When Should I See a Doctor for a Sports Injury?

If you are injured while playing sports, you must know when to see a doctor. Many people try to tough it out and hope the injury will heal. However, there are better courses of action than this. In some cases, delaying treatment can make the injury worse.

For example, if you have an open wound exposed to dirt or debris, you should seek medical attention immediately for proper cleaning and treatment. If there is any chance of a fracture or if you hear a popping sound when the injury occurs, it’s essential to see a doctor as soon as possible. This will help ensure that your bones are properly aligned and that the injury is given proper attention.

We will discuss when you should see a doctor for a sports injury.

Acute Sports Injuries

Athletes and sports enthusiasts are too familiar with an injury’s pain. A sports injury is any physical trauma that results from participating in a sporting event. One form of sports injury is an acute injury, which occurs suddenly and can result from trauma or excessive force. Examples of acute sports injuries include:

a) Muscle Strains:

Muscle strains occur when the muscle fibers are stretched beyond their normal range of motion. Symptoms of a strain include pain, swelling, and bruising in the affected area.

b) Ligament Sprains:

Ligament sprains involve stretching or tearing one or more ligaments that connect bones. Sprain symptoms include pain, swelling, and instability in the affected area.

c) Fractures:

Fractures are caused by a direct blow or force that causes bones to break. Symptoms of a fracture include pain, swelling, deformity, and discoloration of the skin around the injury site.

d) Concussions:

Concussions are caused by a sudden impact or force to the head, neck, or body that affects brain functioning. Symptoms of a concussion include headache, nausea, confusion, and loss of consciousness.

Athletes and sports enthusiasts need to seek medical treatment for an acute sports injury as soon as possible after the injury occurs. In addition to helping reduce pain and swelling, seeing a doctor for an acute sports injury is essential for ensuring proper healing and preventing further damage that can result from the injury.

Chronic Sports Injuries

Chronic sports injuries happen over time due to repetitive movements or activities. Examples of chronic sports injuries include:

a) Overuse Injuries:

Overuse injuries occur when a person’s body is used too often or improperly. Examples include tennis elbow, swimmer’s shoulder, and Achilles tendinitis.

b) Stress Fractures:

Stress fractures are tiny cracks in a bone that occurs when a person does the same activity repeatedly without giving their bones time to recover adequately.

c) Soft Tissue Injuries:

Soft tissue injuries occur when the muscles, tendons, or ligaments are strained or sprained. Examples include muscle strains and tendonitis.

How Can a Doctor Help?

A sports medicine specialist can help diagnose the injury and create a treatment plan that includes physical therapy, rehabilitation exercises, and medications or other treatments, if necessary. In some cases, surgery may be recommended to address more severe injuries. Furthermore, your doctor can help you understand how to prevent future injuries by providing tips and advice on proper form and technique and when to take breaks.

Call Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital for expert sports medicine in Baltimore. Our experienced physicians will work with you to diagnose and heal your sports injury.