Sports Injury Doctors — New York City

An important part of a well-rounded lifestyle is engaging in activities that make us happy. Whether it is the goal to incorporate exercise into your life or you simply enjoy the edge of friendly competition, many people turn to sports as a release. Individuals who play football with friends on the weekend all the way to professional athletes who are training for the upcoming season are all susceptible to sports injuries, and at Manhattan Pain & Sports Associates, we don’t want to see you on the sidelines. From minor strains and sprains to more serious issues, our team is here to help with an approach to treatment and injury prevention that’s comprehensive and effective.

Strains and sprains

Some of the most common sports injuries, strains and sprains can take busy New Yorkers off of their feet for far longer than they can afford. Both of these issues are caused by a stretching or tearing of tendons, ligaments, or muscles, resulting in pain, swelling, and limited range of movement. They occur most frequently in the knee, wrist, or ankle and can happen during nearly any type of sport.

Rotator cuff injury

An integral part of your shoulder, the rotator cuff is made up of tendons and muscles. It works to stabilize your shoulder and aids in smooth movement, whether you are throwing a football or swinging a tennis racket. Overuse or a specific injury to the area can cause a strain or tear in this area, creating frequent pain and an inability to move your shoulder and arm freely.

Anterior cruciate ligament tear

You may have heard the term ACL when discussing sports injuries, as it is a common issue that plagues athletes. The anterior cruciate ligament works to control the motion of your knee, and a sudden twisting action can create a painful tear. Individuals who tear their ACL experience pain, swelling, and may not even be able to walk normally until they have received treatment from a sports medicine doctor.

Shin Splints

One of the more common types of sports injuries, seen particularly in runners, is shin splints. While they can be attributed to a number of issues including flat feet or poorly fitting shoes, they occur when the shinbone and surrounding connective tissue becomes inflamed. Shin splints may heal on their own or can require the attention of a primary care physician or sports medicine doctor.

If you would like to get more detailed information about the causes of sports injuries, please click here.

While the type and severity of sports injuries can vary dramatically, the team at Manhattan Pain & Sports Associates takes a detailed approach to diagnosing the location and extent of your pain. You can’t afford to take time out of your life to be in pain, so it is our goal to get to the bottom of the issue in a comprehensive and efficient manner. Our state of the art office offers all of the tools needed to make an accurate diagnosis, and we will walk you through every step of the visit to ensure you feel comfortable.

Our initial diagnosis will begin with gathering an understanding of the details of your specific injury if you can recall them. Next, we will perform a visual examination that identifies any instances of swelling and pain. Diagnosing a sports injury takes into account your current range of motion within the affected area, and we may ask you to move various parts of your body to see how they function.

Many injuries, whether it is a strain, sprain, rotator cuff tear, or other orthopedic condition, can be identified through the use of various testing equipment. Our team may order an X-ray or MRI to evaluate the bones and soft tissue surrounding the injury, or we may find that an ultrasound is more effective as it helps us to visualize the internal structure of the area. By using state of the art equipment, we are better able to complete a full diagnosis of the issue, which allows us to develop a comprehensive treatment plan.

The team at Manhattan Pain & Sports Associates knows that you do not have hours to spend at the physician’s office, so we make it a priority to provide accurate diagnoses of a range of sports injuries. Our training in sports medicine has made us one of the preferred practices in the city, as our goal is to offer pain relief that lets you get back to doing what you love.

Finding a solution to your pain is essential, but just as important as embarking upon a treatment plan is the ability to engage in injury prevention in the future. Remember, recurring sports injuries can lead to permanent damage to your body, so our team approaches your specific treatment options with great care and consideration. After performing a comprehensive diagnosis, we will take the time to discuss all of your options to determine what best meets your needs.

Depending on the type of issue, we may recommend a variety of choices to help get you back on your feet. For sprains and strains, as well as minor injuries to the rotator cuff, anterior cruciate ligament, or even shin splints, the advice of RICE still rings true. This acronym stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. In many cases, limiting the use of the injured area along with these other treatments will resolve your concern quickly.

More serious concerns affecting your ACL or shoulder could call for more specific treatment. Depending on your level of pain and mobility, our physicians may suggest a steroid injection to help you sleep better and maintain your normal level of productivity. It should be noted, however, that these injections are used with great caution and are intended as a temporary solution. Repeated steroid treatments can ultimately weaken your tendons.

In most instances of sports injuries, physical therapy is highly recommended, and may be complemented by additional treatments including massage or acupuncture. A specific set of exercises will be custom tailored to your needs with the goal of strengthening the muscles around the affected area. PT may be performed at home or in a medical office, and the duration will vary based upon your specific injury.

As a final resort, our team may recommend surgery if the injury is too extensive and other treatment methods will not provide relief. Again, the professionals at Manhattan Pain & Sports Associates begin with minimally invasive plans first, and will only recommend surgery if none of the above options has proven effective.

Visit our office today for the most comprehensive treatment options available. We value your needs and will only recommend options that are right for you. Our goal is to get you back into the game in as little time as possible!