Sports Medicine
Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries suffered during athletic activity. The goal of treatment is to heal and rehabilitate the injury so patients can return to their favorite activities quickly, whether it's Little League, recreational play or a high school, college or professional sport.
Because of the frequent use, wear-and-tear and risk of a fall or accident associated with sports activities, athletes are often susceptible to orthopedic injuries, including a stress fracture, chronic pain, or a tearing or stretching or internal structures. Different activities place different areas at a higher risk for damage, so it's important to take the necessary precautions to protect yourself while playing sports. Treatment for these conditions may involve surgery, orthotics, physical therapy and rest.
Specialized Care
As with a sports team, there are many physicians who work together to help the patient regain maximum use of the injured limb or joint. "Players" on the team are typically the physician, orthopedic surgeon, rehabilitation specialist, athletic trainer and physical therapist - and the patient him/herself. Our doctors have specialized training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports injuries, and can help athletes return to their favorite activities as quickly as possible through the most advanced, minimally invasive treatments available.
- ACL Tears
- Compartment Syndrome
- Fractures
- Heat Exhaustion
- Muscle Contusions (Bruise)
- Muscle Cramps
- Shin Splints
- Sprains & Strains
- Stress Fractures
- Torn Tendons & Ligaments
It is important to seek proper medical care at the first sign of a sports injury, as continued use and activity can lead to even more damage. We understand your desire to return to physical activity as soon as possible, and offer a wide range of treatment options to heal your injury and protect you from future injuries as well.
Arthroscopy
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and sometimes treat joint injuries and disease through small incisions in the skin. It is often performed to confirm a diagnosis made after a physical examination and other imaging tests such as MRI, CT or X-rays. During an arthroscopic procedure, a thin fiberoptic light, magnifying lens and tiny television camera are inserted into the problem area, allowing the doctor to examine the joint in great detail.
Because it is minimally invasive, arthroscopy offers many benefits to the patient over traditional surgery:
- No cutting of muscles or tendons
- Less bleeding during surgery
- Less scarring
- Smaller incisions
- Faster recovery and return to regular activities
- Faster and more comfortable rehabilitation
We use arthroscopy to treat many different sports injuries, including torn cartilage or ligaments, inflamed joint lining, loose bone or cartilage, and more.
Elbow Arthroscopy
Elbow arthroscopy is generally used for simple manipulations of the joint, such as in patients with a compound fracture, for which multiple fragments of bone can be removed using arthroscopic techniques; or those with arthritis, who require debridement of problematic bone surfaces using minimally invasive techniques.
The elbow is a common site of injury or disease in certain athletes; arthroscopy allows for thorough diagnosis and effective treatment of these conditions. Arthroscopy allows for less tissue damage within the small area of the elbow, resulting in a reduced risk of post-surgical complications.
Ankle Arthroscopy
Ankle arthroscopy can be used to treat a wide range of ankle conditions and relieve the chronic pain often associated with these conditions so that patients can quickly return to their favorite activities. Arthroscopy is often successful in treating ligament tears, articular cartilage damage, bone spurs, tendonitis, arthritis and more.
Many of these procedures once required an invasive, open procedure that left patients with long hospital stays and recovery times. Patients can now benefit from effective treatment through several tiny incisions that allow for complete visual examination of the ankle.
Joint Cartilage Restoration
Cartilage is the smooth coating on the end of the bones that provides cushioning and support for comfortable, fluid movement. This cartilage can be damaged as a result of injury or degeneration, especially in the joints of athletes, most commonly occurring in the knee, ankle or shoulder. Once cartilage is damaged, it is difficult to regenerate on its own, so surgical intervention is necessary to stimulate growth and allow a quick return to normal functioning.
There are many options available to restore cartilage and regain fluid movement within the affected joint, including osteochondral autograft transplant (OATS), autologous chondrocyte implantation, microfracture, stem cells and others. Most of these treatments involve taking healthy cartilage from another area of the affected joint and transferring it to the damaged area. With a customized rehabilitation program, most patients are able to safely return to physical activity.
