Sports Injuries

Sports Injuries services offered in Los Angeles, CA

Each year, thousands of active Americans suffer sports injuries. Though most of these injuries are minor, they can get worse without prompt treatment, affecting your mobility and quality of life. At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist George Hatch, MD, provides complete care for sports injuries. These injuries include cartilage injuries, failed ligament reconstruction of the knee, shoulder instability, joint dislocations, and others. Call Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, today to schedule sports injury treatment, or book your appointment online.

What are sports injuries?

Sports injuries occur during physically strenuous activities, like running, lifting weights, and playing sports. They can affect any part of the musculoskeletal system, including the bones, joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments.

What are some examples of sports injuries?

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Hatch treats various sports injuries, including:

Achilles tendinitis
Ankle sprains
Tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow
Rotator cuff tendinitis
Shoulder instability
Shoulder dislocations
Cartilage injuries
Joint stiffness
Rotator cuff tears and SLAP tears
Patellar instability and dislocations
Fractures (broken bones)
Muscle strains

Dr. Hatch also uses sports medicine to treat failed ligament reconstructions of the knee, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tears, and medial collateral ligament (MCL) tears.

Should I see a doctor if I suffer a sports injury?

Make an appointment at Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, if you suffer a sports injury and your symptoms don’t improve with conservative treatments like ice, rest, and elevation. Contact Dr. Hatch immediately if you experience intense pain and swelling, severe bruising, or numbness and tingling.

How are sports injuries diagnosed?

Dr. Hatch reviews your medical records and asks about your injury, including what happened and which symptoms you’re experiencing. He then completes a physical exam. Dr. Hatch checks the affected area for bruising, swelling, and redness. He gently presses on your skin to identify sensitive spots and checks your muscle strength and range of motion.

Most sports injuries can be diagnosed visually. But if Dr. Hatch suspects an underlying problem like a torn ligament or broken bone, he orders diagnostic imaging, like X-rays or an MRI. These tests let him assess your injury’s severity and determine the best treatment.

How are sports injuries treated?

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, Dr. Hatch takes a minimally invasive, patient-centered approach to treating sports injuries. He could suggest:

Wearing a cast, splint, or walking boot
OrthoBiologic Treatment (for example, platelet-rich plasma therapy)
Prescription anti-inflammatory medication
Physical therapy
Rest, ice, compression, and elevation

If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, you might benefit from surgery. Dr. Hatch regularly uses minimally invasive and traditional open orthopaedic surgery to repair ligaments, tendons, and cartilage tears.

Call Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery, today to schedule sports injury treatment, or book your appointment online.