Sports–whether professional or amateur–cause a number of acute injuries to enthusiasts of all ages. Whether you have a sudden problem, such as a shoulder dislocation, or a repetitive motion injury, such as tendonitis, your sports medicine physician in Austin, TX, is your go-to healthcare provider. Here is more about common sports injuries, their treatments and ways to prevent them.
What Are Some Common Sports Injuries?
The most common sports injuries involve the musculoskeletal system–that is, your bones, tendons, ligaments, muscles and joints. Upon sudden impact or even over time with repetitive motion or impact, these important structures can:
- Break
- Sprain
- Tear
- Dislocate
- Become swollen and inflamed
- Lose strength, flexibility and range of motion
As examples, here are five sports injuries Dr. Carolyn Hyde sees frequently in her Austin, TX, office:
- Ankle sprain and instability, a tearing or stretching of the ankle ligaments, typically on the outer aspect of the ankle
- ACL tear in the knee, an actual split or rip in the cross-like ligament which connect the thigh bone to the shin
- Rotator cuff tear, a weakening of or rip in the muscles and tendons which operate the shoulder joint
- Tennis elbow, inflammation and damage to the forearm muscles due to repetitive motion
- Shoulder dislocation and instability which often stems from frequent motions, such as lifting, or from a hard impact or fall
There are several other kinds of sports injuries as well. Fortunately, Dr. Hyde has many years of experience in assessing and treating the symptoms associated with the simplest to the most complex sports injuries.
How Is a Sports Injury Assessed and Treated?
A sports injury is assessed and treated either in the hospital emergency room or at your sports medicine clinic. Initially, this involves a complete physical examination, followed by imaging tests, such as X-rays or MRI scans, to determine the location and extent of the injury. Dr. Hyde also will review your medical history and discuss any previous injuries or underlying conditions which may affect your recovery.
Once the injury has been assessed, treatment can begin. This may include rest, cold or heat therapy, compression, elevation, and physical therapy exercises to help strengthen and heal the affected area. In some cases, bracing, casting or even surgery may be required for more severe injuries.
After treatment for your sports injury begins, be sure to follow through with any prescribed physical therapy. Also, keep follow-up appointments with Dr. Hyde so she can monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments to your particular treatment plan.
How Can I Prevent Sports Injuries?
No one can prevent all sports injuries all the time. Even professional athletes who have professional trainers and receive the proper conditioning regimens cannot stay injury-free throughout their careers.
That said, any and all sports participants can apply some commonsense injury management strategies to stay healthy and in the game. These strategies include:
- Warming-up and stretching before working out
- Wearing the proper sports gear and using the right equipment
- Staying adequately hydrated
- Using the right techniques to reduce stress and strain on bones, joints and soft tissues
- Getting enough sleep on a regular basis
- Resting between workouts or games
- Eating a balanced diet
- Limiting alcohol
- No smoking
Additionally, never participate in your favorite sport when you are in pain or think you may be injured. If you do sprain an ankle, for instance, use proper RICE first aid protocol and get medical help.
RICE first aid protocol includes:
- Rest
- Ice to the affected body part
- Compression, if appropriate, with an elastic bandage
- Elevation above the level of the heart to reduce pain and swelling
Seeing the Best Sports Medicine Physician in Austin, TX
All it takes is a phone call to All-star Orthopedics of Austin. Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic specialist, Dr. Carolyn Hyde, will assess your injury, and with her decades of experience, she will guide you through expert treatment and recovery.
If you need evaluation for an injury or wish to learn ways to train more efficiently and prevent future problems, give us a call at (512) 346-4933. We will set you up with a personalized consultation with Dr Hyde.
Whether you simply need a brace, some physical therapy or more complex care, such as arthroscopic surgery or innovative PRP injection therapy, Dr. Hyde can help. Call today or request your appointment here.
