As football season and other fall sports gear up, medical professionals urge all athletes to exercise caution to prevent injuries.
“Sports medicine treats injuries to bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments and other structures that occur at all ages and in a wide variety of joints,” said Toufic Jildeh, MD, orthopedic and sports medicine specialist at MSU Health Care. “These injuries can take previously active people and decrease their performance or make them inactive.”
Common injuries seen include broken bones, dislocated joints, injuries to shoulders or hips, and injuries to ligaments in the knee (such as the ACL and meniscus).
Dr. Jildeh, who is also an assistant professor and team physician for MSU Athletics, performs sports medicine procedures at McLaren Greater Lansing and says those suffering from new or chronic injuries may have different treatment options available. Sports medicine can help a wide variety of individuals, not just athletes, who may develop injuries from their job or activity due to repetitive motions that can over time, cause strain.
“Each individual needs are different and I’m sensitive to the uniqueness of each injury. I approach each patient’s problem with a personalized approach, using the most conservative techniques possible,” said Dr. Jildeh. “My goal is to get each patient back to their activity quickly and safely.”
Recovery from an injury can vary widely and depends on the injury. Nonoperative options may include proper bracing and physical therapy. From some injuries, surgical interventions are the most appropriate choice.
Of course, while injuries are unavoidable, it’s best to try to prevent the ones you can. To this end, Dr. Jildeh recommends to always practice proper warm-up and cool-down routines and follow proper training techniques to help reduce the risk of injury.
“Getting regular rest and addressing minor issues early can also prevent injuries from becoming more severe,” said Dr. Jildeh.
To learn more about the Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Institute at McLaren Greater Lansing, click here.
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