- Causes of Sports Injuries
- Preventing Sports Injuries
- Immediate Treatment of Sports Injuries
- Common Types of Sports Injuries
At Garden State Orthopaedic Associates, we offer a special focus on diagnosing, treating, and preventing sports injuries. Sports injuries can occur in a variety of settings whether you are exercising, training, practicing, or actively engaged in a sports competition. Our team of orthopaedic specialists, surgeons, and physical therapists diagnose and treat all types of musculoskeletal sports injuries. They have extensive experience working with athletes at all levels of competition and activity.
We utilize a broad range of the latest diagnostic, treatment, and therapeutic techniques in sports medicine to repair damage, reduce pain, and restore proper physical function. In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary to achieve optimal results. We offer state-of-the-art surgical care, which includes minimally-invasive techniques and arthroscopic surgeries to reduce recovery time and minimize the potential for complications.
If you have sustained an acute or chronic sports injury and want to learn more about customized treatment options that can help you make a full recovery, we encourage you to contact Garden State Orthopaedic Associates to schedule an appointment with one of our sports medicine specialists.
Causes of Sports Injuries
Common causes of sports injuries can include:
- Impact with the ground
- Collision with another person
- Impact with an object or equipment
- Improper use of equipment or safety gear
- Safety gear failure
- Repetitive motions
- Excessive strain
- Overexertion
- Improper form
- Over-rotation
Prevention of Sports Injuries
In order to prevent and avoid sports injuries, it is important to follow these guidelines:
- Warm up and cool down
- Stretch
- Strengthen muscles
- Use proper safety equipment
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet
- Practice proper form
- Know the rules of the sport
- Wear proper footwear
- Stop when tired or injured
- Allow your body to get proper rest
- Compete with athletes at a similar skill or fitness level
During the rehabilitation phase of treatment, our physicians and therapists not only focus on recovery from your injury, but also on preventing future injury of the same area and/or other potentially vulnerable areas in the future.
What to Do After a Sports Injury
If you do become injured, it is important to follow the recommended treatment protocol— rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE):
- Rest: When you are hurt, take a break from activities that exacerbate pain and could cause further injury.
- Ice: Apply ice to the injured area four times a day in 15-20 minutes sessions.
- Compression: Wrap the injury to help immobilize the area and reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Elevate the injury above your heart to reduce swelling.
Adhering to these simple guidelines can help reduce pain and prevent further injury either until you feel better or are able to meet with a doctor. If you are aware that you have been seriously injured, it is important to schedule an appointment with one of our orthopaedic specialists right away for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Types of Sports Injuries We Treat
Foot & Ankle Injuries
Sports injuries to the lower leg region (below the knee) are common. The foot and ankle are comprised of many bones, joints, tendons, and ligaments, which can become injured during running, jumping, kicking, weight lifting, and skating, among other activities. The most common foot and ankle conditions we treat are strains, fractures, sprains, tendinitis, and ruptured tendons. Potential treatments our sports injury specialists may recommend for some of these injuries can include medication, braces, casts, orthotics, splints, injections, physical therapy, or surgery.
Shoulder Injuries
Sports injuries of the shoulder are most commonly caused by overuse of and repetitive stress to any area of the shoulder complex. Shoulder dislocation, torn ligaments, injuries to the rotator cuff, and joint damage can cause intense pain and limit range of motion. Without proper treatment and therapeutic rehabilitation, some acute shoulder injuries can progress to chronic problems that may require surgery. Potential treatments our sports injury specialists may recommend can include medication, injections, a sling, physical therapy, or shoulder surgery.
Hip Injuries
Injury to the hip and pelvis, including the joint, muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons of the region, can cause serious and painful problems for all types of athletes and active individuals. The hip bears the body weight and facilitates leg movement and rotation, which can make it prone to acute, repetitive stress, and chronic injuries. Femur bone fracture, iliotibial (IT) band syndrome, labral tears, dislocation of the hip joint, tendonitis, pulled/torn muscles, and bursitis are some of the common sports injuries we treat. Immediate medical attention is recommended when you become aware of a hip injury, as further complications can develop without proper treatment. In addition to rest/immobilization, our sports injury specialists may suggest medication, injections, physical therapy, or hip surgery.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries are very common among athletes and active individuals. The ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and patella (knee cap) that comprise the knee joint can all be susceptible to injury. Overuse of the knee during sports can result in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, which can create chronic knee instability and lead to future complications. Cartilage damage and meniscal tears can also be painful and limit mobility. Injections, medications, braces, minimally invasive surgical techniques, open knee surgery, and physical therapy are all options that can reduce pain, repair damage, improve range of motion, and help prevent re-injury in the future.
For more information about sports injuries and the variety of treatments we offer at Garden State Orthopaedic Associates, please contact our office.