You don’t have to be an athlete to enjoy the benefits of Sports Medicine

Whether you’re beginning a moderate exercise program, or you’ve been an athlete your entire life, sports medicine plays a vital role in a healthy and active lifestyle. At Plano Orthopedic, we specialize in sports medicine and are here to provide you with complete care!

What is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is an area of medicine that specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to participation in sports or exercise — specifically with the rotation or deformation of joints or muscles caused by engaging in physical activities.

Sports medicine focuses on rehabilitation after an injury to help ensure your return to sports or activities as soon as possible. Since many sports cause specific strains on certain parts of the body, treating musculoskeletal injuries in athletes requires specialized training and skills.

What are common sports injuries?
Sports injuries are usually strains or sprains that occur as a result of either a direct impact or an indirect impact. Injuries related to repetitive impacts from jumping or running are also common.

Some of the most common sports injuries include:

· Muscle cramps: a sudden, intense pain caused by a muscle locked in spasm
· Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprains: damage or tearing of the ACL, or the ligament involved in knee stabilization
· Ankle sprains: stretching or tearing of the ligaments that hold the ankle bones in place
· Shin splints: muscles in your lower leg pulling away from the shin bone or becoming inflamed from over use

What is the approach to sports medicine at Plano Orthopedic?
Prevention is the first step, beginning with preseason physicals and working closely with area athletic trainers, coaches, and the community. Our specialists at Plano Orthopedic also provide rapid response care, with quick and accurate diagnosis using in-office digital X-rays and MRIs.

Following diagnosis, your physician at Plano Orthopedic will create a customized treatment plan that might include conservative treatment, surgical options, and rehabilitation. Once the initial injury has healed, patients begin rehabilitation with the best physical therapists and athletic trainers in the area who monitor individual progress.

Follow-up evaluations are also important to ensure the injury has healed and that the athlete can play without affecting performance or other parts of the body.

What if I’m not an athlete?
Sports medicine specialists can also help the non-athlete and are excellent resources for people who want to become active or begin an exercise program. If you’re a weekend warrior who experiences an injury, the same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to get you back to full speed as quickly as possible.

Call Plano Orthopedic today!
Residents of DFW needn’t look any further than Plano Orthopedic for all of their sports medicine and orthopedic needs. As one of the largest and most experienced orthopedic practices in North Texas, we have the tools, technology and expertise needed to fix virtually every bone and joint in your body! Call us today to schedule your appointment at 972-250-5700 or contact us online.