Sports Injury Treatment
While hectic schedules are commonplace in Singapore, Singaporeans generally still try to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. You would frequently catch brisk walkers, joggers and cyclists working out during the cooler parts of the day. Moreover, when the safety measures permit, gyms are always packed with avid fitness enthusiasts.
Unfortunately, with increased physical activity, our bodies are exposed to higher risks of wear and tear, which could lead to injury. Even those who experience a sudden increase in activity after previously adopting sedentary lifestyles are not spared.
How do these common sports injuries arise?
Typically, these injuries are found at the body parts that perform the most movement or are exposed to the greatest amount of stress daily. A non-exhaustive list of common sports injuries includes neck strains that extend down to the shoulders, shoulder injuries, golfer's or tennis elbow, lower back and hip pain, knee and ankle strains, as well as aches and plantar fasciitis.
Aches and discomfort can originate from the joints and the surrounding soft tissue or muscles. After prolonged physical activity, these joints may get worn out, and soft tissue such as ligaments may get strained or torn. While muscle tears are uncommon, these tears are usually present in the smaller muscles and can affect muscle movement in areas like the shoulder and hip rotator groups.
Tendons, which are fibrous connective tissues that link your muscles to bones, are also commonly strained. A common tendon injury is the Achilles tendonitis condition. Stretching from your calf muscles to the heel bone, the Achilles tendon aids in regular walking and running. As such, this tendon is highly prone to being overused and inflamed, leading to Achilles tendonitis.
How are such injuries typically diagnosed?
When the area of pain is discrete and congruent with the injury site, clinical assessment for the patient would be straightforward. However, at times, pain in the neck, hip and back may encompass a huge area and cause the diagnosis to be tricky.
For instance, more than one muscle or tendon may be involved in shoulder and hip rotator injuries. Additionally, plantar fasciitis, an inflammation that causes pain in the heel of your foot, might be a seemingly simple injury but can also lead to tiny nerve compression.
If there has been persistent pain and suspicion of muscle tear, it’s best to see a professional immediately. Your doctor is likely to perform tests such as an ultrasound scan or MRI imaging to confirm the diagnosis and develop solutions for injury management. Apart from prescribing medication for your condition, treatment typically includes physiotherapy and imaging-guided injections.
Specifically, ultrasound-guided injections are highly accurate as they allow the doctor to control the needle placement in real-time, avoiding potentially dangerous areas such as blood vessels.
Our experienced anaesthesiologists are here to journey with you towards recovery
On top of an accurate diagnosis and a comprehensive follow up, our passionate doctors at The Anaesthesia And Pain Practice also work with our physiotherapy partners for a better pain management plan that will enhance your recovery. We strive to provide extended treatment and place patient care as our priority.
Get in touch.
If you’re looking for a team of leading specialists in Singapore to help you embark on a safe and comfortable recovery, drop us a call at 6429 1335 today.