Orthopaedic - Sports Medicine

Orthopedic - Sports Medicine

 Sports medicine primarily focuses on injuries related to sports training or exercise. While the primary focus is to diagnose and treat the injury, it also includes preventive care along with performance enhancement consultations and physiotherapy treatments.

This branch of medicine comprises a team of doctors including orthopedic surgeons, physiotherapists, primary care physicians, and diagnostic technicians. They look after an individual’s overall physical fitness and recovery rate and guide them on the best practices to avoid accidents. All sports teams or individual players have a dedicated member who ensures that the sportsperson is in ideal physical fitness.

What Is Sports Medicine?

A subset of orthopedics, sports medicine looks after injuries caused during strenuous physical activities. It helps in restoring primary health to injured muscles and joints. Sports medicine specialists give you wholesome advice on nutrition, supplements, and exercise. 

Besides this, individuals who do not play any sports but have physically challenging work like manual laborers, construction workers, etc. can also develop conditions that require intervention involving sports medicine.

Some Common Sports Injuries

Having an active lifestyle and incorporating some form of physical activity in your daily routine is key to good health.  However, strenuous physical exercises may cause you to develop conditions like the following:

• Sprain – Caused due to tearing of ligaments
• Strain – Tearing of a muscle caused by sudden movement and acute stretching. Most common in hamstrings, lower back, and groin region
• Fracture – Caused by stress in bones and joints due to jumping or running on hard surfaces 
• Muscle contusion – Most common in contact sports, causing bleeding on the skin
• Concussion – Mild injury to the brain caused by a blow to the head 
• Nose injuries – A direct blow to the nose can cause bleeding or fracture or both
• Dental damage – Damage to the jaw caused by a direct blow, motor vehicle accident, or fall
• Knee joint injuries – Caused due to exertion or jumping on hard surfaces

Besides these, excessive sweating and training directly under the sun can cause exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. 

Symptoms of Sports Injuries

While every injury has specific symptoms, some of the common symptoms for all sports injuries are: 

• Localized pain
• Swelling and redness
• Stiffness or temporary immobility
• Continuous bleeding 

When Should You See a Doctor?

If the above symptoms continue to worsen with time and you notice any deformity especially in joints, you must consult your physician immediately. Additionally, if there are no visible symptoms but you are unable to bear weight on your limbs, there is a possibility of some underlying trauma.
 
Furthermore, if the injuries do not improve with traditional treatment within a week, then you must visit an orthopedic doctor near your area and get the necessary diagnosis done.

Request an orthopedic appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

Associated Risks or Complications

If you continue to exert pressure on your joints and do not allow complete recovery of injuries, the condition can become aggravated enough to cause further fractures and other bone-related complications. Continuous sprains in the ankle and other joints will cause loose ligaments which will further require drastic replacement or reconstruction surgeries. 

Suggested Line of Treatment

Sports injuries are painful and quickly escalate in severity. It is advisable to carry a basic first aid kit if you are involved in strenuous physical activities. Additionally, follow the first line of treatment for these injuries: 

• Rest – You must immediately stop the activity and allow complete rest to the injured part to avoid further damage. 
• Ice – Using ice packs on the injury relieves pain and controls swelling.
• Compression – Apply a firm bandage on the injured part to restrict movement. 
• Elevation – Keep the injured area at an elevated position as it helps in reducing immediate pain. 

If you notice bleeding through the bruises, wash the area with clean water, apply antiseptic, and call for an ambulance. 

How Can You Prevent Sports Injuries?

Some preventive ways in which you can avoid injuries are:

• Ensure a proper warm-up and cool-down before and after the workout.
• Wear appropriate footwear with good-quality shock absorbers.
• If you’re working out for the first time or coming after a long break, start slow.
• Work out under a trained professional’s guidance who can correct your posture.
• Do not exert yourself and take sufficient rest between workouts.
• Maintain healthy protein intake in your diet that will aid muscle repair while resting.

In the event of an unavoidable injury during sports or other physical exertions, seek immediate medical help and follow instructions to ensure complete recovery.