Sports Medicine & Arthroscopy John (Sean) J. O'Connor, M.D. Douglas J. Moran, M.D. Peter G. Noordsij, M.D. Patrick J. Casey, M.D. Nina C. Joe, PA-C  Sara R. Lupien, PA-C

Sports medicine is concerned with the prevention and treatment of injuries and illnesses sustained during athletic or "active type" activities. The types of injuries that sports medicine physicians encounter can be divided into two groups. Major injuries are those sustained in an instant, such as a fractured leg or dislocated shoulder. They require orthopaedic care, such as setting a fracture or repairing a torn ligament. The second group is generally referred to as "overuse" injuries; conditions caused by repeated and excessive stress. Tendonitis and stress fractures fall into this category. Ideally, the athlete can continue with the athletic activity while under treatment, or at least return to the activity as quickly as possible. To aid in recovery and prevent recurrence of injuries, physical therapy is invaluable in stretching and strengthening muscles and other soft tissue surrounding bones and joints.

Sports medicine physicians are concerned with diagnosis, treatment, and a speedy recovery. To assist in assessing and treating musculoskeletal injuries with as little trauma as possible, modern arthroscopy techniques are part of the sports medicine physician's repertoire. During arthroscopy, the physician looks into the joint with a tiny telescope through an incision no larger than a buttonhole. The telescope smaller than the diameter of a pencil sends back visual images displayed on a television screen through a miniature video camera.

A variety of joints can be operated on using arthroscopy: knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, hip. Little pain results from this kind of surgery, allowing most operations to be performed on an outpatient basis. Cartilage and ligament tears in the knee, bursitis, shoulder dislocations, and rotator cuff injuries are all treatable using this technique. Even complex knee ligament reconstructions are routinely done using arthroscopy.

To learn more, we encourage you to search our patient education section for areas of interest to help you understand your orthopaedic injuries, conditions, and treatment options click here.