While sports and various physical activities are an excellent way to stay fit and gain mood-boosting endorphins, they present the risk of injury. Sports medicine doctors, like members of the team at Florida Wellness Medical Group, provide specialized care for sports injuries. Their goal is to protect your health while helping you return to the field, court, or rink faster.
Some of the most common injuries that sports medicine doctors treat are:
Knee Injuries
Among athletes, the knees are particularly vulnerable to injuries, including:
- ACL tears, which occur when the ligament that connects the shinbone and thigh bone is torn
- Patellar tendinitis, occurs when the tendon in the patella, which connects the kneecap and shinbone, becomes inflamed
- Torn meniscus, which occurs when the meniscus, a pad of cartilage in the knee is torn, causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness
Sprains
Sprains are extremely common, especially among athletes. This injury develops when a ligament (the type of tissue that connects two bones in a joint) is stretched or torn. Athletes tend to experience sprains from overstretching a ligament with extreme movement and may need sports medicine treatment to help the ligament heal properly.
Dislocated Joints
When a joint is dislocated, it means that one of the bones in the joint pops out of its normal alignment. This injury most commonly affects the shoulder, but can also impact the knees, hips, and elbows. Sometimes, the joint may immediately pop back in the joint, but proper treatment is important to address the resulting injury to the surrounding tissues. Other times, a sports medicine doctor will need to safely pop the joint back into place.
At Florida Wellness Medical Group, we’re proud to offer top-of-the-line integrative care for sports injuries. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!