Sports Medicine Specialist

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries occur during exercise or sports, including both individual and team activities. These injuries commonly occur because of overuse, direct trauma, or improper form, but other factors like lack of protective gear may play a role in a sports injury as well.  

What are the most common types of sports injuries?

The Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians team treats all kinds of sports injuries. Among the most common are:

Spine injuries

Spinal injuries that can occur during sports include neck "stingers" (shock-like pain in the neck area), vertebral stress fractures, disc herniation, and lumbar strains and sprains, among others. 

Shoulder injuries

Rotator cuff injuries are common in certain sports, particularly those involving overhead movements. Shoulder dislocation can also be a recurrent issue for athletes.

Knee injuries

Ligament damage, like anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, are common in athletes. Meniscus tears, which are an injury to the knee cartilage that absorbs shock, are another common knee injury. 

Ankle injuries

Ankle sprains are the most common knee injury, but Achilles tendinitis or tendon rupture also occur in athletes quite often. 

Elbow injuries

Elbow injuries usually involve inflammation within the tendons of the elbow. So-called tennis elbow affects the outer elbow, and golfer's elbow develops in the inner elbow.

These are only a few of the most common sports injuries. Sports injuries can occur anywhere from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.

What are the signs that I need sports medicine care?

Seek care right away if you have issues including:

• Persistent pain or soreness
• Radiating pain that shoots into another area
• Burning or electrical sensations
• Significant swelling
• Difficulty bearing weight
• Difficulty maintaining your balance
• Muscle weakness

If you suddenly experience pain from an old injury, it's equally important to seek help quickly. 

What does sports medicine treatment involve?

The Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians team starts with a functional evaluation. This involves a physical exam as well as diagnostic imaging to determine the root cause of your sports injury. 

Then, they create an individualized injury rehab plan that can stop your pain while rebuilding your strength.

Many people respond well to injections, like epidurals, nerve blocks, facet joint injections, and sacroiliac joint injections. Injections of cortisone and an anesthetic can reduce your inflammation and pain as you recover. 

Regenerative medicine treatments can be particularly beneficial for athletes who want to recover quickly. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell therapy can stimulate tissue repair from the inside, which may help you avoid surgery. 

The team also offers a wide range of minimally invasive procedures like radiofrequency nerve ablation, indirect spinal decompression, and other options.

Click on the appointment link or call Orange County Spine and Sports Physicians for compassionate sports medicine care now.