Sports Medicine

At The Orthopedic Center we are experts in the treatment and rehabilitation of sports related injuries and conditions.

Whether you are a hard-core competitive athlete, a weekend warrior or just get hurt chasing the grandchildren, The Orthopedic Center providers are expert in the diagnosis and treatment of many sports related injuries.

Our goal is your rapid and safe return to the activities you love. We provide non-surgical and surgical management to acute and chronic injuries.

Some of the most common injuries include ankle sprain or strains, groin pulls, hamstring strain, shin splints, knee meniscal tears, knee ligament tears (ACL tears), runner’s knee (pain behind the kneecap), tennis elbow, shoulder sprain, patellar dislocations, and low-back pain among others.

Sprains are basically injuries to the connecting collagen between bones in a joint. Strains are injuries to muscle fibers or tendons, which anchor muscles to bones.

The occurrence of sports injuries is often beyond our control, however, there are ways to mitigate and reduce the frequency and severity of these injuries by following some basic advice. First, we must gradually condition ourselves to the activity by consistently increasing the intensity and duration of the activity until you reach your goals. Before you start your workout, a gentle warm-up and stretching session is mandatory.

Your ability to overcome your body’s pain during this process will determine your likelihood of getting injured. Pain is a natural response of your body to excessive use therefore ignoring it too long will lead to overuse injuries. Learn to recognize when you have reached your comfort level and allow your body to recover.

“PRICE” THERAPY

Most sports injuries are minor and can be treated at home by following the “PRICE” principle: PROTECT, REST, ICE, COMPRESS AND ELEVATE.

• PROTECT: Prevent further injury by using crutches or placing the extremity in a temporary sling
• RESTRICT: Restrict activity by leaving the game and resting
• ICE: The application of cold compresses will diminish pain and decrease some of the swelling. Use for 10
• COMPRESS: If possible, the application of an elastic bandage may help reduce swelling. Make sure it is not too tight as this will cause more swelling by decreasing the blood return.
• ELEVATE: If possible, elevate the injured extremity above the heart to help reduce swelling.

When to get medical attention

It’s OK to put up with some initial discomfort, but don’t ignore a serious injury. If you suspect a serious injury or if you have any of these signs, see a doctor:

• The pain is not controlled by the “PRICE” therapy and over-the-counter analgesics.
• There is a deformity in the joint or the extremity. It looks warped or moves abnormally.
• You cannot bear weight or can’t use the limb without it not supporting you or buckling.
• There is excessive swelling
• Your skin is very discolored or severely bruised
• It’s not getting any better after a few days of PRICE therapy

Sports Injuries That May Need Surgery

Depending on your age, fitness level and medical history, certain sports injuries will result in better outcomes when treated surgically. More often than not, surgical management will be best performed near the time of the injury. Delaying surgical treatment when is indicated may result in additional difficulty in the repair process. Some examples of such injuries are:

• Anterior cruciate ligament tear (ACL)
• Unstable meniscal tear
• Knee dislocation
• Achilles tendon rupture
• Biceps tendon rupture
• Unstable joint dislocation
• Severe hamstring rupture
• Rotator cuff tear

We advise that you consult with a provider at The Orthopedic Center to make sure your injury can be safely treated without the need for surgery. Only an orthopedic surgeon can determine if surgery is an option and whether you are a surgical candidate or not.