Being an athlete or living an active lifestyle can be rewarding but can also lead to injuries. After all, you put a lot of stress and strain on your body every time you play or work out. You should see a doctor specializing in orthopedic sports medicine when you get injured.
Orthopedic sports medicine doctors can diagnose and treat bone, joint, and muscle injuries. They often work with athletes of all levels, from weekend warriors to professional athletes.
Here are some of the procedures they can perform:
1. Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure used to diagnose and treat conditions affecting the joints. Orthopedic sports medicine doctors often use it to treat conditions like:
- Tendinitis – inflammation of tendons, the tissues connecting muscle to bone
- Bursitis – inflammation of bursae, fluid-filled sacs cushioning and lubricating joints
- Cartilage damage – occurs due to injury or degeneration of cartilage, the tissue covering the ends of bones
- Meniscus tears – tears in the cartilage cushioning the knee joint
2. Joint Replacement Surgery
Joint replacement surgery is a surgical procedure where your provider removes the damaged parts of your joint. After the removal, they replace them with artificial implants. Usually, the implants are metal, plastic, ceramic, or a combination of two or more materials.
Surgeons use this procedure to treat conditions like:
- Osteoarthritis – a type of arthritis that results from the wear and tear of cartilage
- Rheumatoid arthritis – a kind of arthritis that occurs when your immune system attacks your joints
- Post-traumatic arthritis – arthritis that occurs after an injury to a joint
3. Fracture Treatment
Fracture treatment involves the diagnosis and treatment of broken bones. Your doctor may use casts, braces, or surgery to fix the fracture.
The treatment for a fracture depends on its type and location. For example, a femur or thighbone fracture usually needs surgery. On the other hand, a wrist fracture may only need a cast.
Your fracture’s severity also determines the course of treatment. For instance, a cast may be enough for a simple fracture, when the bone is cracked but not broken into pieces. However, you may need surgery for a compound fracture, when the bone breaks into pieces.
4. Ligament Repair
Ligament repair is a surgical procedure providers use to repair torn ligaments, the tissues connecting bones to other bones. The most common type of ligament repair is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.
The ACL connects the thighbone to the shinbone. It is one of the knee’s four major ligaments and one of the most commonly injured ones.
5. Tendon Repair
Tendon repair is a surgical procedure for torn tendons. The most common type of tendon repair is rotator cuff surgery, which providers use to repair shoulder tendons.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. It helps to lift the arm.
6. Fixation
Fixation is a surgery to stabilize bones or joints, especially for treating fractures or dislocations. It may involve using screws, plates, wires, or pins. There are two types of fixation: internal and external.
Internal fixation is when the implants are inside the body, while external fixation places implants outside the body.
7. Reduction
Providers use reduction to realign bones or joints. It may involve using traction, splints, or casts to treat dislocations or fractures.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine Near You In Bloomfield And Rocky Hill, CT & Springfield, MA
Orthopedic sports medicine can benefit you if you have any issues with your bones, joints, muscles, or tendons. Some common procedures providers perform within orthopedic sports medicine are arthroscopy, joint replacement surgery, and fracture treatment. Your doctor can also perform ligament repair, tendon repair, fixation, and reduction.
Trust Advanced Orthopedics New England if you need services for orthopedic sports medicine near you. Call our friendly staff at (860) 728-6740 or book a consultation using our appointment request form.
We offer orthopedic sports medicine services in Bloomfield, Rocky Hill, Connecticut, and Springfield, Massachusetts. We also provide urgent care services in Enfield and Vernon. We look forward to serving you!
