When Should You Seek Sports Injury Care?

Sports injuries range from minor bruises and sprains to more severe fractures and wounds. While some sports injuries seem minor, they can worsen over time without proper treatment and cause permanent damage. Knowing when to seek proper sports injury care is crucial to ensure a proper diagnosis, treatment, and timely recovery.

Top signs it is time to seek sports injury care

Severe pain and discomfort

One of the most common signs patients should seek sports injury care is severe pain or discomfort well after the initial impact or injury. This could be sharp, intense, constant, or intermittent dull pain when performing certain activities or movements. It is important to recognize that prolonged pain can indicate a more serious underlying condition, such as a shin splint or sciatica.

Shin splints

Shin splints, also known as medical tibial stress syndrome, are common injuries among athletes, particularly runners and those involved in high-impact sports, such as football or soccer. This condition causes pain along the shinbone and can significantly impact daily performance as well as any training one intends to resume.

Sciatica

Sciatica is pain radiating along the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back through the hips down each leg. It occurs when the sciatic nerve is compressed or irritated, often due to a herniated disc, spinal stenosis, or a muscle spasm. This condition can cause a tremendous amount of pain and immobility. Often, one can experience sciatica after performing in a sport such as rowing, tennis, or golf. Seeking sports injury care can provide targeted treatments to alleviate pain, enhance mobility, and promote overall healing.

Joint instability

Likewise, if one is experiencing joint instability or cannot bear weight on a limb, it is a red flag for a hidden fracture, ligament tear, or dislocation. The affected joint may appear swollen, deformed, or discolored. Seeking prompt, professional sports injury care can prevent further damage and promote healing with appropriate immobilization, regenerative medicine, physical therapy, or a separate referral to a specialist.

Achilles tendon tear

An Achilles tendon tear can be extremely painful at the back of the leg or ankle and devastating for athletes. It often occurs during activities that require explosive movements, such as track runners, baseball players, or basketball players. In some cases, direct trauma to the back of the leg can also cause the tear. Often, when the tendon tears, one can hear a "snapping" or "popping" sound and then experience difficulty walking and performing activities that require pushing off the leg or ankle.

Visible deformity

Sometimes, the initial impact or injury leaves a more obvious condition, such as a full compound fracture or dislocation. While compound fractures require emergency medical services prior to extended care, manipulating the affected area independently can lead to further damage and complications. Therefore, consulting medical professionals equipped with appropriate expertise and machinery for proper assessment, treatment, and recovery is highly recommended.

Open wounds

Wounds or lacerations likely require emergency medical services prior to rehabilitation methods. This is because they pose a higher risk of infection and permanent damage. If the wound is bleeding profusely and cannot be easily controlled with direct pressure, it may require stitches or other closure techniques.

Inflammation and infections

If an injury becomes infected, it may present with redness, increasing pain, warmth to the area, swelling, and discharge. Infections can quickly worsen and spread to other areas of the body, resulting in severe and sometimes irreversible consequences. Additionally, if one shows signs of inflammation, tingling, numbness, severe weakness, or loss of sensation, they should be evaluated promptly to rule out nerve damage or other serious conditions.

What to expect during a medical evaluation

With sports injury care, one can expect a comprehensive evaluation and diagnosis, even if they received medical attention prior to the consultation. This process is crucial for determining the exact nature of one's injury and developing an effective treatment plan tailored to their needs. During the evaluation, patients may undergo the following:

• Medical history review: Taking a detailed account of one's medical history, including symptoms, previous injuries, and medications, provides context and identification of other factors contributing to the injury.
• Physical examination: This includes assessing one's range of motion, strength, stability, and any signs of inflammation or swelling.
• Diagnostic testing: Depending on the severity and nature of the sport's injury, the doctor may order imaging tests such as X-rays, MRIs, or CT scans to evaluate the true extent of the injury.

Need professional injury treatment?

Professional sports injury care may help alleviate any pain you are experiencing and get you back to playing the sports you enjoy. Contact our office today to receive a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan for your condition.

Request an appointment here: https://sjrm-tn.com or call Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine at (423) 424-1529 for an appointment in our Ooltewah office.

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