Why do I have a sports injury?
Pushing your body to the max and playing hard for your team can feel exhilarating and increase your overall health. However, the forces exerted on your body during competitive play can seriously injure your muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. Events or activities that can cause sports injuries include:

• Repetitive motions

• Overuse

• Collisions

• Falls

• Stopping suddenly

• Landing “wrong”  

• Failing to warm up or cool down properly

• Running on hard surfaces

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Why do women experience sports injuries more frequently than men?
Women tend to be more prone to sports injuries than men for several reasons:

• Body alignment: Women typically have wider hips and knees that point inward, both of which can increase the risk of injury.

• Muscular differences: On average, women have less muscle strength and use different muscles than men for many physical tasks, creating greater strain on certain areas of the body.

• Range of motion: Women are typically more flexible than men and have a wider range of motion, making hyperextension and other extreme muscle stretches more likely.

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What are the most common sports injuries?
The most common sports injury is a sprained ankle. The ligaments on the outside of your ankle are particularly weak and may stretch or tear (sprain) when your foot twists or turns. Other common sports injuries include:

• Pulled groin

• Strained hamstring

• Shin splints

• ACL tear

• Meniscus tear

• Patellofemoral syndrome (from repetitive knee bending, running)

• Tennis elbow

• Fractures  

• Achilles rupture

• Shoulder dislocation

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What should I do when I experience a sports injury?
Treating your sports injury early increases your chance of a full recovery. If you’re in pain or can’t move a body part, Dr. Copeland can usually see you the same or next day.

If you suspect your injury is minor, you can try the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are helpful for pain relief. If your injury doesn’t improve within a day or two, contact the experts at Fondren Orthopedic Group.

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How do orthopedists treat sports injuries?
Dr. Copeland and her colleagues take time to learn about your injury through active listening and an in-depth physical examination. Usually,  they order in-house X-Rays and, if necessary, MRIs.

Once Dr. Copeland makes a diagnosis, she devises a treatment plan to heal your injury and help you recover function. Therapies she may recommend include:

• Orthopedic braces or casts

• Steroid injections

• Stem cell therapy

• Platelet-rich plasma injections

• Compound cream prescriptions

• Arthroscopic surgery

• Joint replacement

• Physical therapy

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How can I prevent future sports injuries?
As part of your rehabilitation, Dr. Copeland enrolls you in a physical therapy program to help you build strength and flexibility to avoid future injury. Dr. Copeland also provides recommendations on ways to move more efficiently and healthfully.

If you have a fresh sports injury or one that hasn’t healed properly, contact Dr. Copeland at Fondren Orthopedic Group by phone or by using the online request tool.​