What Sports Medicine Treats
When you damage your body during athletic activity, exercise, or physical training, you have a sports injury. Some result from a single event, such as a fall or collision, while others develop gradually from repeated stress on the same body part. Sports medicine focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating these injuries. Here’s more information on what injuries sports medicine treats:
Tendon and Ligament Injuries
A sports medicine practice includes physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, and athletic trainers who work together to evaluate each injury. Their goal is to help patients restore mobility and regain strength so they can safely return to their usual activities. Tendons connect muscles to bones, while ligaments connect bones to other bones. Common tendon injuries include tendinitis and ruptures, such as an Achilles tendon tear. Common ligament injuries include sprains and tears, such as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in the knee.
Sports medicine physicians grade these injuries by severity before treating them. A mild injury involves stretching or minor tissue tearing, while a severe injury involves a partial or complete tear. For many mild to moderate injuries, treatment begins with immobilization. A brace, splint, cast, or walking boot limits movement, giving the tissue time to heal.
Surgery may be necessary when immobilization alone is unlikely to restore function. A surgeon will discuss surgical repair when:
- A Tendon or Ligament Is Completely Torn
- The Joint Remains Unstable After a Period of Rest and Bracing
- The Injury Also Damages Nearby Cartilage or Bone
- The Patient Has High Physical Demands, Such as Competitive Athletics
During surgery, the surgeon may reattach the torn tissue or reconstruct it with a graft. Immobilization usually continues after surgery to protect the repair, and physical therapy then helps the patient rebuild strength and range of motion.
Joint Injuries
Joints are the points where two or more bones meet, so joint injuries include dislocations, cartilage damage, meniscus tears, and bursitis. A physical therapist evaluates how the injured joint moves before creating an exercise program based on the patient’s needs. This program may include stretching to improve flexibility, strengthening exercises for the surrounding muscles, and balance training. Stronger muscles can help support the joint and reduce strain on the injured area. Therapists may also use manual therapy, heat, cold, or electrical stimulation during sessions.
Pain injections may also be used alongside physical therapy sessions. Corticosteroid injections are intended to reduce inflammation within the joint, while hyaluronic acid injections may supplement the natural fluid that lubricates certain joints, such as the knee. Injections do not repair the joint on their own, but they may make it easier for some people to participate in their physical therapy exercises.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries develop over time rather than from a single event. They occur when repeated motion stresses a muscle, tendon, bone, or joint faster than the body can repair it. Whether someone develops a stress fracture or shin splints, some common contributing factors to overuse injuries are:
- Increasing Training Intensity or Duration Too Quickly
- Using Improper Technique or Form
- Wearing Worn or Poorly-fitted Footwear and Equipment
- Training Without Adequate Rest Between Sessions
Young athletes may face added risk because their bones are still growing. Treatment often involves rest from the aggravating activity, physical therapy, and changes to training habits.
Benefit From Sports Medicine Services
Sports medicine addresses a range of injuries, from acute ligament tears to gradual overuse conditions. Providers evaluate each injury individually and create a treatment plan based on its type and severity. This plan may include immobilization, physical therapy, injections, or surgery. If you have pain or limited movement after physical activity, a sports medicine provider can evaluate your condition. An early evaluation helps clarify your treatment options, and your provider can explain each step of your care.
