Sports Traumatology

What Is Sports Traumatology?

Sports traumatology is a branch of sports orthopedics specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and degenerative diseases resulting from sports activities. It includes diagnostics of diseases of the musculoskeletal system as well as conservative and surgical treatment. It is aimed at professional and hobby athletes. Sports traumatology aims to enable the patient to practice sports again.

When to See a Sports Traumatologist

Sporting activity is a big part of our lives. Sport is part of a healthy lifestyle and strengthens the body and mind. Unfortunately, sports are often accompanied by accidents or physical complaints that occur directly due to or as a consequence of sporting activities.

In many sports (e.g., skiing), enormous energies are built up, leading to loss of control and trauma if you lose focus for just a moment. But even low-energy sports can, over time, lead to permanent damage to joints, ligaments, and bones.

Different sports are associated with varying frequencies of injuries. The injury pattern can also vary significantly between sports. Most sports can lead to acute and chronic (permanent) complaints. Athletes with injuries in the joints often look for treatment in sports traumatology.

The most common reasons for consulting a specialist in sports traumatology are sports injuries in the leg area (70%). But the shoulder and arm area also often cause complaints (20%). Fortunately, accidents involving the spine and head are rare.

Common sports injuries in sports traumatology:

Knee

• Knee Injuries
• Cruciate ligament rupture
• Meniscus rupture
• Tendon injuries of the knee joint
• Patella luxation
• Knee Arthrosis

Shoulder

• Shoulder Injuries
• Shoulder Dislocation
• Shoulder instability
• Rotator cuff rupture

Ankle joint

• Torn ligament
• Achilles tendon rupture

How Does the Treatment in Sports Traumatology Work?

Every sports injury, whether acute or chronic, should be examined in detail before starting therapy. Diagnostic measures include a detailed consultation, a thorough physical examination, and various imaging procedures. Ultrasound, arthroscopy, X-ray, and MRI can be helpful to get an exact picture of the condition of the bones and joints.

In principle, all injuries are treated as non-traumatically as possible. If conservative measures such as tape bandages, protection, inserts, pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc., are not sufficient, surgical treatment may also be necessary. The method of minimally invasive joint surgery is particularly helpful here. Using a camera and special instruments, the sports physician can operate on joint damage without large incisions.

For chronic injuries, overload injuries, or pain, the method of shock wave therapy can also be used. The ultrasound waves are used to stimulate blood circulation and bone-forming cells. Many sports traumas such as shoulder pain, tennis elbow, muscle tension, and poorly healing fractures can be treated in outpatient settings by the sports traumatologist.

Prognosis After Sports Injuries

The minimally invasive surgery of joint damage nowadays offers a gentle method of surgical treatment. It enables lower risks of injury and better chances of recovery.

Nevertheless, sports rehabilitation is an essential part of the treatment. Only in this way can the best possible and fastest regeneration be guaranteed. Aftercare includes specific examinations, physiotherapy, an adjustment of sports behavior for a certain period, and, if necessary, an inpatient stay in a clinic for sports rehabilitation.

Depending on the trauma and its consequences, it can take several months until complete recovery (full physical fitness) is achieved, as bones and ligaments need time to be fully resilient again.

Where Can I Find an Experienced Specialist in Sports Traumatology?

You will exclusively find experienced specialists and clinics for sports traumatology in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland on the PRIMO MEDICO website. Currently, you can find approved experts in the following cities:

- Knee Surgery Zurich

Sources:

• Winker, Karl-Heinrich (2011): Facharzt Orthopädie Unfallchirurgie. Munich: Urban & Fischer.
• Grifka, Joachim (2011): Orthopädie und Unfallchirurgie. Für Praxis, Klinik und Facharztprüfung ; mit 155 Tabellen. Berlin [u.a.]: Springer.