Sports Medicine
Sports are a fantastic way for people to hone their bodies and enjoy entertainment at the same time. It is well known that sports also have significant psychological benefit to those who participate in them. However, whenever physical activities are involved, there is a chance for injury. Because of this, there is a branch of care called sports medicine that is specifically focused on keeping athletes and active people in good physical condition.
At Foot & Ankle Concepts, our skilled professionals provide athletes with the care they need to stay at the top of their game.
What is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries. More specifically, it aims to keep athletes injury-free so they can continue their physically active lifestyles. Most sports require a significant amount of physical effort and strain, and even small accidents can result in significant and lasting injuries. Sports medicine has three core tenets:
Prevention
The least dangerous sports injury is the one that never happens. By keeping your body in peak shape and knowing your limits, we avoid injuries before they have a chance to strike.
Diagnosis
Prevention is not perfect. As many preventative steps as you take, there is always the risk of an accident. If preventive measures fail and an injury occurs, our physicians are ready to identify your injury and provide an appropriate treatment plan.
Maintenance
Athletes often return to their activities after recovering from an injury. However, that path can sometimes take time. Proper rehabilitation is crucial to healing injuries and restoring your body to avoid future injuries. Once you return to health, it is important to monitor areas of prior injury.
What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries?
- Sprained ankles
- Knee injuries
- Pulled groin
- Hamstring strains
- Shin splints
- ACL tears
- Tennis elbow
- Concussion
Though these are the most common injuries, nearly every bone and joint in your body can experience a sports-related injury. Our physicians are experts in identifying and helping you work through your injury.
Our Focus On Prevention
Though accidents can and often do happen, taking preventative steps can keep away most sports injuries. Below are some of the ways our specialists work with patients to prevent injury.
Know Your Activity
Technique is everything when it comes to sports. Not only does proper technique ensure better performance, but it keeps your body safer as well. Improper technique can not only hamper your skill, but it can quickly lead to injury. Knowing the way your body works and how it can move safely is the first step in preventing injury. Be sure to know how to warm up and cool down safely is also key.
Know Your Tools
Most sports require some sort of equipment as part of the activity. Using deficient or faulty sports equipment is another common cause of injuries. This is especially true for protective gear and shoe gear.
Know Your Limits
It is tough news, but we can’t do everything. Our bodies are not machines and therefore have set limits. Knowing when you are approaching those limits is vital if you want to avoid injury.
Injury Care and Rehabilitation
When an injury does occur, it is essential to receive timely and professional treatment. By seeing a doctor as soon as you receive an injury, you can have an expert guide you along to full recovery. Minor injuries may resolve with rest and taking time off. For others, physical therapy and rehabilitation may be needed as well. More severe injuries may even require surgical intervention to fully recover. By meeting with our experts, you can learn what your path to full recovery will look like.
Physical Therapy
Whether it is for a couple weeks or several months, the goal of physical therapy is to get you back into your sport. It may take time and dedication, but our sports experts work with you every step of the way. We want you to feel like you are making progress to returning to your life.Rehabilitative care also equips you with further knowledge about your body. You will learn how your muscles and joints work on a deeper level. When you return to your sport, you will be able to take additional preventative steps.
Surgery
For certain injuries, surgery can be the best option for a full recovery. Before deciding on surgery, our physicians expertly examine your injury and determine what course of treatment is best for your situation. We will always provide you with a fully-informed treatment plan so you are in the decision-making process.
Schedule a Consultation Today.
We are ready to help you take your sports game to the next level. Whether you need treatment for an injury or want to learn preventative measures, schedule a consultation with us today. Our experts at Foot & Ankle Concepts have helped numerous athletes get back on their feet and return to the activities they love. Don’t let an injury keep you down. Call us at whichever of our seven locations is nearest to you!
