Orthopedic Sports Injuries
Missouri Orthopedics & Advanced Sports MedicineOrthopedic Sports Injury Treatments
Exercising and participating in sports is good for you, but sometimes you can injure yourself during activity. Accidents, poor training practices, poor physical shape, skipping warm up exercises, or improper gear can all cause or contribute to orthopedic issues. Missouri Orthopedics & Advanced Sports Medicine in St. Louis offers comprehensive diagnosis and care for sports injuries in patients of all ages. Our goal is to help heal the injury and get you back to playing as quickly and as safely as possible.
The RICE Treatment Method
Many sports injuries begin the treatment process with the RICE method – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This simple healing method helps effectively relieve pain, reduce swelling, and speed the healing process. Other possible treatments include pain relievers, keeping the injured area immobilized, rehabilitation, and, in more severe injury cases, surgery. Contact us for a proper injury diagnosis and an effective treatment plan.
Common Orthopedic Sports Injuries
Sports injuries come in all forms, ranging from mild to severe. The most common injuries experienced by athletes of all kinds include:
- Sprains and strains
- Knee injuries
- Swollen muscles
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Pain along the shin bone or shin splints
- Fractures
- Dislocations
Although these injuries are considered common, they can still cause quite a bit of harm if left untreated or treated improperly. Each injury requires its own recovery process, whether simply using the RICE method or needing a surgical repair. For advice and treatment of a sports injury, contact our experienced team today.
Sports Injury Prevention
With the right approach, it is possible to lower your risk of a sports injury.
- Achieve and maintain proper physical condition for your chosen sport.
Also, keep in mind that just because you are in great shape for one sport does not necessarily mean your body is prepared to handle one with different demands. For example, a tennis player is not readily equipped to go run a full marathon, even if they feel they’re in great physical shape. - Wear the correct gear and use the right equipment.
Improper sports gear can easily lead to injury, such as wearing soccer shin guards or football shoulder pads that are too small. - Don’t skip the warm up exercises.
Taking the time to warm-up the muscles ensures they are less susceptible to injury. Be sure to follow a suggested warm-up plan for your chosen sport. - Avoid playing when you’re already in pain or tired.
If there’s already pain present, your body is telling you there’s a potential problem. Playing through pain can lead to a worse injury. Alternatively, when you’re already exhausted, you are less apt to use proper form, which can easily cause an injury. - Give your body time to rest and recover.
Many people believe constant training is the key to success, but if you’re not allowing your body the time it needs to rest and recover, you can quickly develop an overuse injury. Consider rest as an important part of your regimen.
Unfortunately, even with our best efforts, some injuries cannot be prevented. If you are experiencing a pain due to a possible sports injury, contact us to schedule an appointment.
Sports Injuries FAQs
Are Sports Injuries Serious?
Not every sports injury is serious, and many can be easily treated and managed. However, injuries like broken bones, torn ligaments or tendons can lead to long term issues if not properly treated and healed. It is always best to have an injury evaluated to be sure it doesn’t develop into something worse.
What are Acute Sports Injuries?
Acute sports injuries are those that occur suddenly, such as sprained ankles, strained backs, or broken bones. Injuries that are developed over time are referred to as chronic.
Can Youth Sports Injuries Stunt Growth?
If an injury should occur to a growth plate, it could potentially cause the bone to stop growing early, leading to stunted growth. Growth plates are thin cartilage discs at the end of long bones that have not yet hardened into solid bone. Damage can come from a fall or collision during contact sports or other accidents, or overuse due to repetitive training. These injuries can be prevented by varying your child’s activities, ensuring proper equipment usage, and avoiding certain recreational activities, such as jumping on trampolines.
What Sports Cause the Most Injuries?
Sports that experience the most injuries include football, basketball, lacrosse, baseball/softball, and cheerleading. These activities put children at higher risk due to person-to-person contact, extra joint stress, overuse injuries, or broken bones due to falls. Every sport comes with some level of risk, so just be sure to follow the necessary injury prevention recommendations.