Sports Medicine

According to the CDC, approximately 3.8 million people sustain a concussion each year. If you're an athlete participating in contact sports, you're particularly at risk. Trauma occurs when a blow to the head causes your brain to hit the inside of your skull. This produces bruising and can lead to concussion symptoms like headaches, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. 

If you think you have a concussion, see one of our head injury specialists to assess the severity of your injury. Concussion treatment typically involves rest and over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen. While healing, you should limit activities that require mental concentration.

Symptoms of a concussion headache usually improve within 5-7 days. You can resume nonstrenuous activities once you start feeling better. However, overexerting yourself could slow your recovery.

Sports Concussion Treatment

A sprain occurs when you stretch or tear ligaments. Ankle sprains are the most common, but you can suffer a sprain in various parts of your body. You may experience swelling, bruising and difficulty moving the injured area.

A strain usually involves muscles or tendons. In this case, the affected area tends to be sore, swollen, discolored, weak and painful to move.

If you move certain muscles and joints in a repetitive motion, you can end up with what's called an overuse injury. Areas typically prone to injury are your elbow, wrist, knee, ankle or your shoulder's rotator cuff.   

Learn About Shoulder Injuries

Fractures are among the most common sports injuries. Issues range from stress fractures caused by overuse to severe compound fractures. Your orthopedic surgeon at Novant Health will determine the severity of the fracture and discuss your treatment options. They may take X-rays or do an MRI to assess the damage.

If you have a stress fracture, meaning there's a crack in the bone, you may be able to avoid surgery through rest and pain medication. But if the injury is more serious, like a bone separation, you'll most likely need surgery to repair the damage.

Our orthopedic specialists are specifically trained to handle all types of bone injuries and will set you up with a rehabilitation plan to get you back to your life.

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An injury to your shoulder, hip, knee or elbow joint can occur during intense exercise or from an unexpected twist or fall. If you have persistent pain, this could be a sign you're overusing the joint.

Treating mild joint injuries usually involves the RICE method — rest, ice, compression and elevation. A support brace or cast can also stabilize the affected area. If the damage is more severe, your provider may recommend surgery. A Novant Health sports medicine physician or specialist will evaluate your condition and work with you to develop a treatment plan that's right for you.   

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