Sports Medicine
Sports injuries can affect anyone, from professional athletes to recreational enthusiasts. At The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland Division, our board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic doctors specialize in sports medicine. From diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, our team is dedicated to helping athletes of all levels recover and perform at their best.
With locations in Catonsville, Columbia, Eldersburg, and Fulton, MD, our sports medicine specialists offer comprehensive care. We provide on-site diagnostic imaging and have a state-of-the-art surgical center, ensuring convenient access to all the services athletes need.
Conditions We Treat
Sports injuries engulf a major chunk of orthopedic injuries. They come with a variety of symptoms and often need various treatments. Some of the most commonly treated sports medicine conditions we treat in Maryland include:
Achilles Tendon Rupture
The Achilles tendon, located in the lower part of the leg, is crucial for powerful foot movements. As the strongest tendon in the human body, it connects the calf muscles to the heel bone, facilitating various physical activities.
Achilles tendon ruptures are often linked to sports injuries, particularly in individuals with weakened or inflamed tendons. These injuries can result from sudden forceful movements or repetitive stress on the tendon. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate treatment are essential for effective recovery.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a pivotal role in knee stability, connecting the thighbone (femur) to the lower leg. As one of the most frequently injured ligaments in the knee, an ACL tear can significantly impact mobility and athletic performance.
ACL tears often occur during activities involving sudden stops, changes in direction, or direct impact. Athletes and highly active individuals are particularly susceptible to this injury. Depending on the severity, treatment may involve non-surgical approaches or surgical intervention to restore knee function and stability.
Golfer's Elbow
Golfer's elbow, medically known as medial epicondylitis, is a condition characterized by the degeneration of tendons attaching to the inner elbow. This cumulative trauma injury is often associated with repetitive motions, such as those involved in golf swings or certain occupational activities.
Pain typically manifests at the point where the tendons attach to the elbow bone (medial epicondyle) and may extend down the forearm. While many individuals find relief from golfer's elbow through non-surgical treatments, surgical options, including both open and arthroscopic procedures, are available for cases requiring intervention.
Meniscal Tears
The menisci, vital cartilage structures within the knee joint, serve as protective cushions between bones. These crucial buffers can sustain tears, particularly during forceful twisting motions of the knee while the foot is firmly planted on the ground, often occurring during sports activities like football, tennis, or soccer.
While certain tears in specific areas of the meniscus may heal naturally, many cases necessitate surgical intervention. Arthroscopic surgery is the preferred method for addressing meniscus tears. This minimally invasive approach allows for faster recovery and fewer complications compared to traditional open-surgery techniques, as the joint is not fully opened during the procedure.
Other Knee Ligament Injuries
Your knee's stability relies on four essential ligaments connecting its bones. Positioned on the inner side of the knee, the medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) work together to resist side-to-side stress and maintain proper alignment.
Deep within the knee joint, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) play pivotal roles in joint alignment. Ligaments can suffer from sprains (stretching) or tears, either partially or fully. While the ACL is frequently injured, the PCL is also highly vulnerable to damage.
Pitcher's Elbow
Pitcher's elbow, commonly known as Little League Syndrome, arises from repetitive throwing motions often seen in sports such as baseball. While prevalent in baseball, this condition can also affect athletes in other sports involving similar throwing movements.
Symptoms of pitcher's elbow typically include pain and restricted motion. While rest and non-surgical interventions often alleviate the condition, untreated cases may escalate, necessitating surgical intervention to address significant issues.
Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears frequently contribute to shoulder discomfort. Comprising four shoulder muscles and their tendons, the rotator cuff envelops the upper end of the arm bone, forming a protective cuff.
Age-related degeneration and weakening of tendons and muscles heighten the risk of rotator cuff tears. These tears may also stem from abrupt shoulder movements, overuse during athletic activities like baseball pitching or tennis, or falls.
While some tears respond to non-surgical approaches, advancements in surgical techniques have led to less invasive procedures and enhanced recovery periods, yielding favorable outcomes.
Tennis Elbow
Tennis elbow, clinically known as lateral epicondylitis, manifests as the breakdown of tendon fibers connecting to the bone on the outer side of the elbow. The discomfort associated with tennis elbow primarily emanates from the attachment point of forearm muscle tendons to the elbow bone, specifically at the lateral epicondyle.
Although racquet sports are often implicated in the onset of tennis elbow, the majority of individuals affected by this condition engage in occupational or recreational activities necessitating repetitive use of forearm muscles.
Treatments
At The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland Division, we offer a wide yet comprehensive range of treatment options for sports injuries. With a versatile sports medicine team and various treatment options we provide treatment for almost all major sports injuries in our practice.
Arthroscopic Surgery
Arthroscopic surgery stands as a versatile solution for addressing a myriad of common sports injuries. This procedure enables orthopedic surgeons to visualize, diagnose, and address issues within a joint. Whether it is a knee ligament or cartilage injury like an ACL or meniscus tear, or shoulder injuries such as a rotator cuff tear or impingement syndrome, arthroscopy offers a viable treatment option.
Compared to traditional open surgery, arthroscopy is less invasive, resulting in reduced pain, minimal bleeding, lower infection risks, and shorter recovery periods.
Physical Therapy
With the exception of severe ligament, tendon, or cartilage tears, most sports injuries can initially benefit from physical therapy. Even for injuries requiring surgery, rehabilitation becomes an essential component of the post-operative recovery process.
The primary aim of physical therapy is to expedite the healing of your injury and facilitate your safe return to sports activities. Therapeutic exercises, including strength training, aerobic exercises, and stretching, play a pivotal role in your rehabilitation journey. These exercises not only enhance flexibility, strength, endurance, and posture but also aid in injury prevention, pain management, and overall physical well-being.
Furthermore, sport-specific exercises and modalities like heat, ice, and ultrasound may be integrated to augment the effectiveness of treatment.
OACM After Hours
At The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics Associates of Central Maryland (OACM) Division, we understand that orthopedic injuries do not always occur during regular office hours. That is why we offer after-hours orthopedic care to ensure you have access to prompt treatment when you need it most.
For orthopedic needs outside regular hours, visit OACM After Hours Care:
- Catonsville: Monday & Friday from 4-8 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM-1 PM
- Columbia: Monday-Friday from 4-8 PM, and Saturday from 9 AM-1 PM
Services include treatment for minor orthopedic injuries. Call (443) 524-2577 ahead for assistance.
Note: No COVID testing is available. For inquiries, call (410) 644-1880.
Sports Medicine in Central Maryland
Are you sidelined by an injury? Are you ready to tackle your sports-related injuries head-on? Look no further than Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland for top-notch sports medicine care.
Book your appointment online or connect with us via Klara messaging for streamlined communication. For appointments, call us at (410) 644-1880 or toll-free at (855) 4MD-BONE. If you require physical therapy services, please call our offices at (443) 478-4449. Your health and recovery are our top priorities.