SPORTS MEDICINE

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained sports medicine specialists work closely with all types of athletes, from professionals to weekend warriors, to help you heal and get back to the activities you love.

Participating in sports can result in wear-and-tear on the body and lead to orthopaedic injuries. Many athletes are susceptible to injuries that include stress fractures and chronic pain, as well as tearing or stretching of internal structures. Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopaedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of these injuries. The goal of treatment is to heal and rehabilitate your injury so you can quickly return to your previous level of activity.  Treatment for these conditions can involve surgery, orthotics, physical therapy and rest.

Our physicians work together to help you regain maximum use of your injured limb or joint. A sports injury is typically treated by a physician, orthopaedic surgeon, rehabilitation specialist, athletic trainer and physical therapist, all of whom have specialized training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports injuries.

Common injuries treated in sports medicine include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Compartment syndrome
• Fractures
• Heat exhaustion
• Muscle contusions (bruises)
• Muscle cramps
• Shin splints
• Sprains and strains
• Stress fractures
• Torn tendons and ligaments

Sports injuries are often repaired with arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and sometimes treat joint injuries and disease through small incisions in the skin.

In order to prevent sports injuries, it is important for athletes to take care of themselves before, during and after physical activity. This helps to ensure long-term athletic health. Some of the most effective injury prevention tips include:

• Staying hydrated
• Taking time to rest
• Not working out on an empty stomach
• Warming up before exercising
• Increasing activity levels gradually

Seeking proper medical care at the first sign of a sports injury is important, as continued activity can lead to even more damage.

CHAD HANSON, DO

GREG HOLT, M.D.

VICTOR PALOMINO, D.O.

YOGESH MITTAL, M.D.