Understanding Surgical Sports Medicine

Common Surgical Sports Medicine Conditions

The most common conditions treated by Summa Health’s orthopedic sports medicine surgeons include:

• Meniscus tears
  A meniscus tear is one of the most common knee injuries. It can result from any activity that causes you to forcefully twist or rotate your knee, such as an aggressive pivot or sudden stopping and turning. Kneeling, deep squatting or lifting something heavy – as well as general wear and tear on your knees as you age – can also lead to a torn meniscus. The risk, however, is particularly high for athletes – especially those who participate in contact sports, like football, or activities that involve pivoting, such as basketball or tennis.
• Rotator cuff tears 
  Rotator cuff tears that require surgery typically result from injuries like falling on your arm, as well as overuse. Symptoms include shoulder pain at night while laying on it, shoulder pain down to the elbow with activity, and weakness. While therapy and medications can be an initial option, surgery is often recommended for active patients with acute conditions
• Rotator cuff tendinitis
  Rotator cuff tendinitis also is typically an overuse injury with symptoms similar to a rotator cuff tear. Therapy, medications and injections are usually the first line of treatment, yet if they fail, surgery can be an option.

Minimally Invasive Techniques

Summa Health sports medicine surgeons treat these and other sports medicine conditions with modern, minimally invasive techniques that typically result in less pain, accelerated rehabilitation and a quicker recovery than traditional surgery. Patients ultimately heal and get back to the activities they enjoy faster.

Typical minimally invasive techniques include:

• Arthroscopic hip, shoulder and knee surgery
• Ligament reconstruction
• Tendon repair
• Fracture care
• Labral repair