A few sorts of injuries can happen to athletes at virtually any level of competition or intensity, and overuse injuries are some of the most common examples here. Luckily, there are several ways that the realm of sports medicine can play a key role in helping recover from and even avoid overuse injuries altogether.
At The Orthopaedic Center, we’re proud to provide the best sports medicine services around Tulsa, Jenks, and nearby areas, including sports medicine for overuse injuries and many related concerns. Here are some basics on what overuse injuries are and some common examples, plus how sports medicine specialists diagnose and treat these injuries while recommending ideal rehab techniques – and even provide expertise on how to avoid repeat injury concerns.
Overuse Injury Basics and Examples
So what exactly do we mean when we say overuse injuries? Simply put, these are types of physical injury that happen when a particular part of the body is subjected to repetitive stress or strain without enough time for proper rest and recovery. This can happen in any sport or activity – including non-sports like dance or even simply working at a desk all day.
Overuse injuries can range from mild discomfort to serious pain and dysfunction, and often come with symptoms like swelling, stiffness, numbness, tingling sensations, and decreased range of motion. Some common examples include:
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis): inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the outside of the elbow
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis): inflammation of the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the inside of the elbow
- Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome): pain around or behind the kneecap, often due to imbalances in muscle strength and tightness
- Shin splints: pain along the shin bone caused by overuse and stress on the lower leg muscles
- Plantar fasciitis: inflammation of the band of tissue that connects the heel bone to the toes, often resulting in heel pain
This is just a small list – there is a wide range of different overuse injuries that can occur. They tend to take place due to repetitive movements and strain on certain muscles, tendons, and bones, plus often due to a lack of proper stretching or other essential body warmups.
How Sports Medicine Specialists Diagnose and Treat Overuse Injuries
When you visit a sports medicine specialist for an overuse injury, they will start by conducting a physical examination and asking you questions about your pain and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. They will also review your medical history and ask about your training routine, including the types of exercises or sports you participate in and how often.
In some cases, they may order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds to get a better look at the affected area. These can help identify any potential underlying issues, such as stress fractures or tears in tendons.
Once a diagnosis has been made, treatment options will vary depending on the specific injury and its severity. In most cases, initial treatment will involve resting the affected area to allow it to heal. This may also involve using braces, splints, or other supports to help stabilize and protect the injury while it heals.
Physical therapy is often recommended as part of the healing process for sports injuries. This can include exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the affected area. It may also involve techniques such as massage or electrical stimulation to promote healing and reduce pain. While this is relatively rare for overuse injuries in particular, surgery may be necessary for certain, especially severe instances.
Rehabilitation Plan
If you’ve been dealing with chronic overuse injury pain, your sports medicine specialist will likely work with you to build a personalized rehabilitation plan. This may include specific exercises, stretches, and other techniques to help you heal and prevent future injuries.
Additionally, they may recommend modifications to your training routine or equipment to reduce the risk of aggravating the injured area. It’s important to follow this rehabilitation plan closely in order to avoid setbacks and promote full healing.
Preventing Future Overuse Injuries
One of the most important aspects of dealing with overuse injuries is taking steps to prevent them from happening again in the future. This can involve making changes to your physical activities, such as varying your training routine or incorporating rest days into your schedule.
It’s also important to listen to your body and not push through pain, as this can lead to further injury. Pay attention to warning signs such as persistent discomfort or changes in your performance and address them promptly.
Additionally, proper warm-up and cool-down exercises, stretching, and strength training can help prevent overuse injuries by preparing your body for physical activity and improving its resilience.
At The Orthopaedic Center, we’re proud to offer the best sports medicine specialists around Tulsa, Jenks, and nearby areas. Contact us today for more information on how we can assist with overuse injury recovery and prevention!