For any athlete, from professional and serious competitors to casuals who just pursue athletics for fun and exercise, dealing with injuries is never enjoyable. Luckily there are many resources and professionals to assist you if you’ve been injured, and sports medicine specialists in particular are here to help with many of the most common such injuries.
At The Orthopaedic Center, we’re proud to offer the best sports medicine clinic you’ll find in the Tulsa and Jenks areas, with orthopedic doctors who specialize in sports medicine and treating common sports injuries – while also helping prevent them in the future. Here are some of the most common injury types we see in our sports medicine clinic, plus how our staff assists patients with each of them.
General Sprains
Perhaps the single most common type of sports injury is the basic sprain, which can occur in any joint but is most often seen in wrist, ankle or knee joints. A sprain happens when a ligament – essentially, a rubber band that connects bones together and provides stability for joints – becomes stretched too far, either partially or completely tearing. This can happen for many reasons, from simple overuse to trauma or twisting motions.
If you’ve suffered a sprain, our clinic will offer exercises to rehabilitate your joint after the initial healing period has passed. We also provide bracing and taping services that help keep your affected joint stable during activity while it heals fully.
Strains
Strains are similar injuries to sprains, but instead of affecting ligaments they involve muscles and tendons. As such, strains are often seen in areas with high muscle usage such as the hamstrings or quads. They can also occur in other parts of the body like the neck, back, and shoulders.
Our sports medicine specialists will guide you through proper stretching techniques to heal your strained muscle while preventing future injuries. We may also recommend physical therapy to help strengthen your muscles and prevent further strains.
Fractures
Fractures (or broken bones) are another common injury seen by our clinic. These injuries can range from minor stress fractures to more serious compound fractures that require immediate medical attention.
For minor fractures, we will typically recommend immobilizing the affected area with a cast or splint. More serious fractures may require surgery, and our experienced orthopedic surgeons are equipped to handle these procedures.
Dislocations
Another common sports injury is dislocation, which occurs when bones are forced out of their normal position in a joint. This can happen from a fall or collision during athletic activity.
Our orthopedic doctors will carefully manipulate the affected joint back into place and provide rehabilitation exercises to help restore strength and stability.
Concussions
Concussions are brain injuries that can occur as a result of impact or jarring movements during sports activities. Symptoms can include dizziness, confusion, headache, and nausea.
At The Orthopaedic Center, we have concussion specialists who can guide you through proper rest and rehabilitation protocols until all symptoms have subsided. We also offer baseline testing for athletes to establish a pre-injury cognitive ability level that helps determine when an athlete has fully recovered from a concussion.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries are also common in sports, especially among athletes who repeatedly stress the same muscles, tendons, or bones. These can include tendonitis, stress fractures, and rotator cuff injuries.
Our clinic offers comprehensive treatment for overuse injuries including rest, physical therapy, and proper training techniques to prevent future occurrences.
More Serious Injuries
While these are thankfully less common, sports can also result in more serious injuries such as ACL tears, meniscus tears, and cartilage damage. In these cases, our orthopedic surgeons are experts at diagnosing and treating these conditions to help you return to your sport as quickly and safely as possible.
There may be cases where non-surgical treatment is recommended, but if surgery is required our surgeons use the latest techniques and technologies to repair and reconstruct damaged tissues.
No matter what type of sports injury you’re dealing with, a sports medicine specialist at The Orthopaedic Center can help get you back on the road to recovery. We are dedicated to providing the best care and treatment for all of our patients, helping them return to their favorite activities as quickly as possible. Don’t let an injury slow you down – contact us today for a consultation with one of our sports medicine experts, whether you’re in Tulsa, Jenks or any nearby area. Our team is standing by to take your call!