It is a well-known fact that playing sports and regularly exercising can help with your fitness, improve your mood and in some cases, keep you connected socially. However, there are some downsides. Repetitive routines or overexertion can cause you to get injured.
What do you do when this happens and you can’t go the gym or participate in sports anymore? Prevention is better than cure, but if you’re already injured, this article is for you. We have outlined five common sports injuries and the minimally invasive treatments you can use to ease symptoms, recover quickly, minimise downtime and get back to performing at your optimal best.
5 Common Sports Injuries Today
In sports, injuries are common and athletes constantly suffer from sprains, strains, and other issues. However, it should be mentioned that these aren’t injuries that only affect athletes, they can happen to anyone. So let’s take a look at some of them here:
1. Tennis Elbow (Lateral Epicondylitis)
Tennis elbow is pain on the outer elbow that continues, from the overuse of the forearm muscles and tendons from repetitive wrist and arm motions. Common among anyone who swings a racket or does heavy manual work, it’s not just for tennis players.
It’s a concern for those in jobs with constant wrist use or tight gripping, like painters, plumbers, and gardeners. The pain varies from a slight twinge during tasks to a constant ache at rest.
2. Patellar Tendinitis (Jumper’s Knee)
Jumper’s knee occurs when you overuse the tendon connecting your kneecap to your shinbone. This tendon lets your knee stretch for hopping and sprinting. Excessive strain causes tiny tears, leading to irritation. Ignoring it can weaken the tendon, increasing the risk of tears or ruptures.
3. Golfer’s Elbow (Medial Epicondylitis)
Pain which persists from the elbow area to the forearm is the sign of a golfer’s elbow. As well as affecting those who play golf, this condition affects those who regularly do tasks such as gripping or wrist movement, causing the same discomfort.
Small tears in the tendons attached to the inner elbow bone lead to inflammation. Despite its name, it affects anyone who often uses their wrists or fingers. This includes tennis players, bowlers, typists, and knitters.
4. Bursitis
Bursitis occurs when the fluid-filled sacs known as bursae become inflamed. These bursae prevent bones from grinding against muscles, tendons, and skin. Expect swelling, pain, and less mobility in the joint. While it often hits the shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, bursitis can show up anywhere these little sacs exist.
5. Achilles Tendinitis
Achilles tendinitis occurs when the largest tendon in the body, the Achilles tendon, which runs from the calf muscle down to the heel bone, becomes inflamed.
This tendon facilitates elevating the body onto the toes, a movement required for running, walking, jumping, and climbing stairs. Painful Achilles tendinitis results from repetitive motion and inadequate rest between activities.
4 Minimally-Invasive Treatments for Sports Injuries
We’ve discussed some of the injuries many go through today; but all hope isn’t lost. There are minimally invasive treatments that offer effective solutions for joint and tendon issues while reducing recovery time and minimising surgical risks.
Some of these are:
1. Shockwave Therapy
Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is a non-invasive treatment that utilises high-energy acoustic shockwaves to stimulate the body’s natural healing and tissue regeneration processes in injured ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues.
This treatment is a favourite in sports medicine, orthopaedics, and rehab circles, where practicality meets cutting-edge science. It’s all about cutting through the pain by getting right to the nerves at the injury site.
Application: Tennis Elbow, Patellar Tendinitis, Bursitis and Achilles Tendinitis
2. Trigger Point Injections
Trigger point injections go straight to the heart of myofascial pain, taking on those tough muscle knots in areas like the neck, lower back, arms, and legs. These knots, or trigger points, often spring up from sudden or repeated stress on muscle fibres that limit movement. It’s about digging deep to find the source of the pain and working out the stubborn knots.
Application: Golfer’s Elbow and Achilles Tendinitis
3. Knee, Shoulder and Hip Injections
Knee, shoulder and hip injections work by administering medication directly into the affected area to reduce inflammation and manage your pain and discomfort, allowing you to regain flexibility and mobility in your joints.
Application: Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis and Bursitis
4. Combination Therapies
While each treatment has its specific applications, combining these minimally invasive treatments can enhance pain relief and promote faster recovery.
For instance, using shockwave therapy alongside trigger point injections can address both tissue regeneration and muscle relaxation, providing comprehensive pain management for injuries like Achilles tendinitis and bursitis. These treatment options are also available for chronic pain conditions, such as back pain or spinal pain, particularly when alternative options like acupuncture haven’t provided sufficient pain relief.
Final Thoughts
Everyone often faces an assortment of injuries, either from daily life or sports-related. These conditions can significantly disrupt athletic performance and affect daily activities. If you are dealing with ongoing pain from any such injuries, visiting a pain relief clinic is crucial.
In Singapore, Total Pain Specialist Clinic offers a thorough approach to pain management, employing methods like radiofrequency ablation, shockwave therapy, and pulsed radiofrequency to ensure the best results. Contact us today to arrange a consultation and work towards optimal performance.
Total Pain Specialist