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Five Common Sports Medicine Conditions

Many sports require a lot of physical exertion, which increases the odds of sustaining an athletic injury. A sports medicine doctor plays an essential role in sports injury prevention as well as diagnosing and treating athletic injuries when they do occur. Your orthopedic specialist may recommend more conservative, non-surgical treatments at first; if these are ineffective, surgery may be necessary. Some of the most common sports medicine conditions that an orthopedic surgeon sees include:

Sprains and Strains

A strain involves an overstretched or torn muscle or tendon, while a sprain is an injury to a ligament. Both of these injuries are common among athletes and most often involve the wrists or ankles. Sprains and strains may occur as a result of overtraining or a sudden traumatic injury to the joint or muscle. If you experience a strain or sprain, your sports medicine physician will likely recommend rest and ice at first to reduce pain and swelling. As the injury heals, they may also recommend physical therapy to ease the transition back to regular activity levels.

Knee Injuries

Athletics can be tough on the knees, which contain many tendons and ligaments that can quickly become damaged. Sports medicine doctors can diagnose and treat a variety of knee injuries such as a hyperextended knee, torn meniscus, and posterior cruciate ligament injury. Knee injuries range from mild to severe; a slight knee injury may require nothing more than a few days of rest, while a severe injury may require surgery.

Dislocations

Any joint can become dislocated; when this occurs while playing sports, a dislocation may involve the jaw, shoulders, elbows, fingers, hips, knees, or ankles. People who experience a dislocated joint typically have severe pain and swelling as well as a noticeably deformed shape to the joint. The treatment for this injury depends on which bone is injured. Your doctor may reposition the joint, provide a sling or splint to prevent movement during healing, and prescribe pain medication. Physical therapy can also be helpful.

Rotator Cuff Injuries

Just like knees, shoulders contain many muscles and tendons that can sustain injuries, especially during sports. In fact, in some sports such as baseball, the rotator cuff is the most-used area of the body. This frequent, repetitive use can result in bursitis, tendinitis, or tears. Depending on the type of injury, treatment may involve rest, heat or cold, and pain-relieving drugs, or it may include something more extensive such as cortisone injections, electrical stimulation, or even surgery.

Fractures

Simply put, fractures are broken bones. Fractures may be caused by many different activities such as falls and car accidents, but they are particularly common in athletics. People who experience broken bones usually notice sudden, intense pain, swelling, bruising, numbness or tingling, and trouble moving the injured area. A fracture may require a cast or splint, or it may even necessitate surgery for optimal healing.

If you’re searching for an “orthopedic surgeon near me,” then look no further than Landa Spine & Orthopedic Center. We see these common sports injuries and more every day in our sports medicine clinic. Contact us today to book an appointment and start on your return to wellness.