At Gulf Orthopaedics, Dr. Lane provides exceptional patient care to treat sports injuries in Mobile, AL. Sports injuries are treated using innovative procedures personalized for each patient.
Sports medicine encompasses injuries to every part of the body. So, how is sports medicine different than general orthopaedics?
Classic sports injuries involve ligament, tendon, and cartilage injuries of the joint. Sports medicine specialists are experts at using the most cutting edge and minimally invasive techniques to treat these injuries. Reconstructing ligaments, repairing tendons, and cartilage restoration in a fashion that gets an athlete back to full athletic participation and performance is a fine art that requires a fellowship-trained surgeon with extensive experience. Sports surgeons employ these same surgical techniques and level of expertise to treat older individuals, manual laborers and other non-athletes in the most minimally invasive and effective manner.
Dr Shell is patient and made me feel very comfortable whenever I’m in his office. He has never rushed to leave the room when I was there and he took the time and listened to everything I wanted to say about what was going on with my foot. He’s a good doctor/surgeon. I love having him as my doctor.
Should I Come in for a Treatment?
If you’re an athlete with a sports injury that isn’t healing normally or cannot be fully repaired through general orthopedic procedures, it’s time to schedule an appointment for a sports medicine evaluation. This type of evaluation is ideal for injured athletes committed to healing, recovery and getting back to performing at their best.
Your Consultation
During your evaluation, Dr. Lane will conduct a thorough examination to assess the extent of your injury and diagnostic testing will be performed as needed. He will then ask about the incident that led to the injury and discuss your medical history, including past injuries and surgeries relevant to the current injury.
Based on the findings of your physical examination, a suitable treatment plan will be recommended. Dr. Lane will then explain the plan in detail, in addition to any necessary preparation, indicated surgical procedure, anticipated rehabilitation, and recovery time. You may address any questions or concerns during the evaluation as well.
Common Sports Medicine Surgeries
A few of the more common surgeries performed by a sports specialist include:
- Meniscus Repair – The meniscus is a fibrocartilage pad or gasket in the knee that helps distribute the load. The meniscus can tear when extreme loads are applied to the knee in sports or other activities. Sports surgeons are adept at repairing the meniscus whenever possible rather than just remove it. This potentially decreases risk of arthritis and pain long-term.
- ACL Reconstruction – The anterior cruciate ligament is in the center of the knee and prevents it from slipping out of place with deceleration (rapid stops) and cutting and pivoting activities. When the ACL tears, a sports medicine specialist can repair the ligament in some cases. If the ACL is not repairable, the sports surgeon will reconstruct the ligament so that it exactly replicates the individual’s anatomy and joint mechanics.
- Cartilage Transplantation – Cartilage is the special tissue that lines all joint surfaces, is nearly frictionless, and provides cushion. Trauma from sports or other activities can cause a piece of cartilage to break off. Left untreated, rapid destruction of the joint can occur. Because cartilage has minimal self-healing potential, treatment requires meticulous repair, cartilage transfer (OATs procedure), or cartilage transplant. A sports medicine specialist can take a small sample of your cartilage, grow it in a laboratory, and then reimplant it into the cartilage defect.
- Rotator Cuff Repair – The rotator cuff is a complex sleeve of tendons that through coordinated muscle contractions allows the humeral head (ball of the shoulder) to stay centered in the glenoid (socket) throughout range of motion. A sports medicine specialist can repair most rotator cuff tears arthroscopically (shoulder scope).
Recovery After Surgery
Depending on the treatment plan, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for a few days after the surgery.
The treated body part will have some sort of protection and might be immobilized for some time. The patient will be monitored throughout the recovery process. The recovery period may last from a few weeks to several months.
An athlete will begin the rehabilitation process almost immediately after surgery, and once they are able to achieve the same performance goals they did prior to their injury, the process will be complete.
How Much Does Treatment for Sports Injuries Cost?
The cost of sports medicine will depend on your treatment plan. The recovery and rehabilitation process may also affect the overall price. You must contact your insurance provider to determine if they cover the cost of the treatment.
Schedule Your Consultation
To address sports injuries in Mobile, AL, athletes choose Dr. Lane at Gulf Orthopaedics. Get high-quality medical care for sports injuries before symptoms worsen—contact us and schedule your consultation today.