Sports medicine rehabilitation treats injuries and conditions that can affect athletes’ participation in their sports. Sports medicine rehabilitation treats injuries and illnesses that occur during or after sports. Sports medicine Medford physicians also focus on helping an athlete return to sports activities after an injury, such as returning to competition or training.
Sports medicine rehabilitation focuses on helping you return to play or training as soon as possible by preventing or treating the injury or condition. Sports medicine rehabilitation treats a variety of injuries and disabilities that are caused by overuse, accidents or surgeries. These conditions can range from superficial bruises to major injuries like fractures and dislocations.
Here are some common conditions that sports medicine rehabilitation can treat:
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains are common in sports medicine rehabilitation. They can occur from a sudden injury, like a fall or jump, or as the result of repetitive motions like running or jumping, or even training.
A sprain is a stretching and tearing of ligaments in your joint. The ligaments help hold the bones together in your body. A strain is an overuse injury to these ligaments which causes swelling and pain. Physicians can treat sprains and strains with sports medicine rehabilitation exercises to help you recover so you can return to normal activities as soon as possible.
Torn muscles and tendons
Torn muscles and tendons are other common types of sports medicine rehabilitation injury requiring immediate treatment because they are painful and may need surgery if not treated properly. A torn muscle can cause pain, swelling, bruising and weakness in the area where it has been damaged by overuse or injury. A torn tendon will cause similar symptoms but also cause pain when moving around the joint because there is not enough room for the bone to move past its tissue structure (ligaments).
Treatment for tendonitis involves rest and ice therapy to reduce swelling and pain. You may also need physical therapy to restore your range of motion and strengthen your muscles around the joint affected by tendinitis.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a painful condition that affects the joints in your body. It can cause pain, stiffness, swelling and limited movement in your knees, hips, back and other joints. Osteoarthritis usually starts with pain in one joint that spreads to other joints over time.
Torn ligaments
Torn ligaments cause pain and swelling in the joint. Torn ligaments are torn pieces of connective tissue connecting two bones in the body (e.g., a knee ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone). Sports medicine rehabilitation can help you recover from torn ligaments by reducing pain and swelling, strengthening weak areas in your musculature, improving joint flexibility, stretching tight muscles and applying ice packs to aid healing.
Stress fractures
Stress fractures occur when the bone either breaks or sprains due to repetitive stress (e.g., excessive use). Sports medicine rehabilitation can help you recover from stress fractures by reducing pain and swelling; strengthening weak areas in your musculature; improving joint flexibility; stretching tight muscles;
Sports medicine rehabilitation programs offer a wide range of services to people who have sustained an injury or condition while engaging in sporting activities. If you have suffered an injury that has affected your ability to exercise, sports medicine rehabilitation may be able to help you get back on track. Contact SOUTHERN OREGON ORTHOPEDICS & PARAGON ORTHOPEDIC CENTER as soon as possible to schedule an appointment with a sports medicine specialist to help determine the best course of action for your injury.
