Sports injuries are common as athletes tend to push their bodies to the limits. Treatment of these injuries requires maximum attention to detail as these athletes will probably strain these parts of their bodies again. Spine-related problems are even more delicate as the spine is critical in determining mobility. Dr. Kevin McElroy of Progressive Spine & Sports Medicine is a renowned physician with vast experience in sports medicine and can offer some of the best solutions and services in this field.
What you need to know about Spine-related Pain in Sports Medicine
Spinal injuries are prevalent in sports injuries. Spinal conditions significantly affect an athlete’s performance and have significant implications on neurological injuries’ susceptibility. Well-coordinated neuromuscular movement patterns and a stable spine are vital in exemplary athletic performance. Three subsystems maintain a stable spine, and they include:
- An active subsystem that includes the muscles and tendons acting on the intrinsic elements
- A passive subsystem that involves the ligaments, discs, and vertebrae
- Neural control subsystem that includes sensory receptors, cortical and subcortical controls distributed in all tissues to execute motor actions and integrate sensorimotor function
Understanding spine biomechanics, strength, flexibility, conditioning, stabilization, cross-training, and conditioning provide building blocks for athletes to enhance their performance. Rehabilitation treatment is based on training to avoid injury and improve performance. The practitioner helps prevent injury and disability by identifying and correcting inefficiencies of movement patterns caused by asymmetries of strength and flexibilities.
The knowledge and skill of healthcare providers have drastically increased over the years with an increased societal emphasis on athletics and physical activity. A team approach to these conditions is the best way to provide the athlete with the best chance for optimal conditions for a triumphant return to the sport.
Diagnosis of sports injuries
Training errors are the cause of most athletic injuries. Rest, ice, compression, & elevation (RICE) comes in handy to decrease the chemical pain from the inflammatory response leaving the main challenge of identifying the underlying dysfunction.
A thorough physical exam, functional movement analysis, and biomechanical assessment provide clues on body movements, revealing muscle imbalances or any joint dysfunction. The physician is expected to be knowledgeable to recognize various sports-related conditions. Radiographic, laboratory and further imaging studies establish and confirm the appropriate diagnosis, thus instituting adequate and correct treatment of the injuries.
Treatment Options
Diagnostic tests via physical exams and additional radiographic tests combine to determine the specific anatomical structures affected by the injury, enabling a viable treatment plan. Treatment options include:
- Physical therapy
- Pain injections
- Acupuncture
- Osteopathic manipulation
- Regenerative medicine
The medical practitioner’s approach to pain relief and patient care determine how fast the patients get back on their feet.
Sports have a lot of benefits, including relaxation, entertainment, income, and physical fitness. The increased popularity of participation in sports has led to a significant rise in chronic spinal sports injuries. This has led to a demand for advancements in treatment plans as many people are now affected. If you have any new or recurring sports injuries, visit our website and book an appointment for our offices in Glen Rock, NJ.
