How are sports injuries treated?

How are sports injuries treated?

Most often sports injuries can be treated without surgery with the application of several general treatment principles:

1.      Rest
Avoid the irritating activity or sport until you can go through your normal daily routine (usually less vigorous than sports) without pain or difficulty. This may be only several days; it may require several weeks or even months for more severe injuries. It is important to mention that too much rest can actually be detrimental in certain cases.

2.      Ice
Ice helps for 10-20 minute periods several times a day for 2-3 days after the injury. Ice slows the blood flow at the place of injury and thereby decreases swelling; it also has mild analgesic effects which help diminish pain.

3.      Medication
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (such as Motrin or Advil) help to decrease inflammation, and thereby pain and swelling, at the injury site.

4.      Maintain endurance
While you are resting your injury, you should maintain your endurance by cross training. This includes choosing another form of exercise which does not stress the injured area (i.e. stationary cycling after an elbow injury).

5.      Rehabilitation
Supervised rehabilitation is always the way to go with complicated injuries. The initial goal is to reduce the pain at the injury site, then you can begin to move the injured area. This is done by slowly increasing its movement to match that of your other uninjured joint or muscle. Once full motion (compared to the other side) is achieved, then you may begin to strengthen the area. Light weights can be used and slowly increased until the strength of the other side is matched. Our doctors assess this on a daily basis during your care at our facilities. Our rehabilitation team consists of Physicians, Therapists, Chiropractors, Trainers and Nutritional specialists all working together for your quick recovery.

6.      When to call the doctor
Some injuries are more serious and should be seen by a physician as soon as possible. These injuries cause obvious deformity, inability to move a limb or joint, numbness in an extremity or severe pain at the place of injury.

The above treatments will allow athletes to return to their sports safely and quickly. Sometimes the injury continues despite these treatments and you will need to be referred to one of our trusted network Orthopedic surgeons. Your physician may choose other non-surgical treatment (i.e. prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications or formal therapy). Sometimes however surgery, often is necessary to return to sport.

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