Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine in Colorado Springs, CO

Sports injuries and exercise-related joint problems can affect competitive athletes, recreational participants and anyone seeking to remain active. Eric K. Jepson, DO, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon whose clinical interests include sports medicine, general orthopaedics, trauma and fracture care, and complex hip and knee conditions. Dr. Jepson provides individualized evaluations for patients in Colorado Springs and surrounding Southern Colorado communities, helping identify the source of pain and develop a treatment plan focused on healing, restoring function and supporting a safe return to activity.

What is Sports Medicine?

Sports Medicine, also known as sports and exercise medicine (SEM), is a branch of medicine that deals with the treatment and prevention of sports and exercise-related injuries and improving fitness and performance. The main objective of sports medicine is to help individuals engage in sports and exercise in a safe and effective manner to accomplish their training goals.

A sports medicine team may comprise medical and non-medical specialists, such as physicians, surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, sports psychologists, nutritionists, coaches, and personal trainers. Most sports medicine physicians deal with non-operative musculoskeletal conditions. Others are orthopaedic surgeons who have decided to focus their practice on the surgical treatment of sports injuries.

Sports medicine is not a medical specialty in itself. Most sports medicine doctors are certified in internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, orthopaedics, or another specialty and then acquire additional training with a 2-year fellowship in sports medicine to be certified as a sports medicine specialist.

Who are Sports Medicine Specialists?

Sports medicine specialists are medical doctors who specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of sports- or exercise-related injuries and illness. A sports medicine specialist focuses on the medical, therapeutic, and functional aspects of exercise and works directly with athletes to improve their overall sports performance. Although sports medicine specialists work exclusively with athletes, the majority will treat anyone who needs treatment for a sports or exercise-related injury.

Sports medicine specialists treat a wide range of physical conditions, including acute traumas such as fractures, sprains, strains, and dislocations. They also treat chronic overuse injuries including tendonitis, degenerative diseases, and overtraining syndrome.

What are Sports Injuries?

Sports injuries are injuries sustained while playing indoor or outdoor sports such as football, basketball, hockey, baseball, and tennis, or while exercising. Sports injuries can result from sports accidents, inadequate training, improper use of protective devices, or insufficient stretching or warm-up exercises. Common sports injuries include bone, muscle, ligament and tendon injuries that commonly involve joints such as the shoulders, knees, hips, ankles and feet.

Some of the common types of sports injuries treated by sports medicine specialists include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Rotator cuff tears
• Fractures
• Knee cartilage injuries
• Meniscal tears
• Patellar tendonitis
• Shoulder dislocation
• Shoulder separation
• Sprains and strains
• Tendonitis
• Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
• Nerve compression injuries
• Concussions

Treatment for Sports Injuries

Treatment includes management of bruises, strains and sprains, fractures, dislocations, chronic injuries, torn shoulder ligaments, ACL ligament repair in the knee as well as cartilage and meniscal repairs. Surgery is mostly accomplished by minimally invasive methods and healing is expedited by physical therapy and a rehabilitation program to ensure a quick return to your sporting activities.

The most common non-surgical or conservative treatment recommended for sports injuries include:

• Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) Therapy:
• Rest: Avoid activities that may cause injury.
• Ice: Ice packs can be applied to the injured area, which will help to diminish swelling and pain. Ice should be applied over a towel to the affected area for 15-20 minutes, four times a day for several days. Never place ice directly on the skin.
• Compression: Compression of the injured area helps to reduce swelling. Elastic wraps, air casts and splints can accomplish this.
• Elevation: Elevate the injured part above the heart level to reduce swelling and pain.
• Activity Modification: Avoiding activities that trigger symptoms and changing your lifestyle.
• Physical Therapy: Regular exercise regimen to improve range of motion and strengthen muscles.
• Anti-inflammatory Medication: Medications like naproxen and ibuprofen are used to relieve inflammation and pain.
• Cortisone Injection: If physical therapy, medications, rest, and activity modification do not yield the desired results, then a cortisone injection may be helpful. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medicine used for conditions such as bursitis and may provide pain relief for certain tears and structural damage.

Surgical treatment is employed when an individual has sustained serious sports injury by means of a severe fracture, bone displacement, and soft tissue tears not amenable to conservative treatment.

Some of the common surgeries performed on athletes include:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction
• Rotator cuff repair
• Arthroscopy of knees, shoulders, and ankles
• Shoulder instability surgery
• Tendon repair
• Cartilage restoration
• Fracture repair
• Labral repair
• Biceps tenodesis surgery

Prevention of Sports Injuries

Some of the measures employed and advised by sports medicine specialists to prevent sports-related injuries include:

• Follow an exercise program to strengthen your muscles.
• Gradually increase your exercise level and avoid overdoing the exercise.
• Ensure that you wear properly-fitted protective gear such as elbow guards, eye gear, face masks, mouth guards and pads, comfortable clothes, and athletic shoes before playing any sports activity, which will help reduce the chances of injury.
• Make sure that you follow warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after a sports activity. Exercises will help to stretch the muscles, increase flexibility and reduce soft tissue injuries.
• Avoid exercising immediately after eating a large meal.
• Maintain a healthy diet, which will help to nourish the muscles.
• Avoid playing when you are injured or tired. Take rest breaks after playing.
• Learn all the rules of the game you are participating in.
• Ensure that you are physically fit to play the sport.

Why Choose Dr. Jepson for Sports Medicine in Colorado Springs, CO?

• Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon: Dr. Jepson is certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.
• Broad orthopaedic experience: His clinical interests include sports medicine, general orthopaedics, trauma and fracture care, and joint replacement.
• Specialized hip and knee expertise: Dr. Jepson evaluates acute injuries, overuse conditions and degenerative problems affecting these major joints.
• Accurate injury assessment: He uses the patient’s history, physical examination and appropriate imaging to identify the affected structures.
• Conservative treatment options: Care may include activity modification, medication, bracing, injections and physical therapy when appropriate.
• Individualized return-to-activity planning: Recommendations reflect the injury, sport, fitness level and personal performance goals.
• Continuity of care: If surgery becomes necessary, Dr. Jepson can explain appropriate options or coordinate care with another specialist when required.

Sports Medicine FAQs

Schedule a Sports Medicine Evaluation in Colorado Springs

If an injury or activity-related joint problem is keeping you from exercising, working or participating in the activities you enjoy, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Eric K. Jepson at Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group. He can diagnose your condition and develop an individualized plan for treatment, rehabilitation and a safe return to activity. Contact CSOG to request an appointment at its North or South Campus for sports medicine and orthopaedic care in Colorado Springs, CO, and surrounding Southern Colorado communities.