Sport injuries are not only painful, they take you out of the game and if not treated properly that could be the end of a career. That’s why it is so important that you see an orthopedic doctor as soon as possible after your injury.
Trauma
No one wants to suffer an injury but it is part of the risk of participating in sports. Sometimes the unexpected happens when participating in sports whether it’s professional sports or amateur sports. There are all kinds of injuries that occur when participating in sports including sprains, strains and fractures.
Sports Medicine
Your orthopedic doctor will evaluate your sports injury and then determine the best course of action for treatment, which might 
include rehabilitation. Your orthopedic doctor will work with athletic trainers and physical therapists to ensure you receive complete care.
While knee and shoulder injuries are the number one sports injuries that result in you seeing an orthopedic doctor, there are many other injuries and conditions your orthopedic doctor might treat including:
• Achilles tendinitis or ruptures
• ACL injuries
• Cartilage issues
• Collarbone injuries
• Bursitis
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Elbow injuries
• Fractures
• Golfer’s elbow
• Hamstring injuries
• Head injuries
• ACL injuries
• LCL injuries
• Overtraining injuries
• PCL injuries
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Shin splints
• Runner’s knee
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow
• Unstable kneecap
• Soft tissue injuries
Surgical Treatments
While not all sports injuries will result in surgery, there are a number or surgeries that are commonly done including:
• Arthroscopy — This procedure uses a special camera and equipment to enable your orthopedic doctor to visualize, diagnose and then treats problems within the joint.
• Fusion – This is referred to as a ‘welding process’ where bones are fused together using bone grafts and devices like metal rods so that it will heal into one solid bone.
• Internal Fixation — A method that is used to hold the broken pieces of bone in position with metal pins, plates, or screws during the bone is healing.
• Joint Replacement – This can be partial or total and occur when there is damage to the joint often as a result of arthritis. The joint is replaced with an artificial joint.
• Osteotomy — Bone deformity is corrected by cutting and repositioning the bone.
• Soft Tissue Repair — The repairing of soft tissue, such as torn ligaments or tenants.
Why Seeking an Orthopedic Doctor is Important
Sports injuries can be serious, putting you at risk of not recovering adequately to play your sport again. However, even minor sports injuries if not treated properly can become a real problem and leave you unable to return to playing your sport again, as can an incorrect diagnosis or treatment. If you have sustained a sports injury, it is important that you see an orthopedic doctor that specializes in treating these kinds of injuries in order to ensure you are receiving the correct treatment to get you back playing sooner rather than later.
