Common Sports Medicine Issues We Can Treat
Whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior, sports-related pain or injuries can sideline you and keep you on the bench for weeks or months. The good news is personalized sports medicine helps you recover faster so you can get back in the game.
At OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare in San Diego, Encinitas, and Temecula, California, board-certified sports medicine surgeons David Chao, MD, and Matthew J. Gargulinski, DO, specialize in diagnosing and treating many types of sports injuries.
As part of our comprehensive line of sports medicine services, OasisMD uses a variety of safe and effective sports medicine treatments, from conservative therapies to complex surgery. Here’s a look at some of the common sports-related issues we treat!
Rotator cuff injuries
Injuries that damage any of the ligaments and muscles in your shoulder joint can lead to rotator cuff injuries. Repetitive motions often lead to this common sports injury, including sports like golf, tennis, swimming, and baseball.
Symptoms of rotator cuff injuries include:
- Sudden tearing sensation followed by severe pain
- Muscle spasms in the shoulder
- Pain that worsens at night and interrupts your sleep
- Pain with or inability to move your arm out to the side
- Aching in the shoulder or upper arm
- Tenderness in the affected area
You may also notice that your pain and other symptoms get worse at night and may impact your sleep. At OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare, our sports medicine specialists evaluate your injury and recommend the best course of treatment for optimal results.
ACL injuries and injuries to other knee ligaments
Your knee has four main ligaments that run across it diagonally, and the ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of them. The ACL keeps your knee in place, and it’s also how your bones connect so you can move.
An injury or tear to the ACL is also one of the most common sports injuries. Unfortunately, it typically involves additional damage to soft tissues and cartilage. Most patients require surgery with grafted ligament to repair the ACL. Your OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare surgeon recommends one of three types of grafts based on your injury and needs.
Sports injuries can also lead to damage of the other three ligaments in your knee. Treatment therapies for these knee ligament injuries vary based on the severity and type of injury. Your provider also considers your medical history and personal goals when creating your customized treatment plan.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis results from the inflammation or irritation of one of your tendons, the cords of collagen tissue that attach your muscles and bones. Any tendon can develop tendonitis, but it’s most common in areas that get a lot of repetitive use: knees, ankles, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.
Treatment for this condition depends on the severity of your symptoms, how long you’ve had the symptoms, and the impact it has on your mobility and quality of life. Here are some signs you may have tendonitis:
- Dull ache or pain that worsens with movement
- Irritation or tenderness
- Redness, heat sensation, or swelling
- Grating or crackling sensation with movement
- A lump or hard bump along the tendon
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, schedule a sports medicine appointment at OasisMD Lifestyle Healthcare. The earlier you start treatment, the faster you’ll be back in the game.
Joint pain
The points in your body where two or more bones meet are called joints, which can be fixed, like the joints in your skull, or moveable, like your fingers, knees, ankles, and hips. Cartilage cushions your bones at the joints, so they don’t rub together.
Your joints are where connective tissue, including muscles, ligaments, and tendons, come together to help with joint stability and movement. Sports medicine treats all of the elements that impact your joints.
Sports medicine therapies
The best treatment for you depends on the nature of your injury, your symptoms, your current health and health history, as well as your goals and needs. Your Oasis Lifestyle Healthcare team uses this information to create a customized treatment plan that may include:
- Regenerative medicine
- Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medications
- Lifestyle modifications
- Physical therapy
- Corticosteroid injections
- Surgery
Learn more about sports medicine and how it can help you by contacting the most convenient OasisMD Lifestyle in Southern California for you. Call us, or schedule a consultation online and get started today.