Orthopedics deals with your musculoskeletal system, including your bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Since this branch of medicine covers numerous body parts and health concerns, it has many subspecialties. One of them is sports orthopedics.
Let’s learn about sports orthopedics and where you can go in Dallas, TX, for comprehensive orthopedic care.
What Is Sports Orthopedics?
As the name suggests, sports orthopedics is a subspecialty focusing on injuries and conditions related to sports and physical activity. It’s a branch of both orthopedics and sports medicine.
Sports orthopedics providers treat active people of all levels, from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
They often work with other healthcare professionals, such as physiotherapists, athletic trainers, and dietitians. Together, they provide comprehensive care for athletes.
What Conditions Does Sports Orthopedics Treat?
Sports orthopedics providers treat a wide range of injuries and conditions. Here are some of the most common:
- Ankle sprains
- Achilles tendon injuries
- Knee injuries, such as ACL tears
- Meniscus tears
- Patellar tendinitis
- Shin splints
- Hamstring strains
- Hip impingement
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder dislocations
- Elbow injuries, such as tennis elbow, and
- Wrist injuries, such as carpal tunnel syndrome
How Can Sports Orthopedics Help?
Sports orthopedics providers use different treatments to help patients heal and return to normal activities. Their recommendation will depend on the type and severity of your injury or condition.
Some common treatments include:
- Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
- Physical therapy
- Exercise and stretching programs
- Weight loss, if necessary
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Corticosteroid injections, and
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
Recovery from an injury or surgery can take weeks or months. Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, and do not return to activity too soon. Doing so could make your condition worse and delay your recovery.
Athletes often have to change their training routines and how they play their sport. For example, a runner with a knee injury may need to switch to swimming for a while.
Your provider may also recommend wearing braces or other supportive devices. These can help protect your injured body part and prevent further injuries.
The other two common sports orthopedic treatments are:
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is an essential part of treatment for many orthopedic conditions. It can help you regain strength and flexibility and reduce pain.
Physiotherapy often includes:
- Stretching
- Massage
- Ultrasound
- Heat or cold therapy
- Electrical stimulation, and
- TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation)
Surgery
Orthopedic sports providers will aim to treat your condition without surgery. But sometimes, surgery is the best option.
Sports orthopedics surgeons have further training to perform surgeries on athletes. They understand the unique needs of active people and can help you return to your sport safely.
Some common orthopedic sports surgeries include:
- ACL reconstruction
- Meniscus repair
- Rotator cuff repair
- Shoulder dislocation surgery
- Tommy John surgery, and
- Hip impingement surgery
Recovery from orthopedic sports surgery can take several weeks or months. You’ll likely need to go through physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion.
When Should You See a Sports Orthopedic Provider?
See a healthcare provider immediately if you have any pain or swelling in your joints or muscles. This is especially important if the pain doesn’t go away with rest and home treatments.
You should also see your provider if you observe numbness, tingling, or weakness in your joints or muscles. These can be signs of a more severe condition, such as a nerve injury.
If you’re an athlete, visit your provider if you have an injury that doesn’t heal or keeps coming back. They can help you return to your sport safely and reduce your risk of future injuries.
Top Sports Orthopedics in Dallas, TX
Orthopedic providers diagnose and treat musculoskeletal conditions. They may also pursue training in other subspecialties, such as sports orthopedics. It helps active people, from professional to casual athletes, recover from injuries and return to their prior activity level. Sports orthopedic providers may recommend nonsurgical and surgical treatments to help improve your quality of life.
Are you looking for a clinic offering the top sports orthopedics in Dallas, TX? You can trust Reagan Integrated Sports Medicine. Our sports medicine and chiropractic providers, athletes themselves, will give you the best care you deserve. Call our friendly staff at (972) 503-7272 to learn about our comprehensive services. You may also book a consultation with the best healthcare providers with our appointment request form.
We look forward to serving you!
