How to prevent and recover from sports injuries
Sports and physical activity offer many health benefits, but they also can increase the risk of injury. Jeff Svec, MD, a UT Health San Antonio primary care physician who specializes in sports medicine and family medicine, offers tips to prevent injuries, manage lingering problems and stay active safely.
Tips to avoid sports injuries
“There are a few ways that athletes — or anyone doing physical activity — can be proactive about preventing certain sports-related injuries. That’s by following good practices before and after they play,” Dr. Svec said. “Get a physical exam, start conditioning before the season and get into a stretching regimen to make sure muscles are not so tight. For student-athletes, it can be good to play different sports throughout the school year so that the whole body remains conditioned. Weightlifting and cardio can also help.”
Spring sports such as track and field, baseball, tennis and golf are associated with several common injuries. Runners may develop shin splints, while baseball players may experience rotator cuff tendinitis or bursitis. Sprained ankles are also common in tennis. Dr. Svec says stretching and exercises that build strength are key to preventing injuries. In some cases, taping or bracing can help prevent a previous injury from recurring.
“It’s also important to listen to your body and recognize signs that may indicate you should see a doctor,” Dr. Svec said. “Head injuries, noticeable weakness or instability in a joint can be warning signs. Swelling and a limited range of motion, meaning you cannot move a body part as much as you normally can, may also indicate that an injury needs to be evaluated. By listening to your body and not pushing beyond your limits, you can help prevent further injury.”
Timely treatment of injuries
Dr. Svec and UT Health San Antonio's sports medicine specialists can provide care needed to treat a sports injury. For children and teens, treatment may include physical therapy, in coordination with school athletic trainers or anti-inflammatory medication. For adults age 18 and older, a home exercise program or steroid injections may be considered, although injections are typically used only after other treatments have not worked. An evaluation also can determine whether a tear or another serious injury is present and whether surgery may be needed.
“For minor injuries such as sore or pulled muscles, I recommend resting and not returning to the activity too quickly,” Dr. Svec said. “Applying ice to the injured area and using over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medication may also help. If the pain or weakness continues, you should see a doctor for an evaluation.”
Dr. Svec also emphasized the importance of treating sports injuries rather than ignoring them. Concussions and other head injuries should be evaluated promptly to rule out a more serious traumatic brain injury that may require urgent treatment. Delaying care for a fracture can make it more difficult to properly realign the bone so it can heal. If a fracture heals incorrectly, the bone may remain abnormally aligned, affecting how the body moves and potentially causing problems later in life.
“In addition to head injuries and fractures, torn ligaments should be evaluated quickly,” Dr. Svec said. “Some torn ligaments require surgical repair or reconstruction, which can involve a long recovery. Seeing a doctor promptly can help determine whether surgery is necessary and allow treatment to begin as soon as possible. Starting recovery right away may help prevent you from missing the next season because you waited too long to seek care.”
For more information about UT Health San Antonio's team of sports medicine specialists dedicated to providing coordinated care, visit UTHealthcare.org/sportsmedicine or call 210-450-9300 to make an appointment.