Sports medicine is an orthopedic specialty, as orthopedists deal with musculoskeletal issues such as sports injuries. Orthopedic surgeons care for bones, ligaments, joints, nerves, and muscles.
This is why it is especially beneficial for an athlete to be connected with a skilled orthopedic sports specialist. Bones, ligaments, joints, muscles, and nerves tend to be specific targets for sports injuries when engaging in everything from individual sports to team and “extreme” sports.
Types of Sports Injuries in Children
According to the latest statistics compiled by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), there are 21.5 million kids in the United States between 7 and 17 years of age who play organized sports. These sheer numbers alone are a near guarantee that sports injuries will occur, so it makes sense that an athlete should see a physician who specializes in sports injuries.
The knee is a strong, remarkable joint and is the largest joint in the human body, but it can experience particular stress and trauma while engaging in everything from track and field to pick-up games to organized team sports. An orthopedist is keenly aware of the problems that can occur when an athlete twists too far, rolls an ankle, or stretches or tears their ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) in the knee.
One of the other types of sports injuries an orthopedic surgeon frequently treats is a broken bone – such as a broken wrist, broken leg, or broken arm. Our specialized surgeons repair injuries like these every day, so our patients can get back to their active lifestyle again.
Preventive Medical Evaluations for Athletes
An orthopedic specialist is not only the best option for treating and operating on sports-related injuries, but they can also be of significant assistance in helping their patients avoid injury. A specialist will create awareness concerning sports injuries like ACL tears, hyperextensions, sprains, strains, and more.
That is why an athlete who is interested in playing a team sport will benefit from a visit to an orthopedic specialist before trying out for the team. The specialist can also examine the patient to determine if there are any pre-existing musculoskeletal conditions which would prohibit the patient from safely participating.
This could save the patient from an injury that might occur due to the pre-existing condition. For instance, if an athlete has a problem with a knee that buckles easily, it might not be a good idea to play a sport that places stress on the knee and causes further trauma and injury.
Orthopedic Medical Advice for Athletes
An athlete will also benefit from specialized medical advice on health habits that will help enhance their athletic performance. For example, muscles need time to regenerate following heavy activity, and an orthopedic specialist can provide helpful advice regarding proper workout methods that can help you keep your muscles and joints in proper balance.
Because an orthopedic specialist has an educated understanding of how muscles, ligaments, bones, and nerves work together, they can also provide specific tips about certain movements and how to avoid overtraining for your particular sport.
Maintaining an Athletic Body
The overall goal following a sports-related injury is that the patient is restored to the greatest level of function possible. An orthopedic sports specialist is the best option for accomplishing that goal.
Orthopedic Doctors in Canton
Athletes often push their bodies to the limit, literally. At OrthoUnited, we treat myriad bone and joint conditions for people of all ages and activity levels, from young athletes who play team sports to retirees who enjoy long days playing golf.
It would be our pleasure to be your go-to orthopedic specialists and to also provide treatment for any sports-related injury.
Call us at (844) 469-2663 or fill out our online appointment request form today. We look forward to helping you achieve and maintain an active, enjoyable lifestyle.