Arthritis, overuse injuries, and sports injuries are all common conditions that can affect athletes and non-athletes. Being that they are so common, it is important to find an orthopedic facility that specializes in treating them, so you are guided by an orthopedic specialist on how to improve your symptoms, recover from your condition, and prevent it from worsening.
In this article, we will talk about the 3 most common orthopedic conditions that orthopedic doctors treat and where in San Antonio you can get cutting-edge treatments for them.
1. Arthritis
Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints caused by wear and tear on the cartilage between bones, which results in the bones rubbing together, causing pain, tenderness, warmth, stiffness, creaking sounds, and a gradual loss of range of motion. Arthritis is a progressive condition, but efforts can be made to slow its progression. It commonly affects the joints in the hip, knee, shoulder, and hand.
Treatments for arthritis range from non-surgical to surgical methods, including corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation, physical therapy, and knee arthroplasty or knee replacement. The first two are in-office procedures, while joint replacements can now be done as outpatient procedures.
2. Overuse Injuries
An overuse injury occurs from the repeated and extended use of soft tissues. The most common causes of overuse injuries are:
- Poor technique–Improper form while performing work, chores, or exercise can lead to excessive fatigue and strain on muscles, which can easily lead to soft tissue damage.
- An unbalanced training program–When a training program is not balanced correctly with the correct mix of exercises for different muscle groups, one group may be stronger than another or become overdeveloped while other muscles are underdeveloped. This can create an imbalance in strength and stability, which increases the risk of injury due to incorrect form and movement patterns when exercising.
- Lack of rest/overtraining – Without taking adequate breaks in between activities, workouts, and sports, muscles become fatigued, leading to poor performance and an increased chance of injury. Doing too much too soon without allowing sufficient recovery time results in your body’s tissues weakening.
- A sudden increase in the intensity of any activity–The body needs time to adjust and acclimate itself when increasing the level of physical activity to prepare the soft tissues for higher-intensity movements. When you suddenly increase the intensity, it increases the chances of overuse injuries.
Most overuse injuries respond well to non-surgical treatments, such as the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method and physical therapy. Education on proper form and technique, conditioning, warm-ups, and cooldowns are also important.
3. Sports Injuries
Sports Injuries consist of a wide variety of issues that range from fractures and knee ligament tears to rotator cuff tears and tendonitis. Sports injuries are sustained during practice and during matches or games. Depending on the sport, you may be susceptible to specific types of injuries.
As any sports medicine doctor – one who specializes in the treatment of athletic and exercise injuries – will tell you, a lot of sports injuries are preventable. With gradual increases in exercise and intensity, you can reduce the risk of injuries. You can also practice good form, posture, and playing techniques, as well as wear the proper gear when playing sports – all of which reduce injury risk.
Sports medicine doctors take steps to quickly diagnose injuries and begin the healing process, ensuring the patient has a speedy recovery, with minimal chance of complications. They can also provide individualized recommendations to improve athletic performance and return the athlete back to competition shape as safely and efficiently as possible, allowing them to continue enjoying the sport they love.
Top Orthopedic Clinic in San Antonio, TX
The Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine treats the above-mentioned orthopedic conditions and more. Whatever orthopedic issue ails you, we have the right board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon for you, who specializes in treating your specific condition. We work hard to make the experience as quick and comfortable as possible for our patients, and ensure you understand the treatment and what you need to do to maintain good orthopedic health.
To schedule your appointment, call our office today at (210) 692-7400, or use our convenient online request form.
