All OACM and PT OFFICES will be CLOSING EARLY Friday, December, 9th for our Holiday Party.
Both of our OACM After Hours locations will be CLOSED Friday December, 9th for the event.
Thank you!

Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland
(410) 644-1880(855) 4MD-BONE
MENUMENU
  • Menu
        • Physicians
        • Physician Assistants
        • Physical Therapists
        • + OACM After Hours
        • Careers
          • Pay Your Bill
          • Patient Portal
          • Schedule an Appointment
        • Specialties
        • Conditions & Treatments
        • Services
        • For Our Patients
        • OACM News
        • Patient Education
        • Testimonials
        • Locations
        • Contact Us
  • Home
  • Physicians
  • CRNPs/PAs
  • Physical Therapists
  • Specialties
  • Conditions & Treatments
  • Services
  • + OACM After Hours
  • For Our Patients
  • OACM News
  • Patient Education
  • Testimonials
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Careers
  • Pay Your Bill
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Patient Portal

Just another iHealthSpot WP02 site

Tips for How to Treat a Sports Injury Right After It Happens

August 13, 2021

Woman treating her sports injury

Any physical activity carries some risk. Even the most careful, elite athletes will suffer an injury at some point in their career. While precautions can reduce dangers during sports, accidents can still happen. Hence, it is crucial to know how to administer first aid treatment.

Here are some tips on how to treat a sports injury to reduce complications and facilitate recovery.

Identify Injury Severity

Most sports injuries involve physical trauma to the bones, joints, or muscles. The most common are contusions, sprains, and muscle strains. Sprains occur when ligaments get over-stretched, while strains affect tendons and muscles. More severe accidents involve fractures, dislocations, or ligament tears.

It is often difficult to determine the type of injury through visual inspection alone. For instance, what looks like a sprained ankle might actually be a fracture. When in doubt, it is best to treat all musculoskeletal injuries seriously by seeing an orthopedic specialist immediately.

While many trauma cases are mild and only require home care, some injuries demand immediate medical care to avoid serious complications. If you sustain a head or a spine injury, for instance, seek treatment right away.

If the injured person shows altered states of consciousness or has memory problems, visit a doctor at once. These may be signs of a traumatic brain injury or a concussion.

Follow the PRICE Method

After assessing the severity of the sports injury, it’s time to provide first aid treatment. You can observe the PRICE method to treat mild conditions and provide first aid while waiting for medical intervention.

Protection and Rest

Stop playing immediately after sustaining an injury during a game, as any further mechanical stress could cause further damage.

To further protect the injury, try to immobilize the affected area as much as possible. Use splints and braces for this purpose. Using crutches will help if you have a leg injury and need to walk.

For most minor injuries, doctors recommend at least two to three days of rest. Doing so allows the body to focus on healing, speeding up the recovery process.

However, remember to do some light stretching once the swelling goes down. Careful and controlled movements can increase blood flow and prevent your joints from seizing up. Mild exercises will also help you maintain your physical conditioning and improve overall recovery.

Ice Application

Within minutes after sustaining an injury, the body starts an inflammatory reaction at the injury site. Blood flow increases, causing swelling and reddening. This process allows the body to start the healing process. It also brings immune cells to the site as a defense against harmful microbes.

Applying ice to the injured area can reduce inflammation and pain. You may use cold packs and ice wrapped with a cloth. Alternatively, you can opt for immersing the affected body part in a chilled bath.

For the best results, apply ice wrapped in a cloth for 15 to 20 minutes at a time with 1 to 2-hour intervals. Note that direct or prolonged contact with ice can cause frostbite. Be attentive during ice application.

Compression and Elevation

Applying compression bandages also helps with swelling and aids in immobilization. As much as possible, use a wrap specifically for injuries. Don’t wrap it too tight that it creates pressure spots—do it just enough to fit snugly.

You can combine compression with elevation for maximum benefits. Positioning your limbs above your heart improves circulation to the rest of the body. It also prevents liquid from accumulating within the injured tissues, decreasing swelling.

Treatment for Sports Injury in Baltimore, MD

Basic first aid for a sports injury makes a big difference, and the sooner you do it, the better. You can reduce pain and prevent further damage by assessing its severity and following the PRICE method.

After the initial treatment, make sure to consult with an experienced orthopedic physician. They can help you identify the next steps and speed up your recovery. If you need care for a sports injury in Maryland, visit Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland.

With several facilities throughout Maryland, Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland provides quick access to comprehensive healthcare. Our sports medicine specialists and physical therapists provide athletes with accurate diagnoses as well as effective treatments and recovery plans.

Learn more by calling us at (410) 644-1880 or by setting up an appointment through our online appointment scheduling form.

Filed Under: Sports Injuries Tagged With: Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland, orthopedic physician, orthopedic physician Baltimore MD, orthopedic physician near me, sports injury treatment, sports injury treatment Baltimore MD, sports injury treatment near me, sports medicine doctor Baltimore MD, sports medicine doctor near me

Primary Sidebar

Blog Main Page

Recent Posts

  • When Does Knee Pain Warrant a Visit to the Doctor?
  • Common Sports Injuries: Treatment Options
  • Shoulder Surgery Pain Relief: Tips for a Quick Recovery
  • Physical Therapy Exercises for Knee Pain
  • Sports Injuries in Baltimore, MD: Four Tips for a Safe Skiing Adventure

Categories

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

Archives

Tags

arthritis Back Pain best orthopedic doctor near me chronic pain Foot and ankle specialist near me Foot and Ankle Surgery Foot Care foot pain hip hip pain hip replacement Injuries joint pain Joint Replacement Joint Replacement Surgery knee pain Knee pain treatment near me Knee Replacement low back pain treatment near me Neck Pain Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland Orthopaedic Surgeon orthopedic care near me orthopedic clinic near me Orthopedic Doctor near me orthopedic doctors orthopedics orthopedic surgeon orthopedic surgeon near me orthopedic surgeons Baltimore Orthopedist pain Physical Medicine physical therapy Physical therapy near me Plantar Fasciitis treatment near me Podiatrist Sciatica Pain shoulder shoulder joint shoulder pain Sports injuries sports injury Baltimore sports injury treatment near me sports medicine doctor near me

Footer

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Blog
  • instagram
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Non Discrimination Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Privacy Policy
  • Billing Disclosures
Copyright ©
Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland.
All rights reserved.
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Orthopaedic Associates of Central Maryland in Baltimore, Catonsville, Columbia and Eldersburg serves the nearby communities of Annapolis, Washington DC and Montgomery County. Our orthopedic surgeons, podiatrist, physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor, and physical therapists specialize in arthroscopic surgery, minimally invasive procedures, joint replacement, sports medicine, and onsite diagnostic imagery, outpatient surgery, and physical therapy rehabilitation providing pain relief from sciatica, carpal tunnel syndrome, foot pain, knee pain, hip replacement, shoulder impingement, cubital tunnel syndrome and more.

  Request an Appointment

  • Pay Your Bill
  • Patient Portal
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Home
  • Physicians
  • CRNP/PAs
  • Physical Therapists
  • Specialties
  • Conditions & Treatments
  • Services
  • + OACM After Hours
  • For Our Patients
  • OACM News
  • Patient Education
  • Testimonials
  • Locations
  • Contact Us
  • Careers