Sports Injuries

Playing sports gives you plenty of benefits, but a high physical activity level comes with increased injury risk. At Family and Sport Medicine Institute of NJ in Summit and Montclair, New Jersey, Melissa Mascaro, MD, Joelle Stabile Rehberg, DO, and Christina Hector, DO, provide sports injury care using advanced evidence-based treatments. Call Family and Sport Medicine Institute of New Jersey or schedule an appointment online for your initial evaluation today.

What are sports injuries?

Athletes are at an increased risk of many musculoskeletal injuries because of their high level of physical activity. While exercise is great for your health, it also comes with some injury risks. These are sports injuries, and they can happen from any type of physical movement. 

The team at Family and Sport Medicine Institute of NJ specializes in diagnosing, evaluating, and treating sports injuries with personalized care. The team has a high level of training to treat and rehabilitate your injury so you can recover and return to your game. 

What are some of the most common sports injuries?

There are almost countless injuries that can happen in sports. The team at Family and Sport Medicine Institute of NJ can tell you about the specific sports injuries most common in your sport. 

Sports injuries can be split into two categories:

Acute injuries

Acute injuries happen suddenly and typically cause instant pain or other symptoms. Examples include sprains, strains, and concussions. 

Overuse injuries

Overuse injuries develop over time the more you use a specific muscle or muscle group, causing increasing pain. Examples include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, runner’s knee, and Achilles tendinitis. 

How are sports injuries diagnosed?

The team at Family and Sport Medicine Institute of NJ starts your care with a detailed diagnostic evaluation to assess your injury and start planning treatment. They perform a physical exam and ask about your symptoms and when they started. 

The team might also use imaging tests like ultrasound or X-rays to see injured bones and soft tissue, so they know just how severe the injury is. 

How are sports injuries treated?

Sports injury treatment involves personalized care according to the type of injury you have, its severity, your age, and other relevant factors. Family and Sport Medicine Institute of NJ might recommend:

• Rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)
• Ultrasound-guided injections (e.g., platelet-rich plasma or corticosteroids)
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Acupressure
• Immobilization with a cast or brace
• Medications

The team lets you know when it’s safe to integrate physical activity into your routine as you recover from a sports injury. 

Call Family and Sport Medicine Institute of NJ or schedule an appointment online for personalized sports medicine today.