Sports medicine has emerged as a dedicated medical field – not yet with its own residency after medical school, but indeed with the opportunity of a fellowship after residency is completed. This specialty addresses exercise-related injuries and every type of musculoskeletal pain, including arthritis. After all, even young athletes can suffer wear-and-tear osteoarthritis, and so these doctors can apply their knowledge to treating patients of all ages.
Sports medicine doctors are highly knowledgeable about the musculoskeletal system, which comprises the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, and ancillary structures; concussions also tend to occur in sports, so these physicians are also well-versed in diagnosing and treating traumatic brain injury (TBI). Let’s talk about some of the most common injuries that sports medicine physicians can treat, and where you can go throughout North Dakota for world-class orthopedic treatment.
ACL Tear (Knee Injury)
An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear is a partial or complete tear in the frontmost ligament that sits directly behind the patella (kneecap). This ligament usually becomes torn when a person pivots or twists too quickly or lands awkwardly from a jump. These movements are common in soccer, football, skiing, tennis, and basketball.
Concussion (Brain Injury)
A concussion is a traumatic brain injury that results from a hit to the head or upper body. Contact sports like football, hockey, and soccer are common causes of this injury.
Left unevaluated and untreated, a concussion can have life-threatening consequences due to its effect on the brain. If a sports doctor suspects that you may have a concussion, they can order an imaging test, like a CT scan or an MRI.
Rotator Cuff Tear (Shoulder Injury)
The rotator cuff is made up of four shoulder-area muscles and their tendons, which connect those muscles to the bones comprising your shoulder socket. The resulting mass is like a cuff, thus the name.
When you perform repetitive motions with your arm, or if you receive sudden impact to your shoulder, your rotator cuff could develop one or more tears. This can cause shoulder pain and the inability to move your arm very well, if at all. A sports doctor is most adept at conducting an evaluation of your shoulder and recommending prompt effective treatment.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow is not only common among tennis players, but also among anyone who performs frequent overhead or swinging arm movements – such as painters, plumbers, and chefs. This condition is characterized by inflammation of the tendon fibers connecting the arm muscle to the bone on the outside area of the elbow.
Sports Medicine Specialists in Bismarck, ND
If you sustain a sports injury or suffer from chronic joint pain, or if you would like to know how to reduce your risk of suffering a season-ending injury in your sport, visit an experienced sports medicine doctor here at The Bone & Joint Center. Our expert team of sports doctors and orthopedic surgeons can diagnose and treat a wide range of injuries affecting active people.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (800) 424-2663 or by filling out our online appointment request form now. We have offices conveniently located across North Dakota, and we look forward to helping you get back to doing what you love to do!
