How are Sports Injuries Treated?

Whether you’re a professional athlete, an amateur, or even just a weekend warrior who loves pick-up games, sports injuries are a real possibility. Approximately 8.6 million sports injuries (including recreational injuries) are reported each year. 

In this blog, Dr. Dustin Hamoy explores a few ways you can prevent sports injuries and how sports injuries are treated here at Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center in Glen Burnie, Maryland.

Preventing sports injuries

Conditioning, warming up, stretching, and wearing the proper gear can reduce your risk of injury.  You can also reduce your risk of injury by:

• Getting plenty of sleep (to reduce brain fog and fatigue on the playing field)
• Consistently adhering to the rules of the game
• Investing in quality shoes 
• Wearing the right gear for your sport

Additionally, if you are injured, it’s tempting to play through the pain, but playing on an injury can exacerbate the injury 一 and further delay your return to the game.

Identifying sports injuries

Sports injuries typically fall into two categories: acute or overuse injuries. Acute injuries occur suddenly, while overuse injuries can develop slowly over time. 

Acute injuries can include:

• Shoulder dislocation
• Sprains and strains 
• ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears
• MCL (medial collateral ligament) tears
• Meniscal tears
• Rotator cuff tears
• Torn muscles
• Hamstring strain
• Fractures
• Dislocated joints

Overuse injuries can include: 

• Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
• Medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
• Patellofemoral syndrome (sometimes called runner’s knee)

Both acute and overuse injuries can lead to long-term discomfort, decreased athletic performance, and/or instability if not treated properly. 

Treating sports injuries

The initial treatment for most (but not all) sports injuries involves following the RICE protocol. The protocol  ー which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation  ー reduces pain and inflammation. In some instances, your injury may require emergency medical attention. Open fractures and head injuries should always be evaluated and treated in the closest emergency department.

In addition to general pain control and reduction of any inflammation, more specific treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury you have. For instance, fractures and severe sprains may require immobilization (through cast or brace) as your tissues heal. 

At Precision Laser Joint and Spine Pain Center, we also offer MLS (multi-locked system) laser therapy as an option for treating sports injuries. A 2017 Italian study shows that laser therapy can treat current injuries and, in doing so, reduce your risk of future occurrences. This is especially true in the case of tendonitis. Here’s how the ASA Laser platform promotes healing in sports injuries:

• The light energy penetrates your skin and reaches your injured tissue (muscle, tendon, etc).
• The light energy then stimulates a healing response in your body.
• This encourages new tissue growth. 

As new tissue grows, you’ll experience improved healing times, stronger tissues, and a reduction in pain associated with the injury.

If a sports injury is impacting your athletic performance, we’re here to support you on your healing journey. To learn more about MLS laser therapy, call 410-324-2968 to book your appointment. You can also use our online booking tool to request an appointment.