An
Orange
County, CA sports medicine physician will focus on helping an athlete
improve performance or recover from an injury. From professional athletes to
weekend warriors, participating in sports training and physical activities
bring about aches and pains – major and minor in nature.
Sports Medicine in Orange County
When
the pain increases or an injury has occurred, seeking an Orange County, CA
sports medicine physician is the next step.
Focuses on the Athlete
A
sports medicine physician focuses on the athlete’s unique needs. Beginning with
an accurate diagnosis, the orthopedic
specialist will work the athlete to achieve a fast and optimal recovery.
Administering various components will help the specialist determine the right
course of treatment based on the results.
•Reviewing
the athlete’s complete medical history will help determine how the injury
occurred
•Physical
examination
•Medical
testing including, x-rays, MRIs, and other imaging resources
Athletes
are normally at the highest level of physical fitness. An injury may cause a
disruption or change in the overall fitness level of the person. Depending on
the degree of injury, returning to the sport may not be an option. An accurate
diagnosis and course of the treatment plan are vital to achieving the best
possible outcome.
Course of Action
The
accurate diagnosis will determine the course of action in the treatment
program. Under some circumstances, the injury may be due to improper training
techniques, including over-training or insufficient warm-up practices.
Conservative methods may be used to restore the athlete to a normal active
lifestyle.
•Rest: An injury or weakened muscle may
just need time to heal.
•Ice: Applying ice to the injured area
may help reduce swelling and inflammation.
•Physical Therapy: Specific exercises or
stretching techniques to strengthen the muscles around the injured area may be
implemented.
•Bracing: The use of a brace or support
aid may help in the healing process.
•Drugs: Prescription, over the counter
medications, or injections may be administered to help reduce the pain and
other symptoms.
Surgery
When
an injury is too severe or other approaches do not yield the desired results,
surgery may be the only option available. The surgical technique depends on the
type and extensiveness of the injury. In most cases, the surgical technique is
one of the two following procedures.
Arthroscopy:
A less invasive surgical method performed by inserting instruments through
small incisions around the injured area. The sports medicine Orange County
specialists can use this technique to view, diagnose, and repair the injured
area with a shortened recovery time.
Traditional
Surgery: Severe injuries with multiple medical factors may require traditional
surgery, allowing the physician to gain visual access to the damaged area. The
major drawbacks to this approach are a hospital stay and longer recovery time.
Prevention
A
sports medicine physician will focus on preventing future injuries as part of
the treatment plan. Athletes have an overall desire to return to the sport as
soon as possible. The physician will guide the athlete to ensure the
introduction back to the training routine is done with proper techniques.
Measures are implemented to help eliminate or reduce the risk of repeating or
developing a new injury.
Orange County’s Best Sports Medicine
Provider
In
Orange County, CA, Dr. Howard
Marans strives to achieve an optimal outcome for every athlete’s recovery
from a sports-related injury. Dr. Howard Marans can
also help an athlete improve performance. Please click below to schedule your
consultation or call us at 714.979.8981.