What is Sports Medicine Anyway? Need to Know Facts.

Are you an athlete or an active individual? If so, you might be wondering what sports medicine is. Here’s an answer from your local Richmond orthopedic and sports medicine specialist:

What is Sports Medicine?

Sports medicine is a practice that involves the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports and exercise related injuries and conditions. At its core, sports medicine focuses on helping athletes and active people recover from injury as quickly as possible. This can involve methods ranging from regular physical conditioning to sports-specific training techniques to medication and therapeutic equipment.

Sports medicine aims to keep athletes healthy and allow them to continue participating in their chosen sports or forms of exercise at the highest level possible. At G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Vic Goradia treats athletes at the high school and college level, as well as adults who continue to enjoy playing sports and staying active in their free time.

Commonly Treated Injuries

There are a variety of injuries and conditions that sports medicine specialists commonly treat. Some of the most common include:

Knee Injury: Knee injuries can range from a simple sprain or strain to a more serious tear or rupture, like an ACL or meniscus tear. Symptoms vary depending on the type of injury but may include pain, swelling, stiffness, and difficulty walking. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury but may include surgery, physical therapy, and rehabilitation. At G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Vic Goradia offers surgical and non-surgical options to treat a swath of knee injuries. Some of the services he provides include ACL reconstruction and repair surgery, and a variety of chondromalacia treatments for knee pain.

Labral Injury and Shoulder Dislocation: Labral tears and shoulder dislocations are orthopedic injuries to the shoulder joint. Labral injuries can be caused by a fall onto an outstretched arm, by repetitive overhead motions such as pitching or serving in tennis, or by direct trauma to the shoulder. The most common symptoms of a labral tear are pain and clicking or popping in the shoulder joint. A shoulder dislocation occurs when the upper arm bone becomes separated from the shoulder blade. It is usually caused by a sudden impact to the shoulder, such as during contact sports, and is often accompanied by a labral tear. The most common symptom of a shoulder dislocation is extreme pain. Treatment for these injuries range from noninvasive rehabilitation to surgery.

Rotator Cuff Injury: Like tennis or golfer’s elbow, a rotator cuff tear can occur in athletes because of repetitive motion, in this case, of the shoulder. Sharp motions or falls can also cause the rotator cuff to tear. Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include dull shoulder pain, decreased mobility of the shoulder joint, and difficulty lifting your arms or other objects. Treatment for rotator cuff tears at G2 Orthopedics often involves arthroscopy and donor tissue to repair even the most severe rotator cuff injuries.

Biceps and Triceps Tears: Bicep and tricep tears can occur because of overuse use or acute injury. Athletes and active individuals who weightlift, play tennis, or practice other sports that require repetitive movements are at a higher risk of developing tendonitis in the tricep tendon or the biceps tendon. The most common symptom for these injuries is experiencing pain. Tricep tears, which occur at the elbow, can often be treated with a regimen of rest and anti-inflammatory medications. More severe tricep injuries require surgery. Treatment for mild bicep injuries, which can occur at the shoulder or the elbow, is similar to that of tricep injuries. For acute bicep injuries, G2’s Dr. Goradia uses an arthroscopic technique he helped develop that involves removing the damaged part of the tendon and re-attaching the remaining portion back to the bone.

Ankle Sprain: This is one of the most common injuries in sports and can occur when the ankle is twisted inwards or outwards. Symptoms include pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. Treatment typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), as well as physical therapy. For more serious ankle sprains, stabilization or arthroscopic surgery may be required.

How can Sports Medicine Help You

Sports medicine specialists are trained to treat a variety of injuries and conditions and can help you get back in motion quickly and safely. At G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Goradia utilizes a wide range of non-invasive and surgical methods to help reduce pain and inflammation, promote tissue repair, and improve mobility and function.

Dr. Goradia is an expert in arthroscopic surgery, which uses cameras for improved visibility into the injury with just a small incision required. If you are a young athlete who has recently suffered an acute injury, or an older adult whose arthritis is interfering with your ability to enjoy playing sports or be physically active, Dr. Goradia can develop a treatment plan to help you get back to doing the activities you love most. At G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we offer:

What should I expect from my first visit?

When you visit a sports medicine doctor, you can expect to discuss any sports or exercise-related injuries that you have experienced. Your doctor will perform a thorough physical examination to better understand the nature and extent of your injury. Depending on the specific issue at hand, your sports medicine doctor may also take X-rays or other diagnostic tests to provide additional information about your injury. If necessary, he or she may recommend specialized treatment options, such as physical therapy or surgery, to help you recover quickly and get back in the game.

G2 Orthopedics: Your Richmond Sports Medicine Doctor

When you visit G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, you can expect to be warmly greeted, seen quickly, and fully respected during your exam. Dr. Goradia will listen to you to understand your injury and lifestyle and develop a customized treatment plan best suited to your needs. If you are an athlete in need of a Richmond sports medicine doctor, look no further than Dr. Goradia at G2 Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Call (804) 678-9000 or complete the form today!