Sports Injuries

Sports injuries require specialized care from a trained professional like Trent Brookshier, DPM. If you’re an athlete with an injury, turn to North Park Podiatry in San Diego, California, for Dr. Brookshier’s expertise. He can provide an accurate diagnosis and a personalized treatment plan and offer strategies on how to prevent injuries in the future. Call or book an appointment online today.

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries are physical traumas that occur during athletic activities, ranging from recreational sports to professional competitions. These injuries can affect your muscles, bones, ligaments, tendons, and other parts of your body and are common in activities with repetitive motions or intense physical demands.

How are sports injuries treated differently than other injuries?

Sports injuries are often treated differently due to their specific causes and the importance of a swift recovery for athletes. Distinct treatment approaches include:

Sports-specific expertise

The experienced team at North Park Podiatry provides a deep understanding of your specific sport and its biomechanics.

Goal-oriented rehabilitation

The primary goal is not just healing but also optimizing your performance as an athlete, focusing on strength, flexibility, and skill-specific exercises.

Preventive measures

In sports, injury prevention plays one of the most critical roles. The team can educate you on strategies to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Performance enhancement

Treatment may encompass performance-enhancing techniques to help you regain your competitive edge.

What are the different types of sports injuries?

Sports injuries encompass a wide range of specific conditions, including:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Fractures
• Contusions
• Dislocations
• Tendonitis
• Stress fractures
• Concussions

Sports injuries can also arise from overuse, which occurs due to repetitive stress on the same body part, causing issues like tendinopathies or stress fractures.

How are sports injuries treated?

Treatment strategies for sports injuries vary depending on your injury type and severity. Adequate rest is often essential to allow your body to heal and prevent further damage, accompanied by ice application to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain. 

Wrapping or bracing injured areas with compression provides support and limits swelling, while elevation by raising the injured area above your heart can also help reduce swelling.

Physical therapy focuses on strengthening, enhancing flexibility, and reducing pain. In addition, medications, both over-the-counter and prescription, can be used to manage pain and inflammation.

Surgery may be necessary in severe cases to repair damaged tissues or stabilize fractures, and advanced methods like ultrasound therapy, shockwave therapy, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections may also be considered. 

You’re often guided through return-to-play protocols, ensuring a safe return to your sport. Injury prevention strategies involve educating you on proper warm-up techniques and the appropriate use of protective gear to minimize re-injury risk.

To learn more about how sports injuries are diagnosed and treated, call North Park Podiatry today or book an appointment online.