What is sports surgery?

When a person sustains an injury during exercise, sports participation or any type of physical activity, depending on the severity of the injury, they may be advised by a sports medicine specialist to see an orthopaedic surgeon for sports surgery. Surgery is normally the last resort for amateur sportsmen and is more common amongst professional athletes. Sports surgery is likely if a person has sustained a serious injury or as a result of persistent symptoms that were not successful following the use of other treatments prior to the operation.
 

What are the common sports injuries treated?

Sports surgery can repair damaged soft tissue, realign bones and joints. However, not all injuries require surgery. A sports medicine doctor may treat the following injuries sustained through physical activity:
 

• Sprained ankles 
• Hip bursitis
• Fractures 
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Tendonitis
• Low back pain
• Pulled muscles
• Concussion
• Cartilage injuries

The most common sports injuries are strains and sprains, which is when the ligaments have been stretched past their limits and have resulted in a tear.
 

What are the different types of surgical procedures in sports surgery?

Many sports injuries are treated using keyhole surgery. This involves the surgeon making a small incision and using a tiny camera to guide them during the procedure. This type of surgery is most common with knee injuries and is known as arthroscopy.
 

How can sports injuries be prevented to avoid sports surgery?

Even though it is recommended to exercise regularly as an important part of maintaining overall health, precautions should be taken to minimise the risk of injuries. Sports injuries occur from overtraining, lack of conditioning and poor technique. The following tips can be used as a preventative for sports injuries:
 

• Use the correct equipment
• Always warm-up before
• Wear the right protective gear
• Rest in between workouts to allow the body time to rest and repair
• Start exercising slowly and gradually increase strength, flexibility and endurance
• Listen to the body if it shows any signs of pain or distress
  
   

What happens after a sports surgery procedure?

Recovery from an operation for a sports injury depends on the severity and the individual case. Most injuries require a long rest period following surgery on an affected joint, muscle or soft tissue. Physiotherapy is used to rebuild strength and to increase the range of movement around the joint or muscle. It will also help to condition the injury to make it more resistant to any future complications.