Sports Injuries

Sports injuries refer to a range of orthopedic conditions that commonly affect athletes. The repetitive motions utilized by many sports activities put participants at a higher risk of injuring the associated joints and bones. At Southwest Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists, we specialize in treating a wide range of sports injuries, including:

• Ankle sprain refers to the stretching or tearing of one or more ligaments, the tough fibrous bands responsible for keeping the ankle bones in place. They can occur as a sport injury, or as a result of an accident. Twisting, rolling and turning the feet are the movements known for causing ankle sprains. Symptoms of ankle sprains may include pain, swelling, stiffness and bruising. The occurrence of ankle sprains can be minimized with the help of adequate footwear and exercising caution on uneven surfaces.
• Shin splints are a condition that is typically associated with exercise. It is characterized by pain along or just behind the shins. Pain occurs about two-thirds of the way down the leg below the knee, spans several inches, and tends to worsen with activity. This discomfort results from inflammation of the thin layer of tissue covering the tibia, as well as from the bone itself and two of the muscles that attach to it. Shin splints are common in people that begin training after a period of inactivity. Proper footwear while exercising can minimize the occurrence of shin splints.
• ACL tear is one of the most common knee injuries. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament), along with three other ligaments, connects the femur to the tibia. Individuals who play sports that are likely to damage the knee – such as football, basketball, soccer or skiing – are at greatest risk for injuring their ACL. Only about 30 percent of ACL injuries result from direct contact with another player or object. The rest occur when the athlete decelerates while cutting, pivoting or sidestepping; lands awkwardly; or plays recklessly. Symptoms of an ACL injury may include pain, swelling, and instability immediately after the injury, followed hours later by heightened pain and swelling, limited motion, and an inability to walk comfortably. To minimize the occurrence of an ACL tear, it is important to stay fit year-round.
• Tennis Elbow occurs as a result of overuse and most commonly affects tennis players. This condition affects the lateral epicondyle, the area where
  the tendons of the forearms connect with the bony outer portion of the elbow. The symptoms of tennis elbow may include forearm weakness, pain when the wrist is extended, and pain that spreads from the outside of the elbow into the forearm and wrist. There are certain elbow and wrist muscle exercises that can be done to minimize the occurrence of tennis elbow. Proper training is also helpful in preventing tennis elbow.

Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries suffered during athletic activity. The goal of treatment is to heal and rehabilitate the injury so patients can return to their favorite activities quickly, whether it’s Little League, recreational play or a high school, college or professional sport.
Because of the frequent use, wear-and-tear and risk of a fall or accident associated with sports activities, athletes are often susceptible to orthopedic injuries, including a stress fracture, chronic pain, or a tearing or stretching of internal structures. Different activities place different areas at a higher risk for damage, so it’s important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself while playing sports. Treatment for these conditions may involve surgery, orthotics, physical therapy and rest.

Arthroscopy

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and sometimes treat joint injuries and disease through small incisions in the skin. It is often performed to confirm a diagnosis made after a physical examination and other imaging tests such as MRI, CT scan or X-rays. During an arthroscopic procedure, a thin fiberoptic light, magnifying lens and tiny television camera are inserted into the problem area, allowing the doctor to examine the joint in great detail.

For some patients it is then possible to treat the problem using this approach or with a combination of arthroscopic and “open” surgery. Sports injuries are often repairable with arthroscopy. Tendon tears in the knee are frequently repaired in this way. Other potentially treatable injuries include torn cartilage or ligaments, inflamed joint lining, carpal tunnel syndrome, rotator cuff tears, and loose bone or cartilage.

Because it is minimally invasive, arthroscopy offers many benefits to the patient over traditional surgery:

• No cutting of muscles or tendons
• Less bleeding during surgery
• Less scarring
• Smaller incisions
• Faster recovery and return to regular activities
• Faster and more comfortable rehabilitation

Arthroscopy is not appropriate for every patient. Your doctor will discuss the diagnostic and treatment options that are best for you.

Prevention

In order to prevent sports injuries from occurring, it is important for athletes to take care of themselves before, during and after physical activity. This helps to ensure long-term athletic health. Some of the most effective injury prevention tips include:

• Staying hydrated
• Taking time to rest
• Don’t work out on an empty stomach
• Warm up before exercising
• Gradually increasing activity level

Athletes should see a doctor on a regular basis to ensure that they are performing at their peak level and to detect any problems in their earliest stages. Continuing to exercise or play sports with an injury can significantly worsen the severity of the condition.

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For more information, call Southwest Orthopaedic Surgery Specialists in Tucson, AZ at (520) 327-9677. For your convenience, you may Request an Appointment through our web site.