Sports Traumatology: Information & Sports Traumatologists

Even low-impact sports can lead to permanent damage, particularly to joints, ligaments, and bones.

The most common types of sports injuries are, in fact, injuries to the joints. Excessive joint wear and tear (osteoarthritis) is also often caused by high levels of stress and improper strain on the joints. 

The lower extremities are affected by injuries most frequently, accounting for 70% of cases. However, the shoulder and arm area also causes pain in as many as one in five people. Fortunately, injuries to the spine or head are much less common.

These are the most common injuries in sports traumatology:

In the knee area:

• Torn ligaments, with a torn cruciate ligament being the most common,
• meniscus tears,
• tendon injuries in the knee joint area,
• dislocation of the kneecap (patellar luxation),
• Osteoarthritis of the knee joints

In the shoulder:

• Shoulder dislocation,
• Shoulder instability,
• Rotator cuff tear

In the ankle:

• Torn ligaments,
• Partial or complete tear of the Achilles tendon

Sports traumatologists diagnose and treat sports injuries © Elnur | AdobeStock

Every course of treatment always begins with a thorough diagnosis.

After a detailed doctor-patient consultation (medical history), the specialist conducts a thorough physical examination. Imaging techniques may also be used, such as

• ultrasound,
• X-rays, or even
• MRI.

These procedures visualize various tissues as well as the bones. They help the doctor assess potential injuries.

As a general rule in sports traumatology, treatment should be as gentle as possible and avoid causing further trauma. Conservative measures include, for example,

• taping,
• joint rest,
• wearing special insoles and orthoses, as well as
• pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory medications.

If these measures are insufficient, surgical intervention on the joint or tendons should be considered. Such procedures on the joint are typically performed today as minimally invasive surgeries.

The sports traumatology specialist uses an endoscope to access the joint that needs to be “repaired” through a small incision. Using a camera and specialized instruments, the sports physician can repair joint damage without making large incisions.

In cases of chronic injuries, overuse, or pain, shock wave therapy is also used in many specialized centers for sports traumatology. The ultrasound waves used in this method improve blood flow and stimulate cell division, which accelerates healing.

In this way, many sports injuries, such as

• shoulder pain,
• the common tennis elbow, and
• muscle tension

can be treated on an outpatient basis by a specialist in sports traumatology.

Thanks to minimally invasive surgical techniques for joint damage, gentle surgical treatment of sports injuries is possible. Complication rates are significantly lower than with conventional surgery, and patients have a higher chance of recovery.

However, sports traumatology treats only the acute injury. Rehabilitation follows afterward. This is the only way to ensure that joint mobility recovers as quickly and effectively as possible. A combination of gentle exercise and physical therapy to strengthen the muscles and tendons in the injured area has proven effective.

Depending on the cause of the injury and the time elapsed before adequate treatment, full rehabilitation typically takes several weeks to months. Afterward, however, there is generally nothing standing in the way of resuming athletic activities.