Can sports injuries be prevented?

Injury can occur if we are not properly conditioned for the sport or activity. Strategic warm-ups are an effective way to prevent many sport-related injuries. 

By warming up before activity, you increase blood flow to the muscles, enhancing flexibility and preventing injury. 

If you have a big event or game, it is important to build up your activity gradually. You would never want to run a 5K without first training to run a mile. Proper training not only helps build endurance but prepares your muscles for greater stress. 

If you push muscles too hard, it can cause muscle fatigue. When this happens, your forces cannot tolerate the activity, and you become prone to injury. 

How do I treat common sports injuries?

Practitioners recommend the PRICE method for the treatment of sports injuries. The method involves:

• P: Protect from further injury- For severe injuries, protect with a splint, pad, or crutch

• R: Restrict activity– Restricting activity helps prevent further injury

• I: Ice- Using ice reduces inflammation so the body can heal. It is one of the best treatments for the injury. We recommend 20 minutes of icing every 1-2 hours for the first 48 hours after injury

• C: Compression- Compression with a bandage reduces swelling

• E: Elevation– Elevate above the heart to reduce swelling

If you do not see improvement after a few days, then it is time to schedule an appointment with a sports medicine provider. 

Other reasons to seek the assistance of a doctor of orthopedics and sports medicine include: 

• Deformities in the bones or joints

• Inability to bear weight on the injured limb

• Excessive swelling

• Changes in skin color beyond bruising

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Whether it’s post-injury help or consultation about your first symptoms, our orthopedic doctors provide total management of patient care. Contact us find out more about OSA, our doctors, and our facilities, or to get started as a patient.