Sports Medicine in Melbourne
Sports injuries can occur when playing indoor or outdoor sports, or even while exercising. These injuries can result from accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching and warm-up exercises. The most common sports injuries are sprains, fractures and dislocations. At Melbourne Arthritis, we offer sports medicine in Melbourne to assist with all types of sports injuries.
We can provide pain free treatment options that address physical trauma and alleviate chronic pain. Whether you’ve sustained a hamstring strain or suffered a rotator cuff tear, we can help you on the path to recovery and give you the best chance of restoring function to the affected area, allowing you to return to your physical activities as soon as possible.
The R.I.C.E Method for Sports Injuries
The most common treatment that our sports doctor in Melbourne recommends for a sports injury is rest, ice, compression and elevation (RICE):
The biceps muscle is present on the front side of your upper arm and functions to help you bend and rotate your arm.
- Rest: Avoid activities that may cause further damage or another injury.
- Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injured area, which will help reduce swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel on the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly over the skin.
- Compression: Compression of the injured area also helps reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts and splints can accomplish this.
- Elevation: Elevate the injured part above your heart level to reduce swelling and pain.
Additional Methods of Care
Our sports physician in Melbourne will also recommend some of the following measures to prevent future sports-related injuries:
- Following an exercise program to strengthen the muscles.
- Ensuring that you wear properly-fitted protective gear such as elbow guards, eye gear, facemasks, mouth guards and pads, comfortable clothes, and athletic shoes before playing any sports activity, which will help reduce the chances of injury.
- Making sure that you follow warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after the sports activity. Exercises will help stretch muscles, increase flexibility and reduce soft tissue injuries.
- Avoiding exercising immediately after eating a large meal.
- Maintaining a healthy diet which will nourish the muscles.
- Avoiding playing when you are injured or tired, and taking a break for a while after playing.
- Learning all the rules of the game you are participating in.
- Ensuring that you are physically fit to play the sport.
Common Sports Injuries
Foot and Ankle Injuries
Foot and ankle injuries include the injuries in the leg below the knee, and they are common in athletes who play sports such as football, hockey and skating. Common sports injuries to the foot and ankle include sprains and strains, ankle fractures, and Achilles tendinitis. Our sports doctor in Melbourne offers a range of treatments for foot and ankle conditions, including orthotics, braces, physical therapy, injections or surgery.
Shoulder Injuries
Severe pain in your shoulders while playing tennis, basketball and gymnastics may be caused by a torn ligament or dislocation of the shoulder bone. These may result from overuse of your shoulder while participating in these activities. Simple pain or acute injuries may be treated with conservative sports medicine treatment, while chronic injuries may require surgical treatment.
Hip Injuries
Fractures of the femur bone, labral tears and hip dislocations are some of the common sports injuries affecting the hip. The hip joint bears more weight and is more susceptible to injury while playing sports. Hip injuries require immediate medical intervention to avoid further complications. Rehabilitation programs and physical therapy is often recommended following medical intervention, where you need to perform certain exercises to strengthen your muscles and restore function.
Knee Injuries
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major stabilising ligament in the knee which may tear when stressed while playing sports. To add insult to injury, the ACL has a poor ability to heal and may cause instability. Other common knee-related sports injuries include cartilage damage and meniscal tear. Knee injuries during sports may require surgical intervention, which can be performed using open surgery or a minimally invasive technique. Your surgeon will recommend physical therapy to strengthen your muscles, improve elasticity, and enhance movement of the bones and joints.
What Does Laser Treatment Do for Sports Injuries?
Studies have shown that low level laser therapy can enhance pain relief and increase the speed at which soft tissues heal. This makes it useful for athletes who have sustained minor injuries while running, swimming, biking or participating in other activities like tennis.
Make a Booking with Our Sports Physician in Melbourne Today
There’s no better choice than Melbourne Arthritis when it comes to sports medicine in Melbourne. Contact our sports physician in Melbourne today to learn more or make an appointment. Alternatively, you can visit one of our clinics, located within short travelling distance of East Melbourne, Templestowe Lower, Ringwood East, Wantirna, Vermont South and Mulgrave.
Muscle injuries for all joints
A muscle injury, also called a muscle strain or a pulled muscle, can occur when a muscle is overstrained. This can happen during sports or with regular activities.
Plasma Rich in Growth Factors (PRGF)
Plasma rich in growth factors is a biological delivery system of a complex mixture of bioactive proteins essential to natural repair, including anabolic and protective factors for cartilage, and other important growth factors. In the past decade, several crucial roles of growth factors have been identified in joint repair.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation refers to the injection of a hyaluronan preparation into the joint. Hyaluronan is a natural substance present in the joint fluid that assists in lubrication. It allows smooth movement of the cartilage covered articulating surfaces of the joint.
Durolane injection for osteoarthritis
Durolane is a preparation of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance present in the joint fluid that assists in lubrication. It allows smooth movement of the cartilage-covered articulating surfaces of the joint. In osteoarthritis, joint fluid becomes thinner and does not provide enough protection. Durolane is a gel preparation that is injected into the joint to replenish joint fluid and stimulate the production of new hyaluronic acid. This provides symptomatic relief and can delay the need for surgery.
Cortisone Injections
Cortisone is a corticosteroid released by the adrenal gland in response to stress and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Artificial preparations containing cortisone are injected directly into the affected joint to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound imaging is a common diagnostic procedure which uses high-frequency sound waves to produce dynamic images (sonograms) of organs, tissues, or blood flow within the body. Ultrasonography is a technical term for ultrasound imaging.
Radiology Investigations
Radiology is a medical specialty involving the study of images of the human body. Imaging simply means creating an image of the inner configuration of a dense object, such as part of the human body, with the use of radiant energy.
Physiotherapy Treatments
Physiotherapy or physical therapy is an exercise program that helps you to improve movement, relieve pain, encourage blood flow for faster healing, and restore your physical function and fitness level. The main aim of physical therapy is to make your daily activities, such as walking, getting in and out of bed, or climbing stairs, easier.