What You Should Know About Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a field that provides athletes and active people so many health benefits and treatment all over the world. The fitness industry is becoming more a growing part of society, as are their related injuries. Even with major advancements in equipment and attire, such as athletic shoes, there are many people getting injured while engaging in sports. Often times, they look to sports medicine to help get them quickly on the mend.

This health care field focuses on assisting individuals enhance their athletic performances, recuperate from injuries and avert future injuries. Medical professionals in this field do not only treat athletes, but also anyone else suffering from sports or activity-related injuries.

Sports medicine doctors are orthopedic surgeons or non-surgical key care experts who specialize in musculoskeletal injuries, diabetes and hypertension in athletes and active but non-athletic individuals. Below are some important factors regarding sports medicine.

Which experts are in in this field?

Sport medicine specialists have specialization in sports science and Exercise. Experts in this field are as follows:

*Physical Therapists

*Medical doctors and surgeons

*Physical Therapists Assistants

*Massage Therapists

*Athletic Trainers

Function of Sports Medicine Experts

These specialists and physicians undergo training for a given period. They are trained to deal with injuries related to sports and exercises. These experts specialize on the diagnosis and treatment of the injuries which can occur when a person is engaging in sports or is exercising. Generally, sports medicine professionals usually deal with different kinds of orthopedic cases.

What is Sports Medicine Services Inclusive of?

The main reason why people seek sports medicine services is to get back to their best health so as to do their everyday activities or favorite sport. Sports Medicine generally deals with conditioning, biomechanics, cortisone, synvisc, injury prevention, platelet rich plasma (PRP), hyaline, viscol supplementation, injury management and rehabilitation.

Who can benefit from sports medicine?

Irrespective of the name, Sports medicine is not restricted to the serious athlete only. This field deals with any kind of physical activity, which might or might not be originating from sports. The injuries might be as a result of sudden collision, overuse, and over-extension, over-exertion of muscles of the joints which might be as a result of exercising or any other active physical activity.  This field can treat all types of musculoskeletal injuries.

With sports medicine, athlete or any other person who has suffered the conditions listed above, can still have the hopes of competing in sports again. However, prevention of injuries is one of the best ways one can use to preserve their sports career or active lifestyle. Sports medicine can help all of us stay in the game, or return to it more quickly should we sustain a sports injury.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

Importance of Orthopedic Care

The functionality of the human body can only be maximized when all the systems that control it are working well.  The musculoskeletal system is one of the most wonderful systems found on the human body. The system is liable for each movement a person makes like raising their arm, jumping, running and landing effectively back on one's feet. If the musculoskeletal system does not work properly, then a person’s range of motion could be majorly curtailed. If this happens then one may need to look for orthopedic care.

Orthopedic care is a field of medicine that deals with preventing, identifying and treating injuries, ailments and diseases that affect the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal system consists of tendon, muscles, ligaments and connective tissues that makes is possible for our bodies to lift an arm, run or even throw a ball. Orthopedic care can be conducted in either a surgical or non-surgical manner to treat a number of ailments that affect the musculoskeletal system. Among the many diseases and injuries that orthopedic care can treat, some include: sports injuries, musculoskeletal trauma, infection, congenital disorder, and degenerative diseases.

There are many processes that can be used to fix the above ailments. Some of the procedures that can be used to treat musculoskeletal diseases by using orthopedic care include use of splints, non-surgical procedures, traction, rehab and surgical procedures.

Many people tend to believe that orthopedic care is all about fractured bones which is not the case. This field of medicine also focuses on caring and repairing ligaments and tendons, which connect muscles to the bones or give stability to the joints.

Treating and diagnosing injuries is not the sole focus of orthopedic care. If you were born with congenital disorders which affect the musculoskeletal system or you have developed degenerative disease, you need orthopedic care. This is because you have not only suffered from an injury which has damaged your system, but you also have a weakened health system caused by the ailment.

Surgeons who specialize in orthopedic care can carry out a number of processes, which are meant to assist people recover from or combat diseases or injuries. These procedures include:

*Carpal tunnel release

*Hip replacement

*Shoulder decompression and arthroscopy

*Repair of trochanteric fracture

*Repair of the ankle fracture among others

Orthopedic care is dedicated to assisting persons who are facing diseases that are hindering them from enjoying a full range of motion in their daily lives. Athletes who have gone through some physical injuries have something to smile of because of the advancements in the field of orthopedic care. Older people who have had a deterioration of key joints like hip and knee can have their whole hip or knee replaced so as to enjoy life once again. So a big thanks to our orthopedic doctors and surgeons, along with sports medicine and rehab specialists for helping to keep out bodies in motion.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.

All You Need To Know About Sports Injuries

Sports injuries are injuries which occur when a person is exercising or playing some sort of sports of physical activity. Some of these injuries are as a result poor training, accidents or improper gear. Some people get injured as a result of not warming up well prior to exercising or pushing themselves too hard.

Any part of your body can get injuries including connective tissues, bones, muscles and joints. However, some of the most affected parts are knees and ankles. Some of the most common sports injuries include Achilles tendon injuries, sprains and strains, fractures, swollen muscles and dislocations.

The difference between a chronic and acute injury

In sports, there are two types of injuries: chronic and acute. Acute injury will occur suddenly when you are exercising or playing. Strained back, sprained ankles and fractured hands fall under acute injuries. Some symptoms of acute injury include swelling, severe pain, not being in a position to move your joints, a tender arm wrist, elbow or finger, extreme arm or leg weakness and not being in a position to place weight on your knee, leg, ankle or foot.

On the other hand, chronic injuries can occur after you have played or exercised. Some symptoms of chronic injuries are pain when exercising or playing sports, a dull ache when resting, and swelling.

What to do when injured

Immediately you know that you have been injured, you should immediately stop your activity. This is important since if you continue playing, you may cause more harm. You should seek medication attention regardless of the magnitude of the injury. Do not assume that it the injury will take care of itself.

How sports injuries are treated

Treatment for sports injuries usually depends on the magnitude of the injury. For instance, the sports doctor may use immobilization method. This is the most common method for treatment of sports injuries. It keeps the area that is injured from moving, and hence preventing more damage. Casts, splints and slings are used in immobilizing sports injuries.

Physicians also use surgery in treating certain and more severe sports injuries. Surgery can fix torn ligaments and tendons or put a broken bone back in place.

Injury rehabilitation can also be critically important to the healing process. This is a treatment plan where an injured person does strategic exercises so as to help heal more quickly the injured tissues. However, it is supposed to be done immediately after an injury for best results, with the guidance of a sports rehab specialist.

Some doctors also recommend therapies. Some therapies that can be conducted include mild electrical currents also known as electro stimulation, heat packs or thermotherapy, cold packs and sound waves. You can also visit an orthopedic center especially for the more serious sports injuries.

Remember to live life to its Fullest

Dr. Kevin Crawford

4110 22nd Place Lubbock, TX 79410

(806) 792-4329

Disclaimer:  This information is provided as an educational service, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.  Anyone seeking seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.