When it comes to involvement in any athletic endeavor, sports injuries are just a fact of life. No matter what kind of protective equipment is worn or what rules are initiated to protect the players from harm, injuries are just a facet of the game that will always be present. Sports require heavy exertion, rapid changes in direction, and physical endurance. While those are all admirable feats, they can also lead to serious injuries that can have long-lasting repercussions if not properly treated.
Fortunately, modern medicine and advancements in science have equipped orthopedic specialists with the knowledge, techniques, and hardware to help athletes of all ages overcome the effects of sports injuries. However, to gain the greatest chance of a full recovery, the injured need immediate treatment from specialists and orthopedic surgeons in Suffolk County, NY, who can prevent further damage and initiate the healing process. Keep reading to learn more about the importance of early treatment when it comes to sports injuries.
Knee Injuries
Some of the most common types of injuries suffered by athletes involve the knee. While the knee performs the thankless task of carrying the bulk of the body weight, it does feature a few weaknesses that are exploited by the stresses of rapid directional changes and shifts in weight that are common in many sports. Because of this, the ligaments that hold the knee together can become stretched or torn, resulting in a serious injury that usually requires medical intervention. If you’ve suffered a knee injury, rapid treatment is critical to prevent further, ongoing damage to the knee joint. For example, when a ligament becomes stretched or torn, it can put additional pressure on other ligaments that’ll increase the risk of further injury. Also, damaged ligaments can create increased damage to knee cartilage, which could induce arthritis and result in a need for a future knee replacement. The best way to prevent complications is to immediately have the knee examined so that your orthopedic specialist can evaluate the damage and determine the right course of action to restore full function.
Ankle Injuries
The ankle is another joint that can suffer injury during the rigorous quick-change motions inherent in many sports. Ankle sprains happen often, and when a sprain occurs it’s caused by a partially or fully torn ligament. Just as is the case with knee injuries, those damaged ligaments result in increased pressure on other ligaments and structures in the ankle, increasing the likelihood of additional injury if untreated. By receiving immediate orthopedic care for an ankle injury, your orthopedist can check the amount of damage and provide therapy or surgical intervention to minimize the risk of long-lasting damage.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries can happen in any sport where a ball is thrown or hurled, as overextension or overuse of the shoulder joint can lead to inflammation, sprains, or tears in protective cartilage. Injuries can also result from physical contact common in sports such as football, rugby, basketball, and soccer. When these injuries occur, it’s important that orthopedic care is provided immediately to determine if there are tears to structures such as the rotator cuff or tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. Failure to receive treatment can not only result in increasingly unbearable pain and limited range of motion, but it can also lead to the need for more dramatic surgical intervention in the future.
If you’re an athlete and believe that you’ve sustained an orthopedic injury, it’s critical to your current comfort and future health status to get it checked immediately. By doing so, you can reduce your risk of future complications and improve your chances of retaining full use of the impacted joint. If you’ve suffered a sports-related injury, contact the orthopedic specialists at Peconic Bay Medical Center at (631) 369-5000.