Orthopedic Injuries and their causes/treatment

Knee injuries and pain are among the most common orthopedic problems that we evaluate but there are other injuries that can occur due to different types of sports. Below are a few examples of sports as well as some of the issues that can occur from participating in these activities.  

High-impact

• Running triathlons
• Basketball
• Tennis
• Soccer

Lower-impact

• Golf
• Cycling
• Skiing

These type of sports can put a toll on even the most fit and enthusiastic athlete over the years. This can lead to acute or chronic injury, with cartilage damage as a result, robbing you of the enjoyment of an active lifestyle.

Elbow and shoulder pain are often the result of chronic tendonitis or overuse. The stresses of throwing and overhead sports are often the culprit.

Muscle & tendon injuries (acute or chronic sprains, strains, pulls, inflammation) can keep you from engaging in the activities you enjoy as they may heal frustratingly slowly. Sprains and strains of muscles, tendons and ligaments can be an unfortunate consequence of the sporting life, especially as we get older and less supple. Fortunately, there are innovative new "Biologic" injection techniques that offer a chance to speed recovery from injury. Less time on the sideline leads to a quicker return to the activities and lifestyle you love.

Articular (“hard”) cartilage injuries, while less common and more difficult to discern, can result in long-term activity restrictions as well.

Fortunately, improved diagnostic abilities and innovative new treatment techniques such as “stem cell” grafts & cellular therapies are revolutionizing the recovery from this once lifestyle-threatening problem. Cartilage repair and restoration means minimizing the long-term possibility of pain and even arthritis after a successful return to your sport.

Sprains/Strains

Sprains and strains of muscles, tendons and ligaments can be an unfortunate consequence of the sporting life, especially as we get older and less supple. Fortunately, there are innovative new injection techniques such as PRP “platelet-rich plasma” that offer a chance to speed recovery from injury. Less time on the sideline leads to a quicker return to the activities and lifestyle you love.

Sports can be rough on joints and cartilage, especially shoulders, knees, and hips. Kelly Cunningham, MD, has cared for many young and mature athletes whose joints take a beating day in and day out. He welcomes patients from Austin, Texas, and its surrounding communities to experience the cutting-edge technology and skill offered by his team at Austin Ortho Biologics.

Dr. Cunningham works with each athlete to develop an individual treatment plan that emphasizes the least invasive treatments possible with a goal of minimal recuperation and downtime. He combines rigorous standards and quality of care with experience and insight, integrating the latest & best new techniques into the care of each patient.

Author

Dr. Kelly Cunningham Physician