Sports-related injuries are a common occurrence across all age brackets. Millions of individuals participate in various sports and fitness-related activities, and millions of them get injured – whether they’re playing professionally, at the amateur level, or are simply getting exercise.
Basketball players can easily get knee and ankle injuries from the constant movement, footwork, and jumping. Tennis players tend to get injuries of the shoulder and elbow. Weightlifters can sustain back-related problems. The list goes on and on.
In this article, we tackle what we call sports medicine, and how this approach has been integrated as both preventive and curative for active people.
Who Is Sports Medicine For?
Sports medicine is a medical field which focuses on the treatment and prevention of injuries related to fitness, exercise, and sports. Nowadays, sports medicine is universally recognized as an independent, specialized field of health care.
The focus is not only on movement, however. Sports medicine has become very comprehensive and inclusive of all facets of health and fitness. Experts in this field can provide individualized information and recommendations on nutrition, hydration, and even sleeping patterns to help promote optimum levels of physical fitness for people of virtually all ages.
Specialized Medical Treatment for Everyone
All types and kinds of injuries can happen to the everyday person, just from going on a jog or playing basketball in the driveway. Therefore, doctors who have specialization in sports medicine can diagnose and treat everyone and anyone regardless of age or physical capability.
Rehabilitation is almost always involved in treating patients in sports medicine, because this helps the patients to achieve top performance or function again while aiding them in recovering from their injuries.
Common Injuries Addressed in Sports Medicine
Back pain is a widespread problem across all branches of sports and fitness. Back pain can occur due to anything from lifting a barbell with improper form or from your posture when riding a bike.
Medical professionals can help alleviate the pain and stress of back pain through numerous ways such as rehabilitation, medication, techniques on posture, and even simple conditioning and stretches. Your sports orthopedist will explain how to incorporate these into your routine before, during, and/or after physical activity.
Knee injuries are also common in active people, and they can range from mild to severe to career-ending. Professional and non-professional athletes alike can suffer from sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations in the knee area, with pain and swelling being critical indicators of these knee-related issues.
A knee injury can often be prevented by wearing knee braces while you exercise or engage in sports. If you do suffer a knee injury, several treatment options can be utilized, including physical therapy and even rest. Physical therapists often recommend the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation of the leg.
Sports Medicine Doctors in New Jersey
Orthopedic physicians specialize in injuries and issues of the musculoskeletal system of all kinds. Sports medicine does not solely focus on athletes, but also on people who get sports-type injuries, such as a torn ACL in the knee.
If you would like to have yourself assessed for any injury or learn how to prevent any muscle damage, schedule a consultation with our sports physicians at the Orthopedic Associates of West Jersey.
Contact us today by calling (973) 989-0888 or request an appointment online. We offer proper medical guidance, important information about your health issue, and expert care that’s all about keeping you active and healthy.
