Sports Medicine

What are the most common sports injuries?

The doctors at Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group treats sports injuries in both youths and adults. Some of the most common sports injuries they treat include:

• Achilles tendon tear or rupture: ankle-area ligament damage; common in basketball, tennis, and football
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear: knee ligament tear; common in basketball and football
• Mallet fingers: finger droops at the tip; common in baseball players
• Golfer’s elbow: elbow tendon degeneration due to repetitive motion like a golf swing
• Tennis elbow: similar to golfer’s elbow, but affects different tendons in your arm
• Hamstring injury: muscle strain or tear; common in dancers and other athletes
• Meniscus tear: torn cartilage in the knee; common in sports where you pivot frequently
• Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear: inner knee ligament tear; less common than an ACL tear
• Pitcher’s elbow: pain from forceful throwing; common in kids who play baseball
• Rotator cuff tear: tear in shoulder muscles or tendons; common in baseball and tennis players
• Sprains: tearing or stretching of a ligament
• Strain: tearing or stretching of either tendons or muscles
• Fracture: broken bone; can occur after either long-term overuse or sudden damage

The experienced doctors at Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group have extensive training in all aspects of orthopaedic care for sports injuries and are ready to help you recover and get back in the game.

What is the goal of sports medicine treatment?

At Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group, the goal of sports medicine treatment isn’t just to get you back to full function, but to help you return to your sport in even better condition than before. You’ll also learn the best ways to avoid the same injury in the future.

Do I need surgery for my sports injury?

Most sports injuries don’t require surgery. The specialists at Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group have five years of postdoctoral training in orthopaedic care, making them uniquely qualified to treat both mild and severe sports injuries.

Treatment is customized for the condition and your needs, so every case is unique. Your treatment may include splinting, bracing, short-term oral medication, and corticosteroid injections. Many patients benefit from occupational or physical therapy, which can help you regain strength and range of motion. Regenerative medicine like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy may also encourage faster healing.

If you do require surgery, your doctor can perform the procedure using state-of-the-art equipment and techniques. Surgery is usually followed by physical therapy to restore you to full function.

If you’ve suffered a sports injury, call Greater Washington Orthopaedic Group or schedule an appointment online today.