The Price Of Playing Sports
Participation in sports offers numerous benefits for physical and mental well-being. Playing sports creates positive experiences and opportunities to compete and develop athletic and life skills. However, the inherent physical demands of athletics also carry the risk of injury. Sports injuries range from minor strains, sprains, and contusions to major ligament or tendon injuries. Such injuries can disrupt performance and diminish the overall enjoyment of the sport. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for a full recovery and a return to peak performance. Here are 3 common sports-related injuries and minimally invasive treatment options.
1. Top sports injury: ACL tear
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a critical stabilizer of the knee joint. Sudden changes in direction, pivoting, or landing awkwardly and off balance can lead to an ACL injury. Symptoms are sudden and immediate, including pain, swelling, knee instability, and difficulty bearing weight. Often, a patient will describe a popping sensation during the injury. ACL tears are common in basketball, football, and soccer.
2. A rotator cuff tear
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles that support and hold the shoulder in place and are vulnerable to tendon tearing from injury or degeneration. While some rotator cuff injuries occur acutely by falling on the shoulder or hitting an opponent with the shoulder, more occur over time from repetitive movements and joint wear and tear. Baseball, tennis, and swimming are sports where athletes are most at-risk of a rotator cuff tear. Symptoms include pain in the top of the shoulder, especially when lying down and raising and lowering the arm or reaching behind the back.
3. Tennis and golfer’s elbow
The elbow is highly susceptible to injury following repeated motions of the hand and wrist. Lateral epicondylitis, or tennis elbow, causes pain on the outside of the elbow, which is associated with swelling and difficulty gripping an object or holding a cup. Medial epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow, occurs on the inside surface of the elbow, causing pain, stiffness, and numbness in the forearm and fingers. Pain is exacerbated by swinging a golf club, lifting weights, or throwing a ball.
MIS to the rescue
Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is a type of surgery that involves smaller incisions and shorter recovery times. Commonly referred to as arthroscopy or keyhole procedures, MIS forgoes a large surgical cut and instead uses buttonhole incisions and mini fiber optic cameras and instruments. The surgeon can make repairs while visualizing the surgical site on a monitor. MIS offers several benefits, including reduced scarring, recovery time, risk of infection, and blood loss. MIS procedures can be performed in an outpatient ambulatory surgical center (ASC), helping individuals avoid extended hospital stays. Consult an orthopedic surgeon to discuss the various MIS options for ACL, rotator cuff, and elbow maladies.
