Sports Medicine
Quick Care Clinic | Sports Injury Clinic | Sports Medicine Foundation
No matter what type or level of athlete you are – whether you’re a weekend warrior or professional athlete – being sidelined by an injury is no fun. When you want to return to your pre-injury level of activity, you can count on the sports medicine experts at Watauga Orthopaedics.
As the team physicians for several area high schools and colleges, as well as professional and Olympic athletes, our doctors lead the region in diagnosing and successfully treating sports-related injuries such as:
Watauga Orthopaedics is the only practice in northeast Tennessee to offer Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) therapy – one of the most innovative and minimally invasive treatments for sports injuries available today. PRP therapy uses your own blood cells to stimulate the natural healing process and decrease the pain associated with acute and chronic tendon and ligament injuries. Learn more about PRP therapy.
Prevention
Of course, the best course of action is to prevent sports injuries, but prevention requires hard work and dedication. It is important to have overall physical fitness while also focusing on the parts of the body that undergo the most stress during play. Exercising and strengthening those specific muscles will help to effectively lower the risks of sports injuries. Speak with an athletic trainer or sports medicine specialist to determine which exercises produce the best results.
Eating healthy can lower risk of injury by strengthening the body, maintaining healthy weight, and increasing focus. It also speeds up muscle recovery after a workout or injury. Healthy nutrition includes:
- Breakfast every morning
- Healthy snacks
- Low-fat dairy products and “good fats” found in nuts and seeds
- Lots of fruits and vegetables
- Limited sugar and sweet intake
- Plenty of hydration
It is important to drink mostly water, although low-fat milk and 100% juice drinks are also fine. Avoid sodas and energy drinks as much as possible as they can cause dehydration. It is also imperative that athletes drink plenty of water during workouts. The American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Sports Medicine recommends 5 to 10 minute water breaks every 30 minutes when the temperature is 82 degrees or higher.
In spite of athletes’ and coach’s best efforts, some athletes do get hurt. Injuries are inevitable, so it is important to know how to treat an injury right after it occurs, before the athlete is able to be seen by a healthcare provider.
Follow the R.I.C.E principle—Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Rest – Avoid all activity that can possibly be avoided. Use crutches, a sling, etc. if necessary.
Ice – Every 2 hours, apply ice for 15-20 minutes. Be sure to use a barrier between the ice and the skin.
Compression – For the first 72 hours after the injury occurs, wrap the injured area with a compression bandage. Only remove the bandage during the icing periods.
Elevation – Raise the injured body part sufficiently above the level of their heart.
For some injuries, this method is all that is needed for healing, and the athlete can gradually increase his or her activity level back to where it was before the injury. But for some, this method is merely the pre-care needed before the athlete is seen by a healthcare provider.
Head Injuries
A head injury, or even a mere blow to the head, should never be overlooked. Concussions not only occur when an athlete suffers a blow to the head, but they can also occur when the head and upper body are shaken violently. The symptoms may not appear for hours or days, so it is important to follow some basic safety precautions. If it looks like an athlete may have suffered a blow to the head or other violent action involving the head, immediately remove the player from the game, regardless of how the athlete claims he or she feels. Inform the athlete’s parents or guardian(s) and have the athlete checked by an experienced head trauma healthcare provider.
Symptoms to look for are dizziness, stunned or dazed expressions, delayed replies to questions, confusion, forgetfulness, and mood swings. If the athlete blacks out, even for a brief moment, go to the emergency room or call 911. Athletes who have suffered concussions have claimed to have a headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other balance problems, blurred or double vision, fatigue, sensitivity to light, and/or confusion.
Head injuries are no joke and should be monitored closely. In most cases, athletes should not return to play until cleared by a professional healthcare provider.
Quick Care Clinic
For immediate treatment of a sports injury, visit our Quick Care Clinic. From fractures to ankle sprains to torn ligaments and tendons, you’ll receive same-day care from one of our orthopaedic doctors. No appointment is necessary – you can walk in and be seen within minutes!
It’s much more convenient and affordable than the emergency room, and you’ll receive care from a sports medicine specialist, which you won’t find at a general walk-in medical clinic.
For your convenience, Quick Care is available at both our Johnson City and Kingsport offices. Learn more.
If you are an injured athlete, call our office at (423) 282-9011, request an appointment online, or visit our Quick Care Clinic and we’ll get you back in the game as soon as possible!
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Sports Injury Clinic
Watauga Orthopaedics is committed to providing the best orthopedic care for student athletes at all schools in the Tri-Cities area. Jerry Robertson, ATC, our Sports Medicine Liaison, is available to coaches, trainers, and athletes 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for any orthopaedic problem sustained during the course of sports participation. He can arrange an appointment with one of our sports medicine experts and help facilitate your visit, including any additional onsite services that may be necessary, such as X-rays, MRI, or physical therapy.
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Sports Medicine Foundation
Founded in 2003, Watauga Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to research and education programs that ensure delivery of the highest quality medical care. The foundation promotes research, education, and community service as primary components of overall patient care.
Research
The dedicated physicians and researchers at Watauga Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Foundation are actively involved in medical research relating to the causes, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of musculoskeletal diseases and disorders. Our research programs encompass total joint replacement; arthroscopy; sports medicine; fracture care; reconstructive hip, knee, foot and ankle surgery; hand surgery; spine surgery; physical medicine and rehabilitation; electrodiagnosis; and injury prevention.
Education
Watauga Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Foundation promotes educational and learning opportunities by organizing symposiums, sports medicine meetings, and training programs for coaches, physical therapists, athletic trainers, physician assistants, and physicians. We also offer the Physician Assistant Fellowship program. This 6-month-long post-graduate orthopedic surgery program trains qualified candidates to assist physicians in general orthopaedic surgery, spine surgery, hand and wrist surgery, foot and ankle surgery, and sports injury treatment. Fellows also gain experience in physical and rehabilitation medicine and radiology.
Community Service
Watauga Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Foundation works closely with local hospitals, schools, and colleges to assist in musculoskeletal care and frequently lends a helping hand to local hospitals by donating supplies and equipment. The Foundation organizes educational seminars for coaches and students, and conducts assessments for middle schools and high schools. Additionally, we have organized extensive coverage of road races; soccer and basketball tournaments; high school, college, and university sports events; and events like the Special Olympics, World Championship Skiing 2003, US Open 2004 and The Masters Water Ski and Wakeboard Tournament.
We welcome your assistance to help us further our research, education, and community service programs. All donations to Watauga Orthopaedics Sports Medicine Foundation are tax deductible.
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