Sports-related injuries treated by a sports medicine physician

Dr. Thieken provides specialized care for sports injuries that happen during exercise or athletic activity.

As a sports medicine provider for high school and collegiate athletes, Dr. Thieken knows how important it is to remain active and competitive in your sport or activity. While most sports-related injuries are knee or shoulder injuries, Dr. Thieken also treats a wide variety of orthopedic injuries. 

Ankle Sprain

Ankle sprains are common injuries that occur to people of all ages and can range from mild to severe. An ankle sprain occurs when the ligaments that support the ankle stretch beyond their limits and tear. An injured ankle can occur due to your foot twisting unexpectedly during a variety of activities including: sports activities, falling down and walking or exercising on uneven surfaces.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis is a condition of the elbow caused by overuse. Interestingly, playing tennis rarely provokes symptoms and most cases are actually work-related.

The condition is an inflammation of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow causing uncomfortable elbow pain. The forearm muscles and tendons become damaged (tendinopathy) from overuse and lead to pain and tenderness on the outside of the elbow.

Overuse Injuries

Unlike acute injuries, which result from a onetime injury, overuse injuries occur over a period of time. They are the result of subtle, smaller injuries (micro-trauma) to the tendons, muscles, bones or joints.

Factors that cause overuse injuries are anything that causes too much stress on the tendons, muscles, bones or joints. Typically this occurs in someone who begins a new workout activity or sport and attempts to do too much too soon. It can also occur when an individual does not allow the body enough time to recover between a certain exercise or activity. This does not allow the body to build back up the tissue that the activity breaks down.