Sports medicine doctors specialize in diagnosing and treating activity-induced injuries, namely musculoskeletal injuries and concussions. A sports doctor doesn’t only treat athletes: If you have sustained a musculoskeletal injury or chronic pain from work, a hobby, or everyday tasks, a sports medicine doctor is the right type of physician for you to see.
A sports medicine doctor can also help you learn proper movement techniques, and have you partner with a physical therapist so you can learn how to prevent injuries from occurring in the first place. Let’s talk about some of the main types of injuries a sports medicine doctor can treat, and where you can go in San Antonio and South Texas to see an orthopedic expert for your sports injury.
Injuries Frequently Treated by a Sports Medicine Doctor
Some of the most common conditions that are diagnosed and treated by a sports doctor include the following:
Joint Dislocation
A joint dislocation occurs when the bones in a joint become separated or forced out of proper position. The most common joint dislocations affect the finger, shoulder, elbow, knee, jaw, and hip joints.
Bone Fracture
A fracture is a broken bone. Fractures range from thin, hairline cracks in your bone (such as in osteoporosis) to complete separation of the bone into multiple pieces. The most common fractures in sports affect the ankles, feet, hands, wrists, and collarbones.
Ligament Tear
A ligament is thick tissue that holds two bones together, strongly yet flexibly, in a joint. When a ligament is overstretched or torn, this injury is called a sprain. (Contrast this with a strain, which is when a muscle or tendon becomes overstretched or torn.) The most common ligament tears affect the knees, particularly a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) or torn PCL (posterior cruciate ligament).
How to Avoid Injury
A sports medicine doctor can help you avoid injuries in the future. Here are a few practices that they may recommend:
Always Warm Up and Cool Down
Warmup exercises and stretches allow your body to get loose and warm in preparation for physical activity, so your muscles will not experience shock from the movements. Similarly, cool-down stretches after a workout help your body relax and transition from heavy activity to low activity.
Use Proper Form and Equipment
When you start playing a sport, be sure to use equipment that is suitable for what you’re playing. This involves wearing well-fitting shoes and proper attire, and using the appropriate safety equipment such as helmets and pads. Also, learn how to perform well: Improper posture and movements can stress your muscles and joints unnecessarily, which then leads to injuries.
Pace Yourself and Know Your Limits
Increasing your intensity too quickly can lead to muscle, tendon, ligament, and bone injuries. As you grow stronger and more adept at the proper motions for your activity, that’s when you can begin to increase the intensity of your workout or sport.
Sports Medicine Doctor in San Antonio, TX
If you’re looking for a sports medicine doctor in San Antonio and South Texas, look no further than the Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine. Our board-certified sports doctors can conduct an assessment of your fitness and performance, and give you a comprehensive plan tailored to your sport or to address an injury.
If you would like to learn more or to request an appointment with one of our orthopedic doctors, call us today at (210) 692-7400 or fill out our secure online appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
