Dr. Raj is both a Canadian and American board-certified orthopedic surgeon with over 15 years of experience. Sports injuries are his primary specialty, handling injuries such as joint arthritis and extremity surgery. His offices are based in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills. He has established a unique reputation for himself with his excellent bedside manner and east meets west holistic approach in the treatment of patients.
Dr. Raj identifies a sports injury as any mishap that might occur to an athlete while involving in a sporting activity. Though there are a wide variety of sports injuries that an athlete can get while playing sports, they are generally classified into two broad categories.
Overuse injuries: these are injuries that result from the excessive use of particular body parts when undertaking a repetitive activity. Good examples of overuse injuries are the runner's knee and the tennis elbow. Overuse injuries do not affect the athlete suddenly. They build slowly and then strike when they reach the elastic point.
Acute traumatic injuries: injuries of this nature result from a single action or blow to the body. Athletes engaging in intense contact sports such as MMA, rugby, football, basketball, and soccer are more prone to these injuries. Examples of acute traumatic injuries include strains, fractures among others. These injuries are somehow considered to be more penetrating since the body is caught unaware, and the blow of impact can lead to other body injuries.
How do you handle sports injuries?
Most athletes exercise extreme caution while playing in the fields as they know a severe injury can quickly halt or bring their career to an end.
• Seeking immediate medical attention
It does not matter whether mild or acute, athletes will always rush to get necessary medical attention to ensure they resume their sport as soon as possible. Things are pretty straightforward at the professional level as the team or organizers usually provide first response medical treatment. Seeking immediate medical attention would be the best option as the injury only worsens with time if untreated.
• Comprehensive tests
Consult your doctor to ensure you have undergone all necessary checks to examine the extent of the injury, especially for fractures. Allow the doctor to get x-rays and other diagnostic procedures to help understand the extent of the damage.
• Be fit during the recovery phase
Exercising lightly during the recovery phase is essential for your body as it will keep you in shape throughout the entire recovery process. A doctor's recommendation to take a rest does not stop you from exercising. Exercises to work up a little sweat and get your heart racing a little will make your post-recovery period easier and you will get a smooth recovery. It is, however, advisable to stay away from heavy training to avoid causing any further damage to your body.
• Counseling and mental therapy
Recovering from an injury can be a challenging journey, especially for athletes prone to injuries more often. They usually have a wide range of emotions such as denial and depression. Hence they need to engage with a mental coach to help them maintain a positive mindset.
To get more insights from Dr. Raj. you can reach out to him on Instagram and TikTok. You can also book an appointment with him online through the website of his practice.
Photography by: Bal Raj
