Sports Injury Specialist

What Are Some of the Common Injuries Treated With Sports Medicine?

• Achilles Tendonitis — Damage to an Achilles tendon is one of the most common injuries in recreational sports, yet it’s one of the least-often treated. The Achilles tendon is connective tissue between the ankle and lower leg that is typically injured due to a lack of flexibility in a patient’s calf muscles. At times, injury to an Achilles tendon involves a rupture that requires a referral to an orthopedic surgeon, but most Achilles injuries are of the non-ruptured type. A simple, brief test performed by a sports medicine doctor determines the nature of a particular Achilles injury.

• Shin Splints — Lateral tibial stress syndrome, commonly called a “shin splint,” is the most common type of lower leg injury, especially among runners. Shin splints can create intense pain in the area along the medial border of the tibia into the foot. Lateral tibial stress syndrome not only is painful, but the result is weakness that may hinder a person from walking or running. This condition is routinely successfully treated with chiropractic therapy. Dr. Bobrowsky also consults with patients, giving advice on the type of exercise and running shoes that help prevent the potential for future shin splints.

• Herniated disc — There are rare occasions when a disc is so damaged that it requires surgery, but generally, spinal decompression is the therapy used by sports medicine doctors for this condition. Spinal decompression slowly expands the gap between vertebrae and creates negative pressure within a disc. This causes disc material to be drawn back while also increasing blood flow to the disc. With this therapy, the annual bands or layers of the disc can begin to create new cartilage fibers. The major advantage of spinal decompression is that a disc can heal without the need for surgery or a protracted recovery period.

When Should a Person Seek a Sports Medicine Therapist?

Professional care for a sports injury should be sought when:

• An injury causes prolonged swelling, numbness, or pain

• Weight cannot be tolerated in the area of injury

• A past injury shows new signs of weakness