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Sports Medicine

Sports medicine or exercise medicine (SEM) is a medical specialty that involves the treatment of injuries that occur during sports participation, exercise, or any other type of physical activity. The sports medicine physicians at Center for Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Surgery have received advance training and education in the intricacies of the musculoskeletal system. They treat all manners of sports injuries including acute and overuse injuries.

Acute sports injuries are typically the result of a single traumatic occurrence, such as a hard fall or sharp blow. They include broken bones (fractures), dislocated joints, and sprained or torn tendons, ligaments or muscles.

Overuse injuries, which are the most common sports injuries, occur over time. Because overuse injuries happen gradually, they can be overlooked and worsen as activity continues. An important component of CSMOS sports medicine is dedicated to the prevention of sports injuries so that our patients can continue to enjoy active, healthy and pain-free lifestyles.

Common Sports Injuries

Knee Injuries

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear: An ACL tear can occur due to sudden force to the knee, such as pivoting, twisting, or landing hard during sports or exercise. During physical activity, this may happen while changing directions or stopping suddenly. A torn ACL causes instability in the knee joint and often requires ACL reconstruction, which can be performed arthroscopically in most cases.
  • Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Tear: A torn MCL can occur from a sharp blow to the outer knee. If the ligament becomes separated from the bone, surgery may be required. MCL repair involves anchoring the torn ligament to the bone.
  • Meniscus Tear: A torn meniscus can occur during simple activities and is more common with age. A meniscus tear can cause instability, pain, swelling, or stiffness. Arthroscopic surgical options can include suturing torn pieces, trimming the torn portion, or meniscus removal.

Hand, Elbow and Shoulder Injuries

  • Labral Tears: Shoulder cartilage can become torn due to excessive overhand motion in sports, such as pitching, throwing, swimming or serving.Arthroscopic surgery for labral tears may involve removing or reattaching the torn portion of the labrum.
  • Rotator Cuff Tear: Rotator cuff muscles or tendons can become torn due to repetitive arm motion. If torn completely, surgical repair is typically required and can involve reattachment or trimming of the torn tissue.
  • Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Injury (Separated Shoulder): The AC joint can become sprained, bruised or completely torn by a sharp blow or fall directly on the shoulder. When ligaments are torn, surgical repair may be required and may involve realigning the shoulder and repairing the ligaments.
  • Dislocated Shoulder: The ball and socket joint of the shoulder can become completely or partially separated. A complete dislocation requires prompt medical attention. Shoulder dislocation injuries can recur and necessitate arthroscopic shoulder surgery to repair and stabilize the shoulder joint.
  • Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury: UCL injuries often occur as a result of repetitive stress to the elbow, such as during long-term pitching. When the UCL becomes too stretched, the arm bones are unable to stay together during the repetitive throwing motion. UCL reconstruction, also known as Tommy John surgery, involves using a tendon from another area of the body to reinforce the ligament.
  • Wrist Fractures: Wrist fractures can occur with just about any athletic activity but are commonly seen in athletes like snowboarders or rollerbladers who fall backward and use their hands to catch themselves.
  • Boutonniere Deformity: Fingers can suffer when this condition causes the tendon that lifts the finger to become bent in place and can affect both the middle and fingertip joint. If this injury is chronic, surgery may be needed.

Foot & Ankle Injuries

  • Inversion Ankle Sprains: This common sports injury can damage the ankle ligaments and can be associated with peroneal tendon injuries and fractures.
  • Ankle, Metatarsal and Midfoot Fractures: Individuals with a more serious fracture may require surgery to repair the fracture as well as any ligaments, tendons and muscles that have been damaged.

When Should I See a Sports Medicine Doctor?

Sports medicine is not reserved for professional or amateur athletes. Anyone who engages in any physical activity can incur an acute or chronic injury that can be successfully treated by a sports medicine specialist. The SEM doctors at CSMOS are trained to treat conditions from mild to severe that affect the bones, tendons, joints, muscles, and ligaments.

A sports injury can often be treated non-surgically, and our doctors make every effort to use conservative measures whenever possible. In cases that do require surgery, we utilize the most advanced techniques available, including minimally invasive procedures which can allow for faster recovery times and fewer complications.

Symptoms that may indicate that you should see a sports medicine specialist include:

  • Swelling, locking, or instability of a joint
  • Pain that is not alleviated by rest, ice or pain medication
  • Pain or weakness that increases with activity
  • Pain that interrupts sleep
  • Range of motion problems with arm, leg or joint
  • Tingling, burning, or numbness
  • Any musculoskeletal condition that limits daily activities or athletic performance

The sports medicine and sports exercise medicine specialists at CSMOS are keenly aware that any injury can limit participation in daily activities. Our goal is to provide high-quality care combined with the most advanced medical techniques to help every patient return to a pain-free, active lifestyle. Call today to schedule an appointment or click here for online scheduling options.

Call (423) 624-2696