Being an athlete comes with the expectation that injuries can happen, despite how careful you may be about the way you play. Sports place your body in extreme situations, and when things don’t align correctly, injuries can occur.

In these situations, it’s best to meet with a sports medicine specialist—they’ll get you on the right track for recovery.

Signs of an Orthopedic Injury

Unsure if your injury requires orthopedic expertise? While athletes can experience a range of sports injuries, three of the most common injuries that we see at Orthopedic Associates involve the ACL, clavicle, and meniscus. Here’s how to identify them:

An ACL injury is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is located behind the knee. Its job is to connect your thighbone to your shinbone, but injury can occur in sports that involve jumping, landing, and sudden stops or changes (e.g., basketball, soccer, football, skiing).

Signs of an ACL injury include:

• A loud pop in the knee
• Rapid swelling
• Severe pain and inability to move the leg/knee
• A feeling of instability when trying to put weight on the affected leg

Clavicle fractures are yet another possible sports injury and are most common in contact sports such as football, lacrosse, or hockey. Symptoms can include pain around the collarbone or shoulder, swelling and bruising around the collarbone, difficulty moving the affected shoulder or arm, and a tent-like appearance in the skin around the collarbone.

Finally, there are injuries to the meniscus, which also involves the knee. These injuries often occur from contact sports but may also happen in sports where jumping and landing occur. Sometimes, the meniscus injury may be accompanied by an injury to the ACL and shares similar symptoms, as well: a loud popping sound, difficulty bending and straightening the leg, swelling and pain in the knee, or the knee getting “locked up.”

For all of these injuries, prompt care is crucial to prevent the injury from becoming more severe. If ignored, the injury may progress to a point where you’re out of play for good.

Meeting with a Sports Medicine Specialist

When it comes to getting the care your athletic body needs, you can find no provider more qualified than one who specializes in sports medicine. These physicians are familiar with injuries common to athletes and treat them with the ultimate goal of bringing back as much functionality as possible to get you back to your sport.

At Orthopedic Associates, we are lucky to have three physicians who specialize in sports medicine.

Andrew W. Parker, MD, has been with Orthopedic Associates since 1992. He was the team physician and medical director for the Colorado Avalanche from 1995 through 2017 and also served as a consulting physician for the Denver Nuggets.

Joel Gonzales, MD, has been a head team physician for the Colorado Crush as well as a consulting physician for the Denver Nuggets. He also has a certification of added qualification in sports medicine.

Frank Wydra, MD, has experience with high school athletes thanks to his time working with Denver Public Schools, where he was the team physician at many football, gymnastics, and wrestling events.

Whether you want to browse our blog for more information on orthopedic health and mobility or would like to contact our office to schedule an appointment, Orthopedic Associates has a wealth of knowledge and is ready to help you start the road to recovery.