December 15, 2016 • Written by Dr. Jason Scopp

When to see a doctor for a sports-related injury

Sports-related injuries happen both on and off the field. In fact, they sometimes happen when you least expect it. Today, we continue to see a wide variety of injuries affecting our patient’s joints and bones. Some are minor and can be managed through non-surgical treatment and therapy, while others may be more serious and require surgery. But there is one thing I share with all athletes, trainers and parents – how to recognize a possible injury.

Here are some warning signs that tell you it's time to see an orthopaedic specialist:

• You are not recovering in your usual period of time from whatever soreness you typically have after the activity.
  
• Your pain does not go away with rest and inactivity.
• You have noticeable instability in your joints.
• You’re having consistent pain during and/or after exercise and sports.
• You notice persistent or new swelling around a joint after activity.
• You are experiencing audible and painful pops.

I also can’t stress enough the importance of allowing your doctor to analyze the way you move to identify the possible biomechanical problem that could be causing your injury.