Did you know approximately 11 out of 100 Olympic athletes face injuries during contact sports like football, hockey, martial arts, etc., and non-contact sports? These statistics are enough to understand how common sports injuries are.
Orthopedic sports medicine is a subspeciality of sports medicine that is focused on treating athletes’ injuries and sports injuries sustained by physically active persons, weekend warriors, and amateur athletes.
Let’s talk about the most commonly used sports orthopedic treatments and where you can go to evaluate and treat your sports injury in Naples, FL.
PRICE Method
The PRICE method is the first line of treatment for various sports injuries. The PRICE method refers to protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation.
Protection – After a sports injury, it’s important to protect the injured part from further damage. You can protect the injured part by covering and immobilizing it with bandages, elastic wraps, braces, or splints.
Rest – It’s recommended not to use the injured body to prevent further injury. Instead, rest is advised to give your injured part enough time to heal.
Ice – Ice is great at relieving pain and inflammation associated with an injury. You can place ice packs on the affected area of your body for at least 15-20 minutes at least 4 to 5 times a day. Don’t put the ice cube or ice pack directly on your skin, as it may cause frostbite. Instead,wrap it in the towel before applying.
Compression – Swelling and inflammation of an injury respond well to compression. So, wear an elastic bandage that is snug but not too tight.
Elevation– Elevating your injured limb or body part above the heart level can significantly reduce swelling, inflammation,and pain.
Medications
If your pain and swelling are not getting better with PRICE therapy, use oral or topical medication. You can take over-the-counter available nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain. Your orthopedic doctor may also prescribe you some pain-relieving medicines, such as opioids.
There are also over-the-counter available topical creams and ointments that you can apply to your tender area.
Injections
Injection therapy, which involves the administration of corticosteroidsin the injured area, is recommended when pain and inflammation do not get better with PRICE therapy and medications.
Compared to medications, injections provide lasting relief from pain and inflammation. The pain-relieving injections may be guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy.
Your orthopedic doctor may also inject platelet-rich plasma therapy in your injured site, let’s assume knee joint, to boost healing and reduce inflammation.
Physical Therapy
Physical therapy is not only a part of your rehab program after an injury, but it can also help with injury treatment. As a part of the treatment and rehab plan, physical therapy strengthens the muscle surrounding the injured area and increases joint flexibility to improve mobility.
Surgery
For severe injuries that do not respond to nonsurgical treatments, orthopedic doctors recommend surgery to repair the damage. The type of surgery depends entirely on the severity of the injury, type of injury, and site of injury.
Surgery may be done using an open procedure or a minimally invasive procedure.
Sports Orthopedic in Naples, FL
At Joint Replacement Institute in Naples, Florida, we have a highly trained and skilled orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Brian Wallace, who specializes in sports medicine. Our sports medicine doctor will provide you with fast, professional treatment and rehabilitation no matter what sport or physical activity you engage in.
To make an appointment with our sports medicine doctor, call us today at (239) 261-2663 or request an appointment by filling out our convenient online form.
