Common Sports Injuries & Conditions
Houston Sports Medicine
Orthopedic sports medicine treatment can have an excellent effect on an athlete’s muscular strength. Athletes prepare for their rigorous practice schedules and sports events with an intensive training program in order to avoid risk of injury. However, the repetitive motion involved in many sports makes it difficult to avoid some common overstress injuries and conditions in spite of the best conditioning.
Overhead sports involving repeated forceful throwing, such as baseball and football, can over time compromise the cartilage, ligaments and tendons of the shoulder and elbow joints. A Rotator cuff tear, medial collateral injury (baseball elbow) and ulnar collateral ligament injury are among the most common sports injuries affecting the upper body.
Ensuring equal strength in opposing muscle groups of the shoulder and arm can reduce risk of such injuries. Proper nutrition, adequate rest and flexibility exercises can also play a large role in reducing risk of injury.
The most common sports injuries affecting the lower body include cartilage and ligament damage of the knee – anterior cruciate ligament injuries (ACL injuries) and cartilage tear. These types of injuries most commonly occur when excessive force is repeatedly applied to the knee joint, or when a sharp twist forces the knee to turn unnaturally.
Other common injuries treated through sports medicine include fractures and dislocations. These tend to increase when a player is overtired and failing to take the precautions they may normally. They are particularly common in contact sports.
Prompt attention and treatment of a sports injury or condition, however minor it seems, is very important in maintaining stable joints and strong limbs. Damaged tissue and minor fractures left untreated by a professional sports doctor can result in an unstable joint environment and the early onset of osteoarthritis.
Upper Extremity
Lower Extremity
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