At Beach Orthopedics, we help athletes and other active people get back to their peak performance. We understand that staying active is essential to a healthy lifestyle, which is why we work to ensure our patients have the most minimally-invasive procedures so they can heal faster and get back to their everyday activities as quickly as possible.
In this post, we’ll take a look at the most common sports medicine activities and surgeries we perform at BOSI to give you a better idea of what you can expect.
Shoulder Injuries
Shoulder injuries are common in activities that involve repetitive overhead movements, throwing, or heavy lifting. Some common shoulder sports injuries include rotator cuff tears, labral tears, SLAP tears, and fractures. Let’s take a closer look at each:
Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Tears can occur due to repetitive overhead motions, and are common in baseball pitchers, tennis players, and swimmers. Tears from lifting heavy weights or as a result of aging are also common.
Labral Tears
The labrum is cartilage that lines the rim of the shoulder socket. Tears can occur due to trauma—such as falling onto an outstretched arm—repetitive shoulder motion, or dislocation. This is common in athletes like volleyball and football players.
SLAP Tears
SLAP tears—which stands for Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior—involve the labrum and can be caused by repetitive throwing motions, falls on an outstretched arm, or sudden pulling on the arm, such as when trying to lift a heavy object. SLAP tears can occur in baseball players, tennis players, swimmers, and gymnasts—among others.
Fractures
Shoulder fractures can happen due to a fall or direct blow to the shoulder. Athletes involved in high-impact sports like skiing or cycling are at risk.
Knee Injuries
Knee injuries in sports can occur due to overuse, sudden impact, or improper technique. Here are some common knee sports injuries and how they typically happen:
ACL Tear
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tears often occur during sports that involve sudden stops, changes in direction, or jumping, such as basketball, soccer, or skiing. They can result from a sudden twisting motion or direct impact to the knee.
Meniscus Tear
The meniscus is a wedge-shaped cartilage in the knee that acts as a cushion. Meniscus tears can happen due to twisting the knee while bearing weight, common in sports like soccer, football, and basketball.
MCL Sprain
MCL (Medial Collateral Ligament) injuries frequently occur in contact sports like football or hockey. A blow to the outer side of the knee can cause the MCL to stretch or tear.
Patellar Tendinitis
Often referred to as Jumper’s Knee, patellar tendinitis is an overuse injury caused by repetitive jumping or running, common in sports like basketball and volleyball. It results in inflammation of the patellar tendon, which connects the kneecap to the shinbone.
Elbow Injuries
Elbow injuries are common amongst athletes involved in sports that require repetitive arm movements, throwing, or gripping. Such injuries can include:
Tennis Elbow
Known as Lateral Epicondylitis, tennis elbow is an overuse injury caused by repetitive gripping and wrist extension. It is common in tennis players but can also occur in athletes who play other racquet sports or engage in activities that involve repetitive gripping and twisting motions.
Golfer’s Elbow
Medial Epicondylitis, or golfer’s elbow, is similar to tennis elbow but affects the inner side of the elbow. It is caused by repetitive wrist flexion and gripping. Golfers are often affected, but it can also occur in athletes who participate in throwing sports and weightlifting.
Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury
The UCL is located on the inner side of the elbow and can result from repetitive throwing motions, leading to overuse and stress on the ligament. It’s commonly injured in throwing athletes, particularly baseball pitchers.
Fractures
Fractures of the bones in the elbow joint can occur due to trauma, such as a fall or a direct impact to the elbow. Fractures can affect the humerus (upper arm bone), radius, or ulna (forearm bones).
Hip Injuries
Hip injuries can result in sports from overuse, muscle imbalances, trauma, or poor technique. Here are some common hip sports injuries and how they typically happen:
Hip Flexor Strain or Tear
Hip flexor strains occur when the muscles that help lift the knee (iliopsoas muscles) are stretched or torn. This injury is common in sports that involve sprinting, kicking, or rapid changes in direction, such as soccer, football, or track and field.
Hip Labral Tear
The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket. Labral tears can occur due to repetitive movements, twisting motions, or direct trauma to the hip joint. Athletes involved in activities like ice hockey, soccer, golf, or ballet, which involve frequent hip rotation, are at risk.
Groin Strain
Groin strains involve the muscles of the inner thigh. They often happen in sports that require quick changes in direction, jumping, or kicking, such as soccer, hockey, or basketball.
Hip Fractures
Hip fractures can occur due to high-impact trauma, such as a fall or a direct blow to the hip. Athletes involved in contact sports like football or rugby are at risk.
Hand and Wrist Injuries
Hand and wrist injuries are common in various sports and can occur due to direct trauma, repetitive motions, or overuse. Some common hand and wrist sports injuries include:
Sprains and Fractures
Sprains occur when ligaments in the hand or wrist are stretched or torn, while fractures involve a break in the bones. Both injuries can result from falls, direct impact, or awkward landings, common in sports like skateboarding, snowboarding, or gymnastics.
Strains
Strains happen when muscles or tendons are stretched or torn. They can occur due to sudden movements or overuse, typical in sports that require gripping, such as rock climbing or weightlifting.
De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis
This is a painful condition that affects the tendons on the thumb side of the wrist. Overuse or repetitive gripping and twisting motions, common in activities like golf or racket sports, can cause this condition.
Jersey Finger
This injury happens when a finger tendon is avulsed (torn away) from its attachment due to forceful grasping or gripping, common in contact sports like rugby or American football.
Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries can occur due to overuse, poor footwear, improper training techniques, or sudden trauma. Here are a few of the most common foot and ankle injuries:
Sprained Ankle
Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments in the ankle are stretched or torn, often due to a sudden twist, turn, or roll of the foot. This injury is common in sports that involve running, jumping, or quick changes in direction, such as basketball, soccer, or tennis.
Achilles Tendonitis
Achilles tendonitis is inflammation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It can result from overuse, improper footwear, or inadequate stretching. Sports that require repetitive jumping or running, like basketball or sprinting, can contribute to this condition.
Plantar Fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a thick band of tissue that runs along the bottom of the foot. It’s a common overuse injury, often caused by excessive running or jumping activities. It can also occur due to wearing improper footwear, especially shoes with inadequate arch support.
Ankle Fractures
Ankle fractures can occur due to a direct blow, twisting, or rolling of the ankle joint. They’re common in sports like basketball, skateboarding, or skiing, where falls and high-impact collisions are possible.
Spine Injuries
Spine injuries can be particularly serious and have lasting implications for an athlete’s performance and quality of life. Here are some common spine sports injuries and how they typically happen:
Herniated Disc
A herniated disc occurs when the soft inner core of a vertebral disc pushes through the outer layer and compresses a nerve. This can happen due to repetitive strain, improper lifting techniques, or sudden twisting motions. Athletes involved in weightlifting, football, or golf are susceptible.
Spinal Fractures
Fractures in the spine can result from high-impact sports or traumatic events, such as falls or collisions. Athletes in contact sports like football, rugby, or hockey are at risk.
Spondylolysis and Spondylolisthesis
Spondylolysis is a stress fracture in a vertebra, most commonly in the lower back, while spondylolisthesis occurs when one vertebra slips forward over the vertebra below it. These conditions can result from overuse, hyperextension of the spine, or repetitive bending and twisting, common in activities like gymnastics, diving, or weightlifting.
Sciatica
Sciatica is a condition where the sciatic nerve, which runs from the lower back down the back of each leg, is irritated or compressed. It can cause pain, numbness, or tingling sensations. Sciatica can result from herniated discs or spinal stenosis, aggravated by activities involving prolonged sitting or bending, such as cycling or rowing.
If you’re suffering from any of the aforementioned injuries, please come in to see us at Beach Orthopedics and one of our specialists would be honored to help you get back to your healthy, active lifestyle.