Sports injuries
The sports injuries and musculoskeletal clinic provide full services to prevent, diagnose and treat sports and related Injuries. If you are a keen sports person or your injury is related to overuse, significant time away from your sport or work can be irritating and costly. Whether your injury is acute or chronic or related to sport or work, we are here to get you back to where you want to be as soon as possible.
Some of the common problems we see in clinic
- Plantar fasciitis
- Achilles tendon strain
- Ankle sprain
- Knee joint injury - ligaments and cartilage sprains
- Hamstring and thigh strains
- Tennis and Golfers elbow
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Shoulder pain related to impingement and muscle tears
- Bursitis
- Groin pain
We also see patients who want to remain active but have developed joint problems due to onset of arthritis.
Tendon and muscle sprains and strains
One of the most common reasons for pain and reduced movement are joint sprains and muscle strains.
Sprains are injuries of the joint ligaments and capsule. These structures are what joins the two bones at a joint together. If injured these structures maybe torn, usually only a few fibres are torn but with more severe injury all fibres maybe ruptured. Symptoms usually include pain and swelling of the affected part and you may notice some redness or heat.
Strains are injuries to a muscle. Like a sprain the muscle fibres maybe partially or completely torn depending upon the nature of the injury. Often this type of injury is associated with muscle bleeding and you may see bruising around and often some way from the damaged area.
Initial treatment for a sprain or strain is similar and follows the PRICE principles:
- Protection - stop whatever causes your pain to prevent further injury
- Rest - reduce or stop using the injured area for 48 hours. If you have a leg injury, you may need to stay off of it completely
- Ice - put an ice pack on the injured area for 15 minutes at a time, 4 to 8 times per day. Use a cold pack, ice bag, or a plastic bag filled with crushed ice that has been wrapped in a towel
- Compression - compression of an injured ankle, knee, or wrist may help reduce the swelling. These include bandages such as elastic wraps, special boots, air casts and splints. Ask your doctor which one is best
- Elevation - keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart. Use a pillow to help elevate an injured limb.
This initial treatment approach should be continued 3 to 4 times daily for up to 72 hours after onset of injury. After this initial stage the injured part should be gently moved. This is important to avoid stiffness developing. In practice this could simply involve bending and straightening of the affected limb.
If your symptoms fail to settle with this management approach or if you have other concerns regarding your injury you should seek a specialist’s opinion immediately.
Arthritis and joint pain
Arthritis and joint pain are very common problems for people who play sports and people who don’t. Arthritis describes inflammation or wearing of a joint which is painful. This condition can become more of a problem as we become older and. It can also be associated with previous injury. The joint may become swollen and stiff causing pain with movement. It can become painful following a particular change in activity such as an increase in running.
Treatment should be aimed at maintaining the strength of the muscles around the joint which may have become weak. Treatment can also include anti-inflammatory tablets or a steroid injection if symptoms are not settling.
