Experiencing a sports injury can be frustrating, whether you’re a professional athlete or a weekend warrior. Knowing when to seek medical attention can be confusing. For severe injuries like dislocations or fractures, the Emergency Room (ER) is the obvious choice. However, for persistent pain or less obvious injuries, deciding when to consult a Sports Injury Doctor requires a bit more consideration.
Generally, if your injury pain persists even after rest, or if it subsides with rest but returns when you resume exercise, it’s advisable to schedule an appointment. You can start with your primary care physician, but for specialized care, a sports medicine physician or a sports injury doctor is the ideal expert.
“Our sports medicine physicians and sports medicine team are dedicated to helping you get back to your activity as quickly and safely as possible,” emphasizes Dr. Stephanie A. Giammittorio, D.O. “Many of us are athletes ourselves, so we understand the challenges of being sidelined due to an injury.”
Here are some guidelines to help you determine when to seek the expertise of a sports injury doctor for different types of sports-related injuries.
Recognizing Acute Sports Injuries That Need Immediate Attention
Besides obvious injuries like broken bones or dislocations, certain signs of acute sports injuries warrant immediate medical evaluation. These symptoms indicate that you should seek prompt care from a medical professional, potentially a sports injury doctor or at an urgent care facility, depending on severity. These acute injury signs include:
- Inability to put weight on an injured leg
- Intense and sudden pain accompanied by swelling
- Numbness in the injured area
- Tingling sensations
It’s important to remember that sports injuries aren’t always limited to musculoskeletal issues. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of the following symptoms after a sports activity, as these could indicate more serious conditions:
- Back pain resulting from a direct blow to the kidney area
- Chest pain
- Concussion symptoms (headache, dizziness, confusion, memory issues)
- Signs of heat exhaustion or heatstroke (excessive sweating, dizziness, nausea, confusion)
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness specifically related to exercise
Understanding and Addressing Overuse Sports Injuries
Overuse injuries are common, especially among athletes who engage in repetitive movements without sufficient rest. These injuries develop gradually and can affect various tissues, including muscles, ligaments, tendons, bones, and even growth plates in young athletes.
Examples of common overuse sports injuries include:
- Elbow and shoulder problems in baseball pitchers
- Shoulder injuries in swimmers
- Elbow injuries in tennis players (tennis elbow)
- Stress fractures, particularly prevalent in runners
The rise in youth sports specialization has contributed to an increase in overuse injuries among younger athletes.
For both adults and children, the initial management of many overuse injuries often involves the RICE method:
- Rest: Avoid activities that aggravate the injured area and allow it to heal.
- Ice: Apply cold packs to the injured area for 20 minutes at a time, several times daily, to reduce inflammation.
- Compression: Use an elastic bandage to gently compress the area, helping to minimize swelling.
- Elevation: When resting, elevate the injured area above your heart level to further reduce swelling.
“If your pain doesn’t improve with RICE within a few days to a couple of weeks, it’s time to schedule an appointment to determine the underlying issue,” advises Dr. Giammittorio. “You may need diagnostic imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI to accurately diagnose the problem.”
A sports injury doctor can provide a comprehensive diagnosis and create a tailored treatment plan to address your specific injury and get you back to your sport safely. They specialize in understanding the unique demands that sports place on the body and are experts in managing these types of injuries. Whether it’s diagnosing a stress fracture, tendonitis, or ligament strain, a sports injury doctor has the expertise to guide your recovery.
If you’ve sustained a sports injury, seeking guidance from Riverside Sports Medicine services can be beneficial. Their team of specialists is equipped to accurately diagnose your injury and develop a personalized treatment strategy to help you return to your active lifestyle. They also offer valuable services to sports teams, including screenings, injury prevention clinics, and educational programs.
