Getting injured while engaging in sports is a common affair. Fortunately, sports medicine allows you to recover fast and return to an active lifestyle. Here are some common injuries that a sports injury clinic in Singapore often deals with, as well as the treatment procedures that are utilised.
Common Sports Injuries
Most injuries that sports injury specialists treat are musculoskeletal in nature, affecting the bones, muscles, ligaments, nerves, or tendons. Sports injuries are either acute or chronic in nature, and they differ in their signs and symptoms. Acute injuries exhibit severe pain, and occur suddenly due to trauma caused by falls or crashing into another player during contact sports. In contrast, chronic injuries exhibit dull aching and constant pain, usually as a result of overusing specific body areas while engaging in exercise over a long period. They generally arise due to prolonged and repetitive motion that is common in endurance sports.
Two of the most common injuries treated at sports medicine centres in Singapore are sprains and strains, which both result in pain, swelling, and bruising. Sprains are caused by the overstretching or tearing of ligaments, and are usually acute. They are characterised by limited joint movement and an inability to put weight on the joint. Strains are caused by the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, and can be both acute or chronic. They are generally accompanied by muscle spasms, cramping, as well as muscle weakness.
Other types of sports injuries include dislocations, fractures, and Achilles tendonitis. A dislocation occurs when the bones of a joint are knocked out of place, and occurs due to collisions or falls in contact sports. A fracture is a partial or complete break in the bone as a result of sudden trauma or prolonged stresses. Lastly, Achilles tendonitis is a condition that often affects runners, and is caused by overuse of the Achilles tendon. If left untreated, it can lead to tendinosis which can cause severe impairment in one’s mobility and quality of life.
Treatment Procedures
Sports medicine centres in Singapore are well-versed in treating sports injuries. Thomson Wellth Clinic utilises a range of treatment procedures which deliver effective results, such as physical therapy, Radiofrequency (RF) treatment, Low Level Laser Therapy (LLRT), Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy, as well as joint Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injections and Cortisone injections.
Physical therapy is one of the most commonly utilised treatments, where sports injury specialists stretch joints and muscles and massage soft tissue to facilitate improved mobility and movement, pain management, as well as swift recovery.
Thomson Wellth Clinic also utilises INDIBA® Active Cell Therapy, which is a RF treatment that uses electromagnetic stimulation to promote the regeneration of tissue, improving recovery and rehabilitation times for athletes to get back into form.
Low Level Laser Therapy applies pulses of low-powered light which is targeted and then absorbed by the tissue at the affected area. It has been consistently proven to reduce both pain and inflammation, making it particularly effective as a treatment for Achilles tendonitis as well as other sports injuries.
PRP Therapy injects a solution rich in platelets and growth factors made from the patient’s own blood into the affected area. It is ideal in stimulating the recovery of tendons affected by strains, restoring tissue and avoiding scarring while reducing the risk of further degeneration and re-injury.
Joint HA injections utilise hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occuring substance found in joint fluid. HA is purported to have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties, helping to ease symptoms for athletes with osteoarthritis. Cortisone injections utilise cortisone, which is a steroid released by the adrenal gland in the body. It reduces inflammation and swelling following an injury, and is often used in conjunction with other treatments by sports injury specialists.
Looking for a sports injury clinic in Singapore that provides holistic and effective treatment? Contact us today to find out more about our treatments and related services.