Don't get sidelined with a sports injury
The world of sports can be intense and fast-paced, but when an injury sidelines you, NMC Health Orthopedics & Sports Specialists can get you back on your feet.
Whether you’re a student athlete, a professional player or a recreational sports enthusiast, our sports medicine doctors and athletic trainers are here for you.
From minor sprains and strains to torn ligaments, broken bones and concussions, our sports medicine experts offer the care and support you need to recover quickly. Together, we’re a team.
If you have a medical emergency, call 911 or visit the NMC Health Medical Center Emergency Department.
What we treat
From sprains and strains to wear and tear, our expert team will get you back in the game. Here’s a list of some common issues our sports medicine doctors treat:
- Concussions
- Broken bones
- Muscle and tendon strains
- Osteoarthritis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Tennis elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- ACL tears
- Meniscus tears
- Rotator cuff tears
- Bursitis
- Labral tears
- Hip impingement
- Injuries of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot
- Injuries to any bone, muscle, joint, tendon or ligament
How we treat
Not all injuries will require orthopedic surgery. NMC Health Orthopedics & Sports Specialists has several surgical and non-surgical options to help with your pain.
Non-Surgical Options
Before surgery becomes an option, most specialists will try to relieve pain through pain medicine, exercise and therapy. Here are some of the procedures available that don’t require surgery:
- Joint injections in your shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle or foot
- PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections that use your own platelets injected into the problem area to help with healing of tendons, ligaments, joints and muscles
- Trigger point injections to help relax muscles and relieve knots
- Casting, splinting and bracing to protect the injured area
- Tenex procedure to remove scar tissue and damage to the tendons in tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis and chronic tendon issues
- Compartment pressure testing to measure the amount of pressure inside your muscles
- Anti-inflammatories to help with swelling
- Physical therapy, occupational therapy or exercises to help build muscle support around the injured area
Surgical Options
If your injuries are more severe or require surgery, our expert orthopedic surgeons are highly experienced in repairing sports injuries. Here are some of the procedures our team specializes in:
- Knee arthroscopy (scope) for meniscus tears, cartilage injuries, ligament tears (ACL tears, PCL tears, MCL tears)
- Shoulder arthroscopy (scope) for rotator cuff tears, biceps tendon tears and labral tears
- Tendon repairs to the Achilles, patellar, quadriceps or hamstring tendons
- Carpal tunnel release
- Shoulder arthritis and shoulder replacements
When you meet with one of our sports medicine doctors, they will walk you through what your options are based on your injury. They’ll be able to tell you whether surgery is needed, or if you can find pain relief and recovery through non-surgical options. If you need surgery, they will let you know what to expect and what your recovery process will look like.
Athletic Training Services
When it comes to getting hurt on the court or the field, you might need a quick evaluation. This is especially true if you’re in need of concussion treatment. NMC Health Orthopedics & Sports Specialists offers certified athletic training services to all area athletic programs.
If you experience any sports injury, NMC Health Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation can also work with you to get you feeling better, faster.
Sports Physicals
Before you can play sports in school or for a league team, you have to have a sports physical. NMC Health Immediate Care in Newton offers $25 physicals for student athletes.
Our family medicine clinics also offer sports physicals.
You don’t need to make an appointment for a sports physical. Payment is due at time of service. Your insurance will not be billed.
Don’t forget to bring the sports physical form given to you by your child’s school!
FAQs
If you’ve hurt yourself during physical activity and have pain that won’t go away, it might be a good idea to get your injury looked at by a sports medicine doctor. It is possible to do damage to bones, muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments without knowing what’s going on inside your body. Injuries that go unchecked can cause permanent damage or persistent pain. If you think you’ve sprained your ankle or hurt yourself and it’s not getting better with rest, ice, compression or elevation, make an appointment with an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist.
Most insurances cover care related to orthopedic and sports medicine injuries. To find out if your insurance is covered by NMC Health, contact your insurance provider or visit our insurance plans page. Unless your insurance requires a referral for coverage, you do not need a referral to make an appointment at our Orthopedics & Sports Specialists clinic.
There are a lot of different ways an athlete can hurt themselves in sports, especially in contact sports. The most common sports injuries we see are concussions, ACL tears, meniscus tears, knee injuries, rotator cuff tears and shoulder injuries, tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis.
When you use certain joints or muscles and they get tired or sore or you’re feeling like you can’t compete at the same level, you might be suffering from an overuse injury. Typically, taking some time to rest and recuperate will ease your pain. If you have persistent problems, check in with a specialist and make sure you didn’t do more severe damage.
You can prevent overuse injuries by making sure you stretch your muscles before physical activity. Parents can help make sure their kids don’t overuse their joints and muscles by allowing them to play different sports that use different muscle groups. Strengthening the whole body with appropriate exercise can limit sports injuries. When a child plays only one sport, they increase the wear and tear on their joints, muscles, ligaments and tendons, which can result in overuse injuries or more severe injuries.
The best way to prevent a sports injury is to make sure you stretch and strengthen your muscles before physical activity. You should also make sure you’re wearing the right protective gear for the sport or activity you’re participating in.
Taking care of your body with a good diet and exercise routine can also limit your risk for sports injury. When your body is in good shape, you’ll feel better overall.
Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Library
