Sports Medicine in New Jersey
Athletes, whether professional or amateur, push their bodies beyond the limits of the average individual. Unfortunately, the demands of high-intensity physical activity, repetitive motions, and impacts often result in injuries that cause significant pain and restrict mobility. Dr. David Porter, a renowned orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine in New Jersey, is a trusted expert in treating injured athletes, from professionals to weekend warriors, helping them recover and return to peak performance.
Sports Medicine: Table of Contents
Sports Medicine Educational Videos
Sports Medicine Treatments at Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics
COMMON SPORTS INJURIES
ACL/MCL MENISCUS TEAR
Abnormal twisting motions beyond the knee’s natural limits can result in trauma to two crucial parts of the knee joint, namely the MCL and the ACL ligament. Typical symptoms include a loud popping sound that comes from the tearing of ligaments within the joint, extreme sharp pain and associated inflammation, and restricted movement including the ability to bend or stretch the knee.
Knee Injuries
ROTATOR CUFF TEAR
There are two main causes of rotator cuff tears: injury and degeneration. An injury to the rotator cuff, such as a tear, may happen suddenly when falling on an outstretched hand. It may also develop over time due to repetitive activities. The most common symptoms of a rotator cuff tear are recurrent pain, grating or cracking when moving your arm and limited ability to move your arm.
Shoulder Injuries
When a bone is broken in the extremities such as the elbow or shoulder, the condition is serious and requires immediate treatment to heal and prevent permanent damage to the bone or surrounding soft tissue. The symptoms include severe pain, tenderness, swelling, or limited motion.
A state-of-the-art sports medicine treatment plan customized to your needs
During your private consultation with Dr. Porter, he will assess your concerns and perform a detailed physical evaluation to determine the most effective treatment approach. Dr. Porter is a trusted authority when it comes to noninvasive as well as minimally invasive treatment options. These may include:
Joint injections — Joint injections are effective for addressing conditions such as arthritis and chronic pain in the knees, shoulders, and other areas. The goal of this approach is to minimize swelling and inflammation, enhancing the patient’s mobility and range of motion. Corticosteroid injections can help offset osteoarthritis, while hyaluronic acid injections can reduce joint pain in the knees.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound — Using sound waves as a diagnostic tool has allowed sports medicine doctors to improve their accuracy and precision in terms of treatment. Previously, many musculoskeletal structures could only be viewed using an MRI or CT scan. Today, ultrasound technology is helping our physicians practicing sports medicine in NJ to provide relief in the most minimally invasive and innovative ways possible.
Our Approach to Your Recovery
At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, we recognize that every athlete’s recovery journey is unique. Our approach to sports medicine prioritizes personalized care, blending advanced medical treatments with customized rehabilitation strategies. Under the guidance of Dr. Porter and our team of experts, we are committed to helping you restore strength, mobility, and confidence, ensuring a seamless and effective recovery.
We leverage cutting-edge, non-invasive, and minimally invasive techniques to address your specific needs, focusing on getting you back to peak performance quickly and safely. From tailored physical therapy programs and state-of-the-art imaging technologies to innovative treatments like PRP therapy, we provide exceptional care designed to support your athletic aspirations. Your recovery plan will be thoughtfully crafted to promote long-term health, enhance performance, and reduce the risk of future injuries. At Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics, your success is our priority.
Rehab Services for Sports Medicine
Our comprehensive rehab services are an integral part of our sports medicine program in New Jersey. We understand that effective rehabilitation is crucial for a full recovery and a return to peak performance. Our experienced physical therapists work closely with Dr. Porter to develop personalized rehab plans tailored to each athlete’s unique needs and goals. Our rehab services embrace various effective therapies and exercises to restore strength, flexibility, and function. We employ the latest techniques and equipment to ensure that your rehabilitation process is effective and efficient.
Progressive Spine & Orthopaedics’ sports medicine rehabilitation services include the following to help you return to the activities you love with confidence:
- Physical Therapy: Customized exercise programs to improve strength, flexibility, and endurance.
- Manual Therapy: Hands-on techniques for reducing pain and improving mobility.
- Sports-Specific Training: Exercises tailored to your specific sport to enhance performance and prevent future injuries.
- Post-Surgical Rehabilitation: Comprehensive plans to facilitate recovery and optimize outcomes after surgery.
- Injury Prevention Programs: Strategies to reduce the risk of future injuries and maintain overall health.
Is it beneficial to warm up and cool down before and after sports?
It is beneficial to warm up and cool down to help improve performance and prevent injuries. Warming up before you play increases your circulation, which increases the flow of oxygen in your blood and causes more oxygen to reach your muscles. Warming up helps to prepare your heart, lungs, and muscles for strenuous exercise and may help reduce muscle soreness and decrease the risk of injury. Cooling down after your workout helps to regulate the heart rate, blood pressure, and blood flow.
Should I stretch before playing sports?
Intentional stretching before a workout is an important part of preparing to play. Stretching helps to prepare your muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and other tissues loosened up and prepared for strenuous exercise.
What should I do if I feel pain or suspect an injury?
Do not continue to play or exercise. Rest the part of your body that is causing pain or that you think may be injured. Apply an icepack or cold compress over the area. Continue this four to eight times a day for no more than 20 minutes at a time. You can also support the injured part of your body with an elastic compression bandage.
Is there anything I can do to prevent sports injuries?
You can help prevent sports injuries by increasing flexibility with proper stretching before you work out, warming up before you play, and doing a proper cool down afterward, using proper equipment to protect yourself during activity, and staying well hydrated, which helps reduce muscle fatigue that can lead to injury.
Can I walk on a sprained knee?
It’s important not to put weight on the knee for 48 to 72 hours, or possibly longer, as this may cause increased pain and swelling. Resting the ligaments, muscles, and tendons gives the knee time to heal. You can use crutches to help keep the weight off the knee for about a week. Once the swelling begins to subside, you will be better able to walk with a knee brace.
Who can benefit from sports medicine?
Sports medicine is not just for professional athletes. It benefits anyone who engages in physical activity, from weekend warriors and fitness enthusiasts to youth athletes and individuals recovering from injuries. Whether you’re looking to prevent injuries, recover from an existing one, or enhance your performance, sports medicine offers tailored solutions for all activity levels and ages.
What types of treatments are used in sports medicine?
Sports medicine incorporates a wide range of treatments tailored to the individual’s needs. These include physical therapy, regenerative medicine like Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, minimally invasive procedures, manual therapy, and strength training programs. Cutting-edge techniques such as 3D motion analysis and wearable technology may also be used to enhance performance and aid recovery.
How Does Your Advanced Treatment Work?
Dr. Porter will thoroughly evaluate your condition to determine the most effective treatment. Serving patients in Englewood, Edison, Clifton, Glen Rock, Marlboro, Brick Township, Cherry Hill, and Somers Point, he takes a conservative approach, often recommending modified activity, physical therapy, or bracing before considering surgery. However, when surgery is necessary, you want a surgeon who employs next-generation techniques. Dr. Porter is among the most talented orthopedic surgeons practicing in the USA, and he offers his professional help and knowledge of sports medicine in New Jersey to professional athletes and amateur players who are suffering injuries.
