Sports Medicine

Sports medicine, also known as sports and exercise medicine, is a medical sub-specialty focusing on physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. Our team at Shenandoah Valley Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is trained in this sub-specialty. We perform thorough assessments to identify the cause of movement-related problems.

Common Sports-Related Injuries

From the serious athlete to the weekend warrior, exercise without adequate rest and recovery periods tends to yield overuse injuries. Orthopedic and sports medicine physicians have expert knowledge of the biomechanics of the body. Our goal is to evaluate, diagnose, and begin a rehabilitation program that will get you back in your sport as soon as possible. Some common sports related injuries include:

  • Overuse injuries
  • Bursitis
  • Stress fractures
  • Shin splints
  • Muscle tears
  • Shoulder or elbow dislocation
  • Tendon and ligament tears
  • Sprains and strains
  • Tendonitis
  • Knee, ankle and foot injuries
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow

Once your evaluation produces a diagnosis, a customized rehabilitation program will be established so that you may return to your exercise safely.

Causes & Symptoms of Sports Injuries

Sports injuries can be divided into two types: acute and chronic. Acute injuries usually happen suddenly, like sprains or fractures, during a heavy contact sport. External forces from tackles, falls or getting hit during a game may cause an acute injury.

Chronic injuries tend to develop slowly over time from repetitive training such as running, swimming or throwing.

Symptoms of acute injury include:

  • Sudden, severe pain
  • Swelling
  • Inability to bear weight on injured joint or bone
  • Tender joints or bones
  • Inability to move injured extremity
  • Extreme weakness
  • A joint or bone that is visibly out of place

Symptoms of chronic injury include:

  • Pain during exercise or activity
  • Dull aches during rest periods
  • Swelling

If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it is best to stop your activity, seek medical attention so that treatment may begin early and follow your doctor’s instructions.

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