Are you an athlete?

Participating in a sport is a great way to stay healthy and, at the same time, an arena to practice and develop a person's social skills. Although playing a sport is really fun, we must recognize that it is also physically demanding. Sometimes, too, we tend to overwork our body - therefore causing all sorts of injuries.

If you love sports so much, learn to take care of your body. Remember that if you use your body the wrong way, you may never be able to play the sport you enjoy. One way to take care of your body when playing a sport is by being conscious to its needs. If you start feeling any pain, don't ignore it! Have it checked by a sports medicine doctor to see if you need to rest or if you the area needs treatment.

There are many clinics that focus on injuries caused by sports like Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. If you want to stay fit, healthy, and strong, they're the ones you should go to. They can help you treat the injuries you already have and prevent other injuries from occuring!

Treat Tendonitis Early On To Avoid Surgery

Are you feeling pain in your elbow? If you are, you may be suffering from tendonitis, inflamation, or irritation of the tendons. The problem areas are often the shoulders, elbows, wrists, and heels. This pain is usually caused by activities that require repetitive movement of the affected part, which eventually strains the area.

Although anyone can have it, Tendonitis is often diagnosed in patients over 40 years of age because the tendons of older people are more vulnerable to injury. If you are suffering from this, it is best to consult with your local orthopedic doctor in Asheboro NC. Your doctor can give you advice as to how you can help your tendons heal faster without undergoing surgery. Remember that it is best to treat this injury early on so you can avoid going under the knife.

Are your rotator cuffs bothering you?

An injury in the rotator cuffs is one of the top reasons why adults go to sports medicine doctors. This type of injury leaves the shoulder weak; therefore affecting even the slightest movements of the arms. What causes rotator cuff strains and tears? One reason is when the arm is stretched or when a person lifts something heavy. Another cause is repetitive motion made by a person's arm, which is common in people who play a sport. Aging is also a cause since blood supply lessens in the area as a person grows older; therefore slowing down repairs.

There are many treatments you can choose from if you are suffering from this type of injury. Most of the time, doctors will recommend non-surgical treatment before opting to go for surgery. A person will be required to rest the affected area, modify his/her activities, or take NSAIDS.

If you feel you may have injured or strained this part of your body, visit a local orthopedic clinic like Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine to consult about your situation. This might just save you from further damage and pain.

Diagnosing meniscal tears in Asheboro NC

Meniscal tears are knee injuries common among athletes as well as non-athletes at almost any age and activity level. This type of injury often happens during sports when a player comes into contact with another player, and it can also occur in older adults whose menisci have weakened over time and with age. Even a motion as simple as twisting the wrong way when getting up from a chair may result in a meniscal tear for an elderly adult.

 

Symptoms of meniscal tear
Meniscal tears are often paired with a “popping” sound, much like ACL sprains and tears, however, many patients are able to continue walking. Over a few days, the knee will become stiff and swollen, and motion become limited. Common symptoms of meniscal tears include pain, swelling, a locking of the knee joint, and the knee “giving way.”

 

Physical exam and imaging tests

Meniscal tears often appear as common knee injuries. Diagnosing meniscal tears involve tests such as the McMurray test, a bending, straightening and rotating of the knee. The distinct “clicking” sound each time the knee moves is a telltale sign of meniscal tears. To rule out the possibility of other knee injuries, sports medicine doctors may order visual tests such as an X-ray or MRI before making a diagnosis.

 

If immediate treatment for meniscal tears is not sought, the meniscus can loosen and float into the joint, causing the knee to slip, pop, or lock. Serious complications brought by this type of injury can be avoided by consulting with sports medicine doctors or orthopedic surgeons at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Asheboro NC.

Common symptoms of ligament sprains and strains

Our body moves when muscles contract and make joints flex, extend, and rotate. A strain occurs when the muscle tendon is stretched or torn. Overusing and stretching a muscle results in a strain to occur.

 

Ligaments allow our joints to move in specific directions. If a ligament is stretched or torn, the injury is called a sprain.

 

Here are the common symptoms of sprains and strains when you have them:

• Pain is always the first symptom that indicates that there is something wrong with the body. Through pain, the brain is warned that a muscle or joint should be protected from further harm. In work, exercise, or sport, the pain may be felt after a particular incident or it may gradually progress after many repetitions of a motion. 
• Swelling is another symptom of sprain or strain and usually comes with an injury, although it may take some time for it to be noticed. When fibers of a ligament, muscle, or tendon are damaged, bleeding such as bruising on the surface of the skin can occur. 
• The pain and swelling cause the body to protect the injured part. As a result,you may find it difficult to use the injured part of your body. For example, you cannot use your injured leg without limping.

Ligament sprains and strains are injuries that may or may not require surgery. For a complete examination of a ligament injury, orthopedic experts at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine can make a professional recommendation as well advice for treatment.

ACL Reconstruction: Quick Facts

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL is a small ligament located inside your knee joint that stabilizes your   knee. Any injury or tearing  in this area will drastically change your movement dynamics. It has ended the careers of many professional athletes and restrained the mobility of active individuals. If left untreated, the knee will literally slide on itself thus opening up an avenue for further injuries.

Have you heard about a pro athlete or a friend with an ACL injury? It usually takes several months or years for rehabilitation and training to restore your joint to their pre-injury status.

Because ACL reconstruction is a very complex procedure, the sports medicine orthopedic surgeon’s expertise and experience will matter. Repair will involve replacing the torn tendon with another tendon from another part of the body (usually the hamstrings or the patella) or use a cadaver’s tissue.  The placement of the ligament is very important because this affects the stability and the amount of movement they are trying to replicate.

At Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Asheboro NC., orthopedic doctors employ the latest and most promising ACL reconstruction technique. Anatomic ACL reconstruction is the process of replicating the original position of the torn ligament with a new one. The orthopedic surgeons must be able to identify the correct location of the local ligament and replicate the function of the native ligament. Another approach is using two tendons to replicate the original.

Orthopedic doctors can also use two tendons to replicate the original, this is called the double bundle approach. The two ligament implants will limit rotation yet allow for the sliding motion of the tibia on the femur.  Finding the right anatomic position gives the best results. Visit Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a consultation about ACL repair.

Knee Pain 101

Residents of Asheboro, North Carolina, whether young or old, may experience knee pain from injuries, overuse, disease or inflammation.  Asheboro, North Carolina orthopedic doctors can help you with your knee pain so it does not compromise your quality of life. 

What can cause knee pain?

Knee pain can be a result of injury to some parts of the knee joint system including the bones, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, muscle and bursa.  A problem in any one of these tissues can lead to knee pain.  Young people engaged in sports and active training often complain of knee pain.  Overuse of the knee joint can also cause osteoarthritis which also affects older patients.  Osteoarthritis causes knee pain, stiffness and reduced mobility. 

Who can relieve your knee pain?

If you have had knee pain for more than a few days and rest, ice, elevation and common pain relievers are not helping, you need to make an appointment to see an orthopedic specialist. If knee pain is not addressed, the person who suffers from it may unconsciously change the way in which he or she walks or shift weight in order to avoid pain.  Knee pain that is untreated may lead to further injury in the other knee or in other joints of the body.  

It is wise to seek professional treatment from Asheboro NC orthopedic specialists at Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine when you experience knee pain that doesn’t respond to traditional methods of treatment.