Sports Medicine

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Sports Medicine in Burleson, Fort Worth & Mansfield, TX

We Get You Back To Doing What You Love Most

Sports medicine is a relatively new subspecialty area of orthopaedic medicine. It began by focusing on Olympians and other professional athletes who needed an expert physician on the sideline in case of an injury. Over time, it has evolved into serving the broader population of athletes, including high school, collegiate, and adult athletes. People who are physically active in exercise or fitness programs may also benefit from seeing a sports medicine specialist.

Lone Star Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists has several sports medicine doctors on staff, including Dr. Von Evans and Dr. John Thomas. These doctors are experienced with injuries of all kinds, and they know how an injury can impact your ability to work out and perform. They also have a deep understanding of athletic training and can provide care meeting your unique needs as an athlete.

Injured athletes require prompt attention and effective solutions that yield results quickly. Reducing the recovery period is essential, but not without sacrificing safety.

A sports medicine doctor with an athlete patient in Fort Worth, TX

How Our Sports Medicine Doctors Can Help You

A sports medicine doctor specializes in the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. They are trained to address a wide range of physical conditions, from acute injuries like fractures, sprains, and strains, to chronic issues like tendonitis and stress fractures. They can help by:

  1. Diagnosing Injuries: Through physical examinations and diagnostic tests such as X-rays or MRIs, they can identify the specific nature and extent of an injury.
  2. Treatment Plans: They create comprehensive treatment plans that may include medications, physical therapy, and sometimes surgery. The aim is to manage pain, heal the injury, and restore function.
  3. Rehabilitation: Sports medicine doctors often work closely with physical therapists to design rehabilitation programs. These are tailored to help patients regain strength and flexibility, and to ensure proper recovery.
  4. Prevention Advice: They provide guidance on injury prevention, offering advice on proper techniques, equipment, and training regimens that minimize the risk of injury.
  5. Nutrition and Performance: They can offer nutritional advice to support healing and performance, as well as strategies to enhance athletic performance within healthy and safe parameters.
  6. Conditioning: These doctors can suggest conditioning programs that maintain physical fitness during recovery and improve overall athletic performance.

Conditions and Treatments

  • ACL injuries
  • Ankle instability
  • Anterior knee pain
  • Cartilage tears
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Little league syndrome (pitcher’s elbow)
  • Meniscus injuries
  • Overuse injuries (tendinitis)
  • Patellar tendon tear
  • Patellofemoral (kneecap) instability
  • PCL injuries
  • Rotator cuff tear
  • Shoulder impingement
  • Shoulder instability
  • Sprains and strains
  • Tennis elbow
  • Many more

Treatment may include a combination of therapeutic injections, physical therapy, and, if necessary, surgery. Partial tears can usually heal without surgery, and we offer advanced pain management techniques such as PRP therapy to speed up the recovery process. For injuries requiring surgery, arthroscopy is usually appropriate. This minimizes scar tissue, bleeding, pain, and, most importantly, downtime.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is sports medicine only for athletes?

A: No, sports medicine isn’t just for athletes. While it focuses on sports-related medical services, it benefits anyone who is active or wants to start an exercise program, especially those with chronic health conditions or those recovering from injury. Sports medicine doctors can tailor exercise and wellness plans to suit individual health needs and fitness levels, emphasizing injury prevention and healthy lifestyles.

Q: What conditions do sports medicine doctors treat?

A: They treat conditions that include acute injuries like concussions, sprains, and bone fractures, and chronic problems such as arthritis, tendonitis, and overuse injuries like stress fractures. They also manage nutritional and metabolic issues affecting athletic performance.

Q: How do sports medicine specialists diagnose injuries?

A: Diagnosis typically begins with a thorough history and physical exam, followed by imaging tests such as X-rays or MRIs if needed. Functional assessments are also performed to understand the impact of the injury on movement and athletic performance.

Q: What non-surgical treatments are available?

A: Available non-surgical treatments include physical therapy, bracing, injections (like corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma), anti-inflammatory medications, and regenerative medicine. Dietary changes and lifestyle modifications are often part of the treatment plan.

Q: When is surgery considered?

A: Surgery may be necessary if non-surgical treatments are ineffective or if the injury is severe, like complete ligament tears or complex fractures. The objective of surgery is to repair, reconstruct, or replace the damaged area to restore its function.

Q: Can sports medicine help with concussion management?

A: Yes, specialists are adept at managing concussions, prescribing appropriate rest, a gradual return to activity, and monitoring the recovery process. They work collaboratively with other experts when necessary.

Q: What role does physical therapy play?

A: Physical therapy is vital for the rehabilitation of sports injuries, focusing on restoring strength, flexibility, and endurance. Therapists also provide education on injury prevention and can help develop conditioning programs to boost performance.

Q: Are there special considerations for pediatric or adolescent athletes?

A: Pediatric and adolescent athletes require treatments and training programs that are appropriate for their developing bodies and focus on preventing injuries. They also address specific growth-related conditions.

Q: How does your team support an athlete’s mental health?

A: The team supports mental health by acknowledging the psychological effects of injury and performance stress. They may provide mental conditioning, and sports psychologists offer counseling and mental strategies for overcoming challenges.

Q: What is the role of diet and nutrition?

A: Diet and nutrition are key, providing the necessary energy and nutrients for performance and recovery. Doctors often provide nutritional advice, supplement recommendations, and work with dietitians to create tailored nutrition plans.

Why Choose Lonestar Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists?

At Lone Star Orthopaedic and Spine Specialists, Dr. Evans and Dr. Thomas are board-certified sports medicine specialists with additional fellowship training. You will work one-on-one with a sports medicine specialist to identify and correct your problem as quickly and safely as possible. We also emphasize patient education, so you can learn ways to prevent a repeat injury.

Request an appointment online or call (817) 926-2663.

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If you are looking for pain management in TX, we can help. We believe that we can truly improve a patient’s quality of life. Use our secure online appointment request form or call us today to schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Fort Worth, Mansfield, or Burleson, TX.

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