If you participate in a sport, you are likely to sustain at least one injury in your life. This injury could be as minor as a bruise or as serious as a fractured bone. Luckily, sports medicine physicians are well-equipped to handle all sorts of sports injuries. Glen Rock sports medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating sports or exercise-related injuries and conditions.
While sports medicine specialists mainly work with athletes, they can treat anybody who requires treatment for a sports-related injury. Here are some common conditions a sports medicine specialist can treat.
1. Sprains
Sprains are injuries that entail damage to the soft tissues. The most common area that can sustain a sprain is the ankle. However, a sprain could also affect the wrist and knee. Athletes mainly experience this concern because of their need to change direction fast.
If your sports medicine specialist notices you have a sprain, they might suggest rest to avoid straining that affected body area. If the sprain causes swelling, ice therapy could help reduce the swelling and numb any discomfort. Other key at-home therapies for sprains include compression and elevation.
2. Knee Injuries
The knee comprises ligaments, tendons, muscles, and joints. Damaging any of these parts is practically inevitable in sports. Various knee injuries have different causes and recovery times. For instance, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury entails tearing the ACL, which is the ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shinbone. Other common knee injuries include a torn meniscus and patellar tendinitis.
3. Separated Shoulder
You get a separate shoulder once the ligament holding the collarbone to the clavicle becomes injured, especially because of impact. Swimmers, hockey, and football players, as well as other athletes who utilize their shoulders, frequently sustain this injury. Based on the severity of your injury, your sports medicine doctor may suggest conservative treatments like rest, ice therapy, or more aggressive therapies like surgery.
4. Fractures
Fractures are complete or partial fractures in the bone. You may sustain a fracture because of a direct blow to the region or a sudden fall. However, you may also suffer fractures because of underlying health concerns that weaken the bones, such as osteoporosis. The two common types of fractures include:
5. Open Fractures
Also known as compound fractures, open fractures cause an opening in the body. These fractures involve bones that poke through the skin after the break. In most cases, surgery is necessary to piece the bones back together.
6. Closed Fractures
Commonly known as simple fractures, a closed fracture is when you suffer a broken bone, but the skin remains unharmed. These fractures stem from overuse or repetitive use of bones, especially in athletes who engage in contact and high-impact sports.
7. Dislocations
A joint could become dislocated or out of position through an accident, direct blow, or collision. Once you suffer a dislocation, you might experience considerable discomfort and temporary immobilization till the bones are back in place. Mild dislocations are reversible with casts or splints, and other conservative therapies. However, surgery might be necessary to realign the bones if you have a severe dislocation.
Injuries are a reality when it comes to sports. You may reduce your risk of sustaining injury through correct form, proper warmups, adequate rest, and utilizing proper sporting equipment. However, avoiding sports-related injuries completely is not impossible. If you want to restore your orthopedic health, and enhance your sports performance, visit a sports medicine specialist.
Your sports medicine doctor will examine your concerns through advanced diagnostic procedures like X-rays, and MRIs to ensure an accurate diagnosis. Although most conditions are manageable with conservative treatments, some issues respond better to surgery.