Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a specialty that covers the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries caused by sports and exercise-related activities. The focus of sports medicine at St. Mary's Regional Medical Center is to help patients make a full recovery so that they are able to resume their daily activities and return to the sport of choice as they are ready and able.

Sports, Exercise, Fall or Overuse Injury Treatment

St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center’s orthopedic, neurological and rehabilitation specialists offer comprehensive care to address conditions or trauma involving the musculoskeletal system resulting from a sports injury, accident, overuse, fall or other condition. The hospital offers physical therapy in the inpatient and outpatient setting; the Rehabilitation Institute focuses on all inpatient rehabilitation and the Center for Rehabilitation is our outpatient service. Our teams use a personalized approach in the management and treatment of a variety of conditions.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) Injuries of the Knee

An ACL injury is a tear or sprain of one of the major knee ligaments. It most commonly occurs during activities that involve sudden stops or changes in direction. Symptoms of an ACL injury include a swollen knee, which causes instability and inability to bear weight. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and ranges from rest and rehabilitation exercises to surgery to replace the torn ligament.

An MCL injury is a tear or sprain to tissue inside the knee, which connects the thighbone to the bone of the lower leg. It most commonly occurs during activities that involve bending, twisting or a sudden change of direction. Symptoms of an MCL injury include swelling, pain and possible bruising. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury, however, most MCL injuries can be treated at home with rest, ice and ant-inflammatory medicine. More serious cases may require surgery.

Achilles Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon is a fibrous cord that connects the muscles in the back of the calf to the heel bone. Injuries to this portion of the lower leg are most commonly caused by recreational sports. Symptoms include sharp pain and the inability to walk properly. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. More serious cases may require surgery.

Rotator Cuff (Shoulder Joint Area) Tears

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that surround the shoulder joint. People who repeat overhead motion most commonly cause injuries to this area. Symptoms can include a dull ache in the shoulder and arm weakness. Treatment depends on the severity of the injury but may include physical therapy. For more serious injuries, surgery may be necessary. 

Osteoarthritis of the Hip and Knee

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, occurring when the cartilage cushioning the bones wears down over time. Symptoms can include pain, stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility and swelling. Though symptoms can be managed, the joint damage cannot be reversed.

Other Injuries We Treat

• Cartilage injuries in the knee
• Other shoulder injuries and conditions
• Torn ligaments
• Foot and ankle injuries

Inpatient Rehabilitation

The inpatient services of the Rehabilitation Institute focused on sports-related injuries include:

• Brain injury rehabilitation
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Orthopedic rehabilitation
• Spinal cord rehabilitation

Outpatient Rehabilitation

Outpatient sports-related rehabilitation services provided through the Center for Rehabilitation include:

• Orthopedic rehabilitation
• Neurological rehabilitation
• Spine rehabilitation
• Balance enhancement/fall prevention
• Body mechanics education.