Sports Injuries
What Are Sports Injuries?
The term “sports injury” applies to the kind of damage that comes about during sports or exercise. They affect the musculoskeletal system—the network of muscles, tendons, ligaments, bones, and tissue that make the body have stability and enable movement. In the majority of cases, they happen due to trauma or overuse.
They include:
- Contusions (bruises). Soft tissue injuries caused by blunt force resulting in pain, swelling and discoloration.
- Sprains. Stretching or tearing of ligaments, which hold the joints together. They often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists.
- Strains. Similar to sprains, they happen when a muscle or tendon (which connects muscles to bones) is twisted or pulled, usually from overuse or overstretching. The most common examples are:
- Tennis elbow,
- Golfer’s or baseball elbow
- Lumbar strain
- Jumper’s knee
- Fractures. As the name indicates, fractures are breaks in the bones, and they can range from hairline to compound. Stress fractures can happen from continuous overuse of the bones, and usually happen in the foot or the leg.
- Dislocations. When a ligament bears extreme force, the ends of two connected bones can separate. Joint ligaments are especially vulnerable to this kind of injury.
- Tendinitis. Tendinitis is the inflammation of the tendons. It usually results from making repetitive movements without the proper technique.
Contrary to popular belief, it is not only athletes who suffer from sports injuries. Many jobs involve physically demanding tasks that may include lifting and transporting heavy materials or repetitive movements, which makes these workers vulnerable to sports injuries.
Types of Sports Injuries
Sports injuries can be divided into two categories: acute and chronic.
- Acute injuries are sudden, like falls, blows, or twists.
- Chronic injuries are usually the result of overuse and develop over time.
“Dr Ashford has been great to work with throughout my procedure. My experience has been better than I expected. I am very pleased with Ashford Orthopedics and have and will recommend Dr Ashford for any orthopedic needs.” —Charles R.
How Do We Treat Them?
Every sports injury treatment is individual and depends on the type and severity of the injury, apart from the patient’s overall health.
At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, Dr. Ashford will assess your injury and determine the most effective course of treatment.
The treatments available in your custom care plan are:
- Viscosupplementation
- Corticosteroid injections
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Knee arthroscopy
- Physical therapy
- Traditional surgery or joint replacement
Dr. Ashford completes his treatments with educational information about sports injury prevention.
Why Are Our Treatments Beneficial?
At Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, the different treatments offer similar benefits. After your appointment with Dr. Ashford, he will decide which course of action is better for your case.
Whichever the case, you can expect:
- Healthier muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints
- Less musculoskeletal pain
- Reduced inflammation
- Less stiffness
- Increased range of motion
- Improved mobility
- Greater strength
Further, viscosupplementation, corticosteroid injections and shoulder arthroscopy are non-surgical, non-invasive treatments for sports injuries, therefore recovery time is quicker and risk and complications are lower.
On the other hand, when non-surgical procedures are not an option because the damage is too large, arthroplasty (replacement surgery) can offer the same benefits, albeit with a longer recovery time.
If you have sustained a sports injury while doing exercise or engaging in physical activity, call Ashford Orthopedic Specialists or book an appointment online today.