A sports injury can happen at any time without warning, no matter how hard you train and try to minimize its chances. Some sports injuries are so minor that they heal within only a few minutes, and you are back in the game quickly – while others keep you out for days, weeks, or even months.
If you are an athlete, there are some sports injuries that can keep you out of playing for many weeks. Let’s talk about a few of the most common injuries, and where you can go in San Antonio to see a world-class sports doctor who can help you stay healthy and in the game.
Torn ACL
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the major knee ligaments that is essential to leg movement and knee stability. An ACL tear can happen when an athlete makes sudden stops, changes in direction, landing, and jumping.
Recuperation and rehabilitation after an ACL tear can take weeks, depending on how severe the tear is. If you opt for surgery for a severe ACL tear, recovery will take about six to 12 months.
Torn Achilles Tendon
A ruptured Achilles tendon in the back of the lower leg, just above the heel, is a serious injury that occurs when this tendon is fully or partially torn. If this injury happens to you, you might hear a pop followed by a sharp pain in the back of your ankle or lower leg.
Treatment for a torn Achilles varies based on your age, the severity of the injury, and your overall health. Nonsurgical treatments include rest, ice application, and taking pain relievers.
Surgical treatment involves stitching the torn tendon back together, or reattaching the tendon to the bone if it became completely detached. With professional rehabilitation therapy, most athletes return to their sport within four to six months.
Complex Bone Fracture
Most instances of complex broken bones occur in the lower extremities, but this can also easily happen in your arms or ribs when playing contact sports. Depending on the type and location of the fractured bone, healing time varies.
For example, a fractured clavicle (broken collarbone) takes five to 10 weeks to heal, while fractured ribs may take around six weeks to heal. In more severe cases of a fracture, you may take up to a year to fully recover.
Hamstring Strains
The hamstrings comprise a group of three muscles that run from the bottom of your pelvis to the knee joint, along the back of your upper leg. These muscles help you bend your knees and extend your hips. Sports like football, basketball, tennis, soccer, and running – which can require sudden stopping and starting – might cause hamstring injuries or strains.
Hamstring strains are divided into three grades based on the severity of the injury. Grade 3 hamstring strains are complete tears of the muscles, and it might take 6-12 weeks or even longer to heal. Grades 1 and 2 generally take less time.
Shin Splints
Shin splints, otherwise known as medial tibial stress syndrome, involve inflammation and pain in the large bone in the front of the lower leg. Runners, dancers, and people in the military are prone to shin splints, and taking time off from high-impact activities can help them recover faster.
Usually, the healing time of shin splints takes around three to four weeks if you give your legs enough time to heal. Early treatment of shin splints is necessary to avoid the development of multiple stress fractures in the shinbone, which might otherwise take a much longer time to heal.
Sports Injuries Treatments in San Antonio, Texas
If you are an athlete who has suffered a sports injury, and you want exceptional care to recover quickly, visit us at the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Our board-certified sports medicine doctors provide patient-centered care, and we employ advanced orthopedic techniques that allow quick recovery with maximum preservation of function.
If you want to know more about how we treat athletes of various sports, contact us to set up an appointment. Call us today at (210) 692-7400 or fill out our online request form now. We look forward to being your sports medicine partner!