Sports medicine is an orthopedic subspecialty focusing on diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries and conditions associated with athletics. Unlike general orthopedists, sports doctors are equipped with specialized knowledge that caters to the specific demands and injuries associated with sports at all levels.
Whether you are a student-athlete, a weekend warrior, an active exerciser, or a professional, EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region’s sports medicine orthopedists have the in-depth knowledge and experience to treat sport-related injuries, help you prevent future or further injuries, and show you ways to enhance your individual performance. From acute injuries to chronic conditions, our team’s approach is proactive, patient-centric, and always at the cutting edge of medical advancements.
Providing a Range of Sports Medicine Services
At EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region, our orthopedic sports doctors offer a range of sports medicine services, including:
Pediatric Sports Medicine: Specializing in the unique needs of the developing athlete, including overuse injuries and growth plate conditions.
Nonsurgical Sports Medicine: Providing comprehensive, conservative care using a host of nonsurgical treatments and therapies.
Surgical Sports Medicine: Offering advanced surgical solutions when conservative treatments do not provide the desired relief.
Sports Performance: Focusing on enhancing athletic ability and reducing injury risks.
Participating in Early Intervention Practices
One of the critical factors in sports medicine is early intervention. Minor aches and pains can be early warning signs of underlying conditions. By addressing these issues promptly, our orthopedic specialists can prevent the progression to more severe injuries. Some of our early intervention strategies include:
- Accurate diagnosis through advanced imaging techniques.
- Personalized treatment plans combining rest, physical therapy, and medication.
- Education on body mechanics and sports ergonomics to correct movements that may lead to injury.
Sports Doctors Focusing on Injury Prevention
Sports can be physically demanding at all levels, requiring agility and flexibility. Some sports put a strain on your upper body, some on your lower body, while other sports affect the entire body as you play. As a result, players of all levels are at risk for a range of injuries.
To help reduce risk, our specialists integrate injury prevention steps into our treatment plan. We assess each patient’s individual situation and develop personalized preventative strategies that may include training adjustments to reduce stress on the body, education on proper techniques and equipment use, and strength and conditioning programs designed to build resilience against injuries.
Treating a Range of Sports-Related Conditions
When an injury or sports-related condition develops, our orthopedic sports medicine doctors have the skills to treat a wide array of conditions. While they manage and treat acute traumas such as concussions and fractures, our physicians often see patients with these common issues:
- Neck/shoulder: frozen shoulder, rotator cuff tears, shoulder impingement, and shoulder instability
- Arm/elbow: sprains and tennis or golfer’s elbow
- Hip/knee: ligament tears and arthritis
- Upper/lower leg: joint dislocations and shin splints
- Foot/ankle: Achilles tendon rupture and ankle sprains
Offering Nonsurgical and Surgical Treatments
Our treatment modalities are as varied as the conditions we treat, ranging from anti-inflammatory injections and physical therapy to state-of-the-art surgeries.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Our sports medicine team is highly trained in the latest nonsurgical methods and technologies in orthopedic care. Our clinics are equipped to provide a range of services, including:
- Cortisone injections
- Bracing and orthotic devices
- Platelet-rich plasma injections
- Ultrasound-guided injections
- Viscosupplementation
- Physical therapy
- Sports-related concussion care
Surgical Treatments
We only recommend surgery if conservative, nonsurgical treatments have not successfully treated your problem. Our surgeons stay abreast of the latest surgical advancements, ensuring that you have access to the most effective treatments available. This includes the utilization of robotic-assisted surgeries and 3D-printed implants for precision and customization.We only recommend surgery if conservative, nonsurgical treatments have not successfully treated your problem. Our surgeons stay abreast of the latest surgical advancements, ensuring that you have access to the most effective treatments available. This includes the utilization of robotic-assisted surgeries and 3D-printed implants for precision and customization.
Common surgeries our sports orthopedic surgeons perform include:
- Ligament Reconstruction: Rebuilding torn ligaments using grafts to restore stability.
- Meniscal Repair: Preserving knee health by repairing or trimming damaged knee cartilage.
- Rotator Cuff Repair: Mending the shoulder tendons to regain full range of motion and strength.
Helping Raise Your Athletic Performance
Our sports doctors do not just heal injuries; they also focus on enhancing performance and reducing the risk of future injuries. We utilize exercise physiology to understand your body’s response to physical activity to optimize training and recovery. We also incorporate biomechanics to analyze your movement patterns to improve efficiency and prevent injury. By integrating these scientific principles into our care, we help athletes push their boundaries safely and effectively.
Teaming Up With the Community
At EmergeOrtho—Blue Ridge Region, we take a team approach to sports medicine. We integrate the skills of our board-certified physicians, fellowship-trained surgeons, licensed diagnostic technicians, and certified physical therapists to provide comprehensive medical treatment and injury prevention services to individual athletes. We also serve as team physicians for our local high schools and colleges.
We would like to be a part of your healthcare team. Request an appointment here so we can help you Emerge Stronger. Healthier. Better.