From an interview with
Dr. Art Jordan
McLeod Orthopaedics Florence

Sports medicine physicians see a wide range of injuries – from a simple ankle sprain or a small ache, all the way to more acute injuries, such as ACL or rotator cuff tears.

Here are some major points from Dr. Art Jordan about minor orthopedic injuries:
If you have an injury, such as spraining your ankle or hurting your knee, the first thing we tell you is, “Stop your activity.” Take a break. Then, see if it feels better.

Another approach is RICE therapy — an acronym for Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. All those can reduce the swelling around an acute injury and help you get back to your activity.

If you feel like you’re still having pain, we’d recommend you see a physician or another provider to talk about whether you have a more serious injury.

High school athletes might have an ankle sprain or a knee injury that responds well to therapy. A sports medicine professional can help with the diagnosis and guide them through the treatment to get them back to their sport.

We care for a lot of athletes with concussions. We make sure that they receive appropriate treatment and ensure that they’re ready to get back to play and are fully ready to be active.
 
Your part of the job is making sure you’re receiving the best treatment possible, understanding the treatment options and working with your specialist to control your pain.

ACTION YOU CAN TAKE
If R.I.C.E or home treatment doesn’t eliminate the pain, see a Sports Medicine Specialist.

Find a Sports Medicine Specialist near you.