Athletes rely on their physical abilities to perform at their best. That’s why any damage or strain to their muscles can significantly hinder their performance. Athletes must consult orthopedic doctors as soon as possible to ensure their bodies remain healthy.

Orthopaedic doctors can provide the appropriate treatment to help athletes recover from muscle damage and maintain peak physical fitness. Advanced orthopaedic treatments have been developed to improve athletes’ overall musculoskeletal system, which enables them to recover quickly and return to their sport.

Recent advancements in regenerative medicines for sports treatment have led to less invasive and faster-acting treatments, resulting in faster recovery times and better long-term outcomes for athletes. 

Therefore, seeking help from an orthopaedic doctor is crucial for athletes looking to maintain their physical health and excel in their sport. Let’s discuss some common orthopedic injuries discussed in detail below.

Common Orthopaedic Injuries in Athletes

The most common athletic injuries occur due to 

• Incorrect body postures
• Overtraining
• Sudden body movements. 

The most common injuries include 

• Muscle tears
• Inflammation
• Cracks
• Fractures
• Dislocation
• Sprains. 

Depending on the severity of the injury, an orthopaedic doctor determines the best course of action that is less invasive and facilitates optimum healing. In most cases, advanced treatments for athletic injuries are recommended so athletes can get back faster on their feet.

Good health and a fit body are the prime necessities of an athlete’s life. Ignoring an orthopaedic injury might cause it to aggravate over time and cause permanent damage. In severe cases, they might also need to undergo surgical procedures that come with their risks and complications.

Now, let’s discuss some traditional orthopaedic treatments for athletes discussed in detail below.

Traditional Orthopaedic Treatments for Athletes

Traditionally, orthopaedic treatments included-

• Physical Therapy: In this, the patient was taught several different exercises and was asked to perform them daily.
• Medications: Medicines generally include NSAIDs, analgesics, antibiotics, steroids, etc., depending on the cause of the diagnosis.
• Surgery: Surgical intervention is often necessary to treat severe conditions such as major fractures, herniation, etc.

The traditional treatment modalities varied greatly based on the type of disease and the severity of the existing medical conditions. These modalities provide the best results with immediate effect. However, the side effects of these treatments were extremely high. 

Advanced orthopaedic treatments are becoming popular among athletes and have opened new doors for medical advancements. So, let’s discuss them in detail below.

Advanced Orthopaedic Treatments for Athletes

Our human body tends to repair itself. However, the repair rate is slow and can vary from patient to patient. Thus, medical professionals adopted advanced treatment for athletic injuries to accelerate this repair rate and improve the treatment process.

Particularly, regenerative treatments have a direct approach where the body’s cells are used for treatment modality. Some popularly acceptable regenerative therapies are –

• Stem Cell Therapy

Stem cells are highly pluripotent cells derived from the individual’s cord blood during childbirth. This blood is stored in cord banks and is often used for curing diseases in the future. Pluripotency refers to the tendency of stem cells to easily mature and replicate to form any type of cell in the body. 

In stem cell therapy, stem cells are directly injected at the site of damage, where they mature to heal damaged tissues and promote healing.

• PRP Therapy

PRP refers to platelet-rich plasma. The patient’s blood is extracted and cultured in a laboratory. Here, the platelets are separated from the rest of the blood and directly injected at the site of damage. Platelet cells help promote better healing. The pros of the treatment plan outweighed the cons. They include –

Pros –

• They have a faster recovery rate. 
• The amount of scarring is negligible.
• The rate of risks is greatly reduced.

Cons

• It is comparatively expensive.

Rehabilitation and Recovery Strategies

Along with advanced orthopaedic treatments, patients can also focus on many rehabilitation and recovery strategies to help them heal faster. Here are some strategies that can help you. However, you must ask your doctor before approaching these strategies-

• Yoga

Basic yoga, such as pranayam, can help the body’s overall condition by improving the lungs’ capacity. It helps the body accommodate more oxygen, which further helps in faster healing. After the doctor’s approval, you can also do yoga asanas for the affected body part.

• Apply Ice Packs

Ice packs help reduce inflammation in the affected. Keeping a holistic and positive approach while healing during regenerative orthopaedics and sports medicines is vital to help you lead a happier life.

Besides the surgical and non-surgical options, it’s essential for athletes and medical teams to consider some essential factors.

Things to Consider for Athletes and Their Medical Teams

When considering advanced orthopaedic treatments for athletic injuries, athletes and their medical teams must consider several considerations to ensure the safety and effectiveness of the treatment. These considerations include the athlete’s 

• Age
• The severity of the injury,
• The expected recovery time,
• The potential risks and benefits of the treatment.

For instance, if an athlete has a minor injury, such as a sprained ankle, conservative treatments such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) may be the best course of action. However, if the injury is more severe, such as a torn ligament or cartilage, more advanced treatments, such as surgery or regenerative medicine, may be necessary.

Athletes and their medical teams should also consider their overall health, including any pre-existing conditions or medications that may interact with the treatment. Additionally, they must consider the athlete’s long-term goals, such as returning to competition, and the treatment’s impact on those goals.

One important ethical consideration when using advanced orthopaedic treatments for athletic injuries is ensuring the treatment is safe and effective. Medical teams should carefully evaluate the risks and benefits of the treatment and ensure that the athlete is fully informed of these factors before making a decision.

Another ethical consideration is the potential for these treatments to give some athletes an unfair advantage over others. For instance, suppose a new regenerative medicine treatment allows an athlete to recover more quickly from an injury than traditional treatments. In that case, it may give that athlete an unfair competitive advantage.

Medical teams and sports organisations must carefully consider these ethical concerns and ensure that advanced orthopaedic treatments are used appropriately and with the safety and fairness of all athletes in mind.

Conclusion

While traditional treatments help in faster healing, the risks associated with them are equally high. Thus, regenerative treatment plans are accepted to reduce the associated risk and improve the success rate. 

However, starting the regenerative treatments earlier is important for better results. The athletes must understand that they are responsible for their team and report to the orthopaedic doctor if any signs are seen