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Sports Medicine in New Orleans

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is an area of medical practice focused on helping active individuals recover from injury, improve their athletic performance, and avoid future injuries.

You don’t have to be on ESPN to require sports medicine treatment; doctors who specialize in sports medicine treat children injured on the soccer field, women training for a 5K, and men recovering from muscle tears sustained on the golf course.

Sports medicine specialists are trained in musculoskeletal medicine. Those who are also orthopaedic specialists often provide operative treatment as well as less invasive options.

What conditions fall under sports medicine?

Sports medicine addresses both acute and overuse injuries.

Acute injuries occur during physical activity and are often the result of trauma to the affected joint. These types of injuries include:

  • Muscle strains
  • Fractures
  • Torn ACL
  • Ankle sprains
  • Shin splints

Overuse injuries occur when a joint receives significant wear over time, or when there is a degenerative joint condition. These types of injuries include:

  • Rotator cuff tears
  • Tendonitis
  • Stress fractures
  • Hip bursitis

What are some sports medicine treatments in New Orleans?

Treatment depends on your specific set of needs. Because there are so many types of injuries that fall under the umbrella of sports medicine, there is no one-size-fits-all treatment path.

The least invasive treatment option is always the preferred course of action. You might pursue physical therapy, a period of rest and self-care, or certain injected medications. Prescription medication can help address pain, while some men and women respond well to spinal decompression, TENS therapy, or other available options.

If you and your doctor determine that a more involved treatment approach is required, you will explore the available possibilities.

Arthroscopic surgery is one option that uses tiny incisions and surgical tools to repair joint damage without the need for open surgery. Recovery time is short, and the risk of infection is far lower than previous surgical options.

How can I prevent sports medicine injuries?

One of the best reasons to work with a sports medicine specialist is the opportunity for a customized and thorough review of your current health, athletic performance, and your future goals. That information allows your doctor to structure a personalized plan to get you in the best shape possible.

By strengthening specific areas and changing your workouts, you can help prevent future injuries or improve your body’s ability to bounce back. If you’d like to learn more, reach out to the team at Orthopaedic Associates of New Orleans by calling (504) 899-6391 today.

Sports Medicine's FAQs

Common signs of a sports injury include pain, swelling, bruising, weakness, or limited movement. If your symptoms persist or interfere with sports, exercise, work, or daily activities, an orthopedic sports medicine specialist can help identify the cause and recommend treatment.

See a sports medicine doctor if your pain is severe, persists despite initial self-care such as rest, ice, and activity modification, or affects your ability to move or participate in activities. Early evaluation can help identify the injury and begin appropriate treatment.

Seek urgent or emergency care for an obvious deformity, an open wound, severe or rapidly increasing swelling, severe uncontrolled pain, numbness or loss of sensation, loss of function, or an inability to safely bear weight. For other persistent musculoskeletal symptoms, an orthopedic sports medicine appointment is generally appropriate.

Yes. Many sports injuries can be treated without surgery using activity modification, physical therapy, medications, injections, bracing, or other treatments. Your sports medicine doctor will recommend the most appropriate approach based on your injury, activity level, and goals.

Yes. Sports medicine physicians treat musculoskeletal injuries in athletes and non-athletes of all ages, including injuries that occur during exercise, work, recreation, and daily activities.

Sports medicine physicians commonly treat sprains, strains, fractures, tendon injuries, cartilage injuries, shoulder instability, rotator cuff injuries, and ACL and meniscus tears, as well as overuse injuries and other problems involving muscles, bones, and joints.

An ACL tear may cause a popping sensation, sudden knee pain, swelling, or a feeling that the knee is unstable or gives way. Diagnosis begins with a review of your symptoms and a physical examination. X-rays or an MRI may be recommended when appropriate to confirm the injury or identify associated damage.

A meniscus tear can cause knee pain, swelling, stiffness, clicking, or a catching or locking sensation. A sports medicine evaluation and, when appropriate, an MRI can help determine whether you have a torn meniscus.

A rotator cuff tear may cause shoulder pain, weakness, night pain, and difficulty lifting or moving your arm. A sports medicine doctor can evaluate your symptoms and may recommend X-rays, ultrasound, or an MRI when needed.

Usually not. Your physician will first review your symptoms and examine the injured area. X-rays, an MRI, or another imaging study may then be recommended when needed to establish the diagnosis or guide treatment.

Recovery time depends on the type and severity of the injury, the treatment required, and the demands of your sport or activity. Some injuries improve within a few weeks, while more serious injuries may require several months of rehabilitation.

Return to sports is generally appropriate when pain and swelling have improved and you have regained near-normal motion, strength, balance, and the ability to safely perform sport-specific movements. Your sports medicine doctor and rehabilitation team can help determine when you are ready and reduce the risk of reinjury.