Sports Injuries Specialist

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries occur during physical activity, like working out or playing sports. Anyone can experience a sports injury, but they’re especially common in children, teenagers, and young adults.

Several factors increase your risk of experiencing a sports injury. This includes failing to warm-up properly, playing contact sports, or jumping into a new activity without adequate preparation. If you or a loved one experiences a sports injury, don’t wait to seek professional help.

What are some common sports injuries?

At North Texas Foot & Ankle, Dr. Hausenfluke treats sports injuries that affect the feet and ankles, including:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Swollen muscles
• Achilles tendon ruptures
• Achilles tendinitis
• Fractures 
• Dislocations

He also treats heel pain caused by sports injuries, including plantar fasciitis and heel spurs.

Is there any way to prevent sports injuries?

There’s no way to prevent sports injuries entirely, but there are things you can do to significantly lower your risk. Dr. Hausenfluke recommends warming up and stretching prior to exercise, using the proper equipment, including safety gear, practicing good form and proper posture, and cooling down following a workout.

You can also lower your risk of sports injuries by easing back into activity. If you experience an injury, it’s tempting to nurse it for days or even weeks at a time. However, excessive rest can delay your body’s natural healing process. 

How are sports injuries diagnosed?

To diagnose a sports injury, Dr. Hausenfluke reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms and the events leading up to your injury, and conducts a physical exam. Afterward, he has you rate your pain on a scale of 1-10 and asks you to perform a series of strength and range-of-motion exercises.

If these measures don’t provide enough information about your underlying injury, Dr. Hausenfluke might also order X-rays or diagnostic ultrasound. These imaging tools provide detailed pictures of your bones, joints, and soft tissue structures.

How are sports injuries treated?

Treatment for sports injuries depends on the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your daily routine. Whenever possible, Dr. Hausenfluke recommends conservative treatments like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol) and taking oral or injectable pain medications.

If your symptoms persist or get worse, you might benefit from CO2 laser treatment, custom orthotics, or Superfeet® insoles. In rare instances, surgical intervention may be necessary. Fortunately, Dr. Hausenfluke offers several types of minimally invasive surgery performed on an outpatient basis.

To learn more about treatment for sports injuries, schedule an appointment at North Texas Foot & Ankle by calling the office or booking online today.