When to See a Sports Med Doctor

When to See a Sports Med Doctor

Sports medicine is not just for well-trained professional athletes who are taken off the field and need to recover quickly. Even weekend athletes who experience pain during exercise can take advantage of the techniques that sports medicine professionals use to diagnose, treat and prevent fitness-related ailments. If you lead an active lifestyle, you'll likely recognize these six most common sports injuries:

Pain or numbness of the Achilles tendon

Fractures

Knee irritation

Shin splints

Sprains and strains

Swollen muscles

It's never a good idea to overcome pain while working out on the elliptical, playing on the soccer field, or doing other physical activities. In fact, this can lead to further damage. Mark Klion, MD, clinical instructor of sports medicine in the Department of Orthopedics at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York, shares home remedies that work and tips for finding a trusted specialist near you if pain persists.

Q: Can sports injuries be treated at home?

A: Sometimes. Pain from an injury comes from inflammation. Try the RICE method, which I convert to RRICE (Relative Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to relieve swelling and irritation. I say relative rest because with many injuries, like swollen muscles, you can stay active and maintain aerobic conditioning during the healing process - but you need to alternate from high to low impact activities. Apply ice within 12 to 36 hours of the injury to reduce swelling, then use an ACE bandage to keep the area tight and stiff. Finally, elevate the limb so that gravity draws excess fluid from the affected area and further reduces swelling - the only thing that can really slow down the rehab process.

Q: When is it time to see a doctor?

A: Sports injuries can be acute, occurring suddenly during exercise, or chronic, developing over time. Although both types can be treated at home, you should see a doctor if the injury is serious - for example, you think you have broken a bone or if there is excessive bleeding - or continues to be painful five days after treatment. Signs of acute injury include bruising, swelling, deformity (e.g., bone dislocation), inability to put weight on an area, and shooting pain. Serious acute injuries, such as ankle sprains or Achilles tendon tears, should be taken to the emergency room. Chronic injuries, also called overuse, such as tendonitis, shin splints or stress fractures result from repetitive training, improper stretching or equipment problems. They cause dull, persistent pain that gradually gets worse. If you are limping, numb, or experiencing less flexibility than normal, you should see a doctor.

Q: What sports injuries do you treat most often?

A:Plantar fasciitis, swelling and irritation of the tissue on the sole of the foot that can occur in any active person, not just a hardcore athlete. Stress fractures, tiny cracks in the bone in the lower leg caused by running or other high-impact activities such as basketball. Runner's knee, pain or a grinding feeling caused by overuse or repeated excessive force on the knee, which is also typical of runners.

Q: How are these injuries treated?

A:First, you need to recognize when the pain you are feeling is more than soreness and something is wrong. Then stop what you're doing. When you overcome pain, you begin a cycle of continued micro-injuries. The healing process usually begins with alternating activities. Then retrain the muscles, tendons, and ligaments that were exposed to the stress so they can heal. Flexibility and strength exercises (or physical therapy) within a comfortable range of motion allow the injured muscles to be subjected to gentle, healing stress. The tissues respond by repairing damaged cellular mechanisms. Surgery is intended for injuries where there is major structural damage to the tissue, such as: B. the complete separation that occurs with an Achilles tendon rupture.

Q: How long does recovery typically take?

A:This process takes between four and six weeks, sometimes longer. I tell patients to expect recovery to take as long as symptoms persist

Q: How can these sports injuries be prevented?

A: Step one is smart training. You want to incorporate strength and flexibility exercises into your program. All of our soft tissues – muscles, tendons and ligaments – respond to the stresses of training by becoming stronger and more resistant to injury. Cross-training also prevents injuries. One of the reasons triathlons are so popular is that preparation for them involves running, cycling and swimming, allowing you to train without overloading any muscle group. You also want to make sure your shoes fit properly and that you are using the right equipment.

Q: How do I find a local sports medicine doctor?

A:You can go to the websites of these two professional organizations, enter your zip code and see if there is a doctor near you: AOSSM for orthopedic surgeons and AMSSM for doctors who provide non-surgical treatment of sports injuries.

Q: If there is no specialist listed in my state but I have a referral, what evidence do I look for?

A: Ideally, you want a doctor who has completed additional training through an accredited sports medicine fellowship after completing their initial training. Also look for someone who is a member of sports medicine societies such as the American College of Sports Medicine and who specializes in your injury or prioritizes life to include fitness, especially your activity of choice.