Our Services

Sports Medicine

Eau Claire Area Experts

Rely on the experience of our sports medicine team when you experience any sports-related injury or issue. You can count on prompt, proper diagnosis and customized treatment plan to meet your goals. Our orthopedic surgeons and our athletic trainers serve many area schools.

Immediate Treatment of an Injury

The most common treatment recommended for injury is RICE.

Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury.
Ice: Ice packs can help to diminish swelling and pain. Apply ice over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly over the skin.
Compression: Compression with elastic wraps, air casts, or splints of the injured area helps to reduce swelling.
Elevation: Elevate the injured part above heart level to reduce swelling and pain.

Preventative Measures

Sports injuries are often accidents, but they can also be caused by inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises.

Follow an exercise program to strengthen the muscles.
Gradually increase your exercise level; avoid overdoing it.
Wear properly-fitted protective gear (i.e. elbow guards, eye gear, face masks, mouth guards, pads), comfortable clothes, and athletic shoes.
Don't skip warm-up and cool-down exercises. These exercises stretch the muscles, increase flexibility, and reduce soft tissue injuries.
Avoid exercising immediately after eating a large meal.
Maintain a healthy diet which will nourish the muscles.
Avoid playing when you are injured or tired. Take a break.
Ensure that you are physically fit to play the sport.

Common Sports Injuries

Foot and Ankle Injuries

Foot and ankle injuries include the injuries in the leg below the knee and are common while playing sports. Treatment for some of these conditions may be orthotics, braces, physical therapy, injections or surgery. Common sports injuries include ligament tears, ankle fractures, and Achilles tendinitis.

Shoulder Injuries

Severe pain in shoulders while playing your favorite sports such as tennis, basketball, and gymnastics may be because of torn ligament or shoulder dislocation. These may be caused by overuse of the shoulder while playing sports. Simple pain or acute injuries may be treated with conservative treatment, and chronic injuries may require surgical treatment.

Hip Injuries

Fracture of the femur bone, labral tear, and hip dislocation are some of the common sports injuries affecting the hip. The hip joint bears more weight and is more susceptible for injuries while playing sports. Hip injuries require immediate medical intervention to avoid further complications. Rehabilitation programs and physical therapy is often recommended following the medical intervention where you need to perform certain exercises to strengthen the muscles and improve the movements.

Knee Injuries

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is major stabilizing ligament in the knee which may tear with over use of knee for playing sports. The ACL has poor ability to heal and may cause instability. Other common sports injuries in knee are cartilage damage and meniscal tear. Knee injuries of sports may require surgical intervention that can be performed using open surgical or minimally invasive technique. Your surgeon will recommend you for physical therapy to strengthen your muscles, improve elasticity, and improve the movements of the bones and joints.

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