Sports Medicine Expert Advice: Mitigating Potential Problems

Whether you're a professional athlete, weekend warrior, or just trying to stay active, injuries can be an unfortunate part of the game. That’s where sports medicine comes in. This specialized field bridges the gap between medicine and athletic performance, focusing not just on treating injuries but preventing them—and helping individuals perform at their best. 

From sprained ankles and torn ligaments to concussion management and rehabilitation strategies, sports medicine plays a vital role in keeping bodies in motion and getting people back in the game safely and efficiently. Here, Dr. Jason Shin from Riverside Orthopedic Specialists, offers helpful information surrounding this focused specialty and its benefits.

Strategies to Prevent Sports Injuries

As any sports season commences, it's important for athletes to take a balanced approach to their play. Gradually increase activity levels to build endurance, strength, and flexibility—rather than jumping into intense training. Incorporate sport-specific drills and prioritize rest and recovery to help prevent injuries and support overall performance.

“Adequate sleep, hydration, and nutrition are key components in keeping your body in optimal tip-top condition. I also recommend incorporating a dynamic warm-up routine before practice or games to prepare your muscles and joints for the demands of the sport. Lastly, listen to your body. If something doesn't feel right, don't push through the pain,” cautions Dr. Shin.” Early attention to potential issues can prevent more serious injuries down the line.”

What Types of Injuries Are Common?

During various sports seasons, overuse injuries and sprains become common as athletes increase their activity levels. Frequently treated injuries include ankle sprains—especially in soccer, track, and baseball—due to quick direction changes and jumping. Knee injuries, such as ACL strains or tears, often result from sudden pivots in sports like football. 

Muscle strains, particularly in the hamstrings and quadriceps, are also common among athletes who skip proper stretching or strength training. Tendonitis from overuse is another frequent issue, affecting the shoulder, knee, or elbow in athletes who play throwing or racket sports like baseball, tennis, or pickleball.

An All-Encompassing Approach to Injury Prevention

Dr. Shin also advises incorporating exercises that target all muscle groups to improve balance and prevent overuse injuries. Focus on strength training to support key joints like the knees, ankles, and shoulders, while also including flexibility and mobility work to keep muscles and joints healthy. Slowly increase training intensity and duration to allow your body to adapt safely.

“One good rule of thumb is to follow the ten percent rule. Increase your training load, which means distance, reps, etc., by really no more than ten percent per week. Take recovery seriously,” he urges.

Returning to Play: Slow and Steady Wins the Race

For athletes returning from an offseason injury or surgery, it's crucial to ease back into activity gradually and safely. The focus should be on rebuilding strength and mental confidence in the injured area before resuming intense competition. 

Start with a structured rehab program guided by an athletic trainer, emphasizing range of motion, strength, and stability. Once basic function is restored, introduce low-intensity sport-specific drills to help the body readapt without overloading the injury. Throughout recovery, pay close attention to proper form and technique.

“Sometimes, compensating can lead to recurring injury and new problems. Also, one needs to be patient and listen to the body. It's tempting to just push hard to get back to full speed, but doing so too quickly can really set an individual backwards,” warns Dr. Shin. “If you're experiencing pain or discomfort, it's important to scale back and give yourself more time to just heal. Focus on injury prevention by continuing to work on overall strength, flexibility, and conditioning. Even after recovery, maintaining a really solid foundation of fitness can prevent further and future injuries.”

Multidisciplinary Approach Generates the Best Outcomes

At Riverside, a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach is central to patient care. The sports medicine and orthopedic teams work closely to diagnose and treat musculoskeletal injuries through both surgical and non-surgical methods. 

Athletic trainers at schools and events play a key role in managing acute injuries, triaging effectively, and guiding student athletes through recovery. Physical and occupational therapists are also vital, helping patients regain strength and mobility while maintaining close communication with the care team to adjust treatment as needed. For complex cases, specialists like podiatrists and neurosurgeons are readily accessible, ensuring seamless, comprehensive care.

“The real advantage of this collaboration is that it creates a really more holistic approach to care, whether it's coordinating on a treatment plan for someone recovering from surgery or getting an athlete back on the field safely. The combined knowledge of the different fields and specialists really help us address all aspects of patient's recovery,” assures Dr. Shin. “And, it's incredibly effective and ensures our patients are supported throughout their journey from diagnosis to recovery.”

Final Thoughts: New Advancements in Sports Medicine Therapies

There are several exciting advancements in sports medicine, particularly in regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentration (BMAC). These therapies use the body’s own healing properties to aid recovery from tendon, ligament, and cartilage injuries, potentially helping patients avoid surgery. While not widely covered by insurance yet, growing research and proven effectiveness may lead to broader coverage in the future as the field continues to evolve.

“I believe these therapies will give us new tools to manage, non-operatively, overuse injuries as well as to improve healing times after surgery,” shares Dr. Shin.