Sports Medicine

Premier Orthopedics of Fort Worth

Board Certified Orthopedic Specialists & Orthopedic Surgeons located in Fort Worth, TX & Granbury, TX

Playing sports or maintaining a high level of physical activity can go a long way in helping you stay fit, especially as you get older. But the very activities that keep you in prime condition can also increase your risk of injury. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports-medicine specialist Kraig Pepper, DO, PA offers comprehensive sports-injury rehabilitation to men and women who have suffered sprains, strains, overuse damage, or other types of musculoskeletal trauma in the game or on the field. Call his office in Fort Worth, Texas or schedule an appointment online today.

Sports Medicine Q & A

What is sports medicine?

Like any type of injury rehabilitation that aims to heal, foster complete recovery, and prevent injury recurrence, sports medicine combines a variety of targeted treatment strategies to help athletes and other highly active individuals recover from musculoskeletal trauma safely, quickly, and effectively.

Sports medicine covers many different aspects of injury care and healing, ranging from exercise physiology and physical therapy to biomechanics and lifestyle considerations. Dr. Pepper uses this comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach to help athletes heal and restore a level of mobility and functionality that allows them to return to their sport and continue to excel.

What are the common sports injuries?

Some of the most common sports-related injuries that Dr. Pepper sees in his office include:

Overuse injuries

Tendonitis, including tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, is arguably the most common sports-related overuse injury. It occurs when tendons and muscles become inflamed following repeated and intense use.

Plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis, a painful foot problem caused by inflammation in the connective tissue of the arch, is often the result of poor posture or alignment issues that place uneven stress on your feet.

Joint pain

Runners, basketball players, and other athletes who subject their joints to constant impact are more likely to develop chronic joint pain.

Muscle or ligament tears

Athletes who play soccer, baseball, and other sports that require quick changes of direction are more susceptible to painful muscle or ligament tears.

Spine injuries

Those who play contact sports like football or lacrosse have an increased risk of disc herniation, nerve impingement, spinal misalignment, and whiplash.

How does movement promote recovery?

Because early movement is critical to quick and effective injury rehabilitation, sports medicine uses therapeutic physical therapy exercises to introduce movement as soon as possible in the recovery process.

Movement is so important to initial injury recovery because it reduces inflammation, and inflammation that’s allowed to linger can inhibit muscular firing patterns and create imbalances and instability around the injury itself. Early movement also helps re-establish a better range of motion and promotes normal muscular firing patterns, both of which ultimately help restore optimal muscular strength.

Sports-injury rehabilitation exercises usually aren’t overly complicated or time-consuming. In fact, for the majority of Dr. Pepper’s patients, the key to success is performing simple, targeted exercises that reinstate strength and mobility, followed by functional or sport-specific exercises designed to get you back on course and prevent further injury.

To find out how sports medicine can help you get back in the game, call Dr. Pepper’s office or schedule an appointment online today.

Featured