Do You Have a Sports Injury?

As Americans, many of us are very active. Participation in sports continues throughout the lifespan. Do you have a sports injury now, or if you were to incur one, would you know what to do? At Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists in Haymarket and Manassas, VA, our specialists are fellows in sport-related injuries of all kinds. They serve as local team physicians, too. Learn more here.

Preparation is key

Yes, sports injuries happen, but preparation is key to avoiding them. As high school team physicians in the Haymarket, VA, area, our doctors emphasize proper body conditioning, training, supervision, and protective equipment and footwear. Athletes--even those not involved in organized sports--must receive regular physical examinations with their primary care physicians. Then, before beginning any rigorous exercise routine or sport, they should condition their bodies to endure the rigors of activities such as tennis, running, football, martial arts, and more.

Still, injuries happen

The American Physical Therapy Association estimates 8.6 million sports- and exercise-related injuries happen annually in the US. Falls and overexertion account for most, but only a small percentage of those injured actually see a physician or make a trip to the hospital emergency room.

Get evaluated and treated

Pain, limited range of motion, limb weakness, swelling, tenderness, and redness. These are abnormal findings, and if you're experiencing them in an ankle, foot, arm, hand, shoulder, neck, hip, knee, or other area of the body, see your board-certified physician at Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists in Haymarket or Manassas, VA. Our doctors will use the latest in diagnostic techniques and imaging to understand the nature of your injury and the reasons behind it.

Sports injury first aid and treatment

Our doctors encourage you to call the office immediately if you sustain an acute injury. They can inform you how to stabilize your condition.

In general, you should stop immediately whatever activity seems to be causing your pain and dysfunction. If you are biking, stay off your bike. If you are running, walk, or sit down. Do not try to shake off your injury, but rather, take it seriously.

Then, apply the PRICE protocol as outlined by Sports-Health:

• P means protect. Splint, use crutches, pad or do something else to prevent further injury.
• R means rest. In other words, get off your feet.
• I means ice the area.
• C means compression with an ACE bandage.
• E means elevation of the affected part above the level of the heart.

After you're stabilized, see our doctor for a full diagnostic work-up to include a hands-on examination and state of the art imaging. Then, the doctor will formulate a care plan to include physical therapy, medication (analgesics and/or anti-inflammatories), immobilization, or surgery as needed.

Contact us

At Northern Virginia Orthopaedic Specialists, we help active people prevent and recover from sports injuries of all kinds. If you need us, please contact the office team for a consultation in Manassas or Haymarket, VA, at (703) 369-9070.