We’re pleased to announce that Pain Physicians of Wisconsin is now Pro Spine Pain.

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Sports Medicine Specialist

Pro Spine & Pain team has a highly skilled sports medicine specialist in Madison, WI. We understand the passion of athletes. Injuries happen, but they don’t have to keep you off the field. Our experts offer comprehensive sports injury treatment to get you back in the game quickly and safely.

    Sports injuries encompass a wide range of injuries occurring in different areas of the body, resulting from strenuous activities like sports. Certain body parts are more susceptible to damage from these injuries, including the back. Below, we outline the 8 most common types of sports injuries, with the categories of runner’s knee, shoulder injury, ankle sprain, and back pain comprising over 80% of all sports injuries.

    What is Sports Medicine?

    Sports medicine is a type of healthcare dedicated to helping people stay active and recover from injuries sustained during exercise or sports. It focuses on the musculoskeletal system, which includes your bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.

    Sports medicine goes beyond just treating injuries. It also aims to help individuals exercise safely and effectively to achieve their fitness goals. Sports medicine often involves a team of specialists working together to provide comprehensive care.

    This team may include:

    • Physicians: Doctors who diagnose and treat sports injuries, often with non-surgical methods.
    • Surgeons: Orthopedic surgeons specializing in operating on sports-related injuries.
    • Allied health professionals: Athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports psychologists, nutritionists, and others who provide specialized support.

    Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a competitive athlete, or someone who just wants to stay physically active, sports medicine can be beneficial. It can help you recover from injuries efficiently, improve your performance, and train safely and effectively.

    Patient Experience

    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Google Review

    I would like to thank everyone at Pro Spine & Pain Clinic. From the appointment makers to Dr. Aasen and his crew, and everyone in between. They are personal, very caring, professional, and compassionate. The procedures they do are awesome. I would recommend anybody to go to this clinic!!!

    Roger Hessling
    ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ Google Review

    Dr. Dino and his team were wonderful! Very professional and everything was done before I knew it!

    Donna Alverson

    Facts About Sports Injuries

    • Bicycling, skateboarding, and inline skating carry a high risk of head injuries, accounting for almost 50% of those occurring in sports and recreation.
    • Sports and recreational activities are a significant cause of traumatic brain injuries in American children, accounting for approximately 21% of all cases.
    • 3.6 million people visited emergency departments in 2022 for injuries related to sports and recreation. Exercise, cycling, and basketball were the most common culprits.
    • Lower body injuries are the most frequent in sports, accounting for 42% of all cases. Upper extremities (arms and hands) follow closely at 30.3%, while head and neck injuries come in at 16.4%.

    References:

    1. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/sports-injuries/sports-injury-statistics#:~:text=Sports%20and%20recreational%20activities%20contribute,%2C%20skateboarding%2C%20or%20skating%20incidents
    2. https://injuryfacts.nsc.org/home-and-community/safety-topics/sports-and-recreational-injuries/
    3. https://www.healthline.com/health/sports-injuries#statistics

    Common Sports Injuries

    Runner’s Knee

    Runner’s knee is a prevalent sports injury that affects runners, cyclists, and swimmers, as well as individuals engaged in activities like aerobics, football, basketball, and volleyball. It occurs due to excessive stress on the knee, resulting in irritation of the tendon below the knee-cap.

    Knee Ligament Injuries

    Knee injuries can occur due to various factors such as direct impacts, falls, or landing on a flexed knee. These injuries are frequently observed in footballers. They primarily involve the ligaments that stabilize the knee joint, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the medial cruciate ligament (MCL), and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL).

    Shoulder Injury

    These injuries are commonly associated with activities like tennis, swimming, and volleyball. The primary factor leading to these issues is the overuse of the shoulder, leading to loosening of the rotator cuff, which comprises a group of tendons and muscles surrounding the shoulder.

    Ankle Sprain

    Sprained ankles often occur during activities that involve jumping, running, or sudden changes of direction, like football or basketball. These movements can cause the ankle to twist and potentially damage a tendon or ligament.

    Tennis/Golfer’s Elbow

    Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons in the elbow degenerate as a result of frequent use of backhand strokes in tennis. This condition causes discomfort on the outer side of the elbow. Golfer’s elbow affects the inner part of the elbow, resulting from inflammation in the muscles responsible for flexing the forearm.

    Shin Splints

    Shin splints are characterized by pain along the inside of the shinbone, resulting from inflammation of the surrounding muscles. These are most commonly experienced by individuals who are sedentary and abruptly intensify their workout routines.

    Groin Sprain

    This pertains to the strain of the adductor muscles, positioned in the upper thigh. These muscles aid in bringing the legs together and can lead to a sudden, sharp pain and swelling on the inner side of the thigh. Typically, this occurs when changing directions abruptly during running.

    Hamstring Sprain

    The hamstrings are the muscles behind your thighs. Hamstring strains most commonly occur due to inadequate warming up or excessive fatigue.


    Preventing Sports Injuries

    Choose the Right Gear

    Invest in proper shoes and insoles, and remember to replace them regularly to reduce the risk of injury.

    Consider the Terrain

    Opt for softer surfaces, such as indoor tracks, to minimize the chance of injuries while exercising.

    Strong Shoulders, Strong Game

    Prioritize muscle strengthening through weight training before engaging in sports to protect your shoulders.

    Don’t Skip the Warm-up and Cool-down

    Always stretch properly before and after exercise to prevent injuries.

    Listen to Your Body

    If you’re feeling weak or fatigued, it’s crucial to take a break and avoid working out until you’re in better shape.

    Be Patient

    Fully heal from an injury before resuming your sports activities to avoid long-term problems.

    Treatment for Sports Injuries

    Medicines/Pharmacotherapy

    One of the simplest methods for pain management involves utilizing conservative measures (such as resting the affected area and applying hot/cold packs) in conjunction with medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The addition of a neuropathic agent can be considered if pain becomes chronic.

    Braces

    To limit movement, alleviate pain, and expedite the healing process, various braces, such as thigh, elbow, arch, wrist, ankle, or knee braces, can be utilized depending on the injury site.

    Injections

    Administering intralesional injections in the affected area can offer substantial pain relief in situations where medications have been ineffective. It is recommended to complement these interventional techniques with consistent stretching and exercises to optimize outcomes.

    Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy

    PRP therapy involves the injection of platelets derived from the patient’s blood to regenerate damaged tendons or cartilage. This approach has proven effective not only in alleviating pain but also in stimulating the healing process. The patient’s blood is drawn and subjected to centrifugation for 15 minutes to separate the platelets. Subsequently, the platelet-rich plasma is injected into the injured area of the tendon or cartilage. PRP has been successfully utilized at Pro Spine & Spine for various sports injuries, including golfer’s elbow, tennis elbow, shoulder injuries, and knee ligament tears.

    Updated on Dec 4, 2024 by Pro Spine & Pain

    Pro Spine and Pain Team

    The interventional pain management physicians at Pro Spine & Pain are Ivy League-educated and trained. Recognized as Castle Connolly Top Doctors—a prestigious national accolade—we offer minimally invasive procedures to alleviate your pain and help you resume daily activities. Additionally, we specialize in regenerative medicine to initiate the healing process once you’re pain-free. Trusted by over 10,000 patients in Wisconsin, our team leverages multiple modalities to address your pain, including managing post-operative pain from previous surgeries. Our doctors prioritize upholding each patient’s dignity while delivering ethical and professional services.

    Our Team