Sports medicine focuses on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions involving the bones, muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints. You don’t have to be a marathon runner to suffer from such injuries. Stress from repetitive use or even an injury caused by a fall can be treated by a sports medicine professional.

There are two basic categories of injuries treated in sports medicine care. The first involves acute injury and the second involves damage caused by wear and tear and disorders such as arthritis that tend to develop gradually.

Sports medicine professionals can help patients with these symptoms:

• Joint and muscle pain
• Bone fractures
• Foot pain
• Ankle injury
• Overuse injury
• Joint dislocation
• Muscle fatigue
• Sudden, non-emergency injuries

Getting Back Into the Game

The Orthopedic Performance Institute’s Dr. Alexandra Matthews specializes in non-surgical treatment of these injuries, which helps to get patients “back into play” quickly and with less trauma. This is accomplished by utilizing techniques such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections, in which the patient’s own blood is utilized to speed up the healing process. There are also nerve block injections that can block the pain for up to 90 days.

Diagnostic ultrasound is another way the doctor can identify the injury and begin treatment quickly. The Orthopedic Performance Institute utilizes the most modern techniques.

If it is determined that a patient’s condition requires surgery, Dr. Matthews can refer them to an orthopedic surgeon whose knowledge and experience is appropriate to treat the condition.

Avoiding Injury

She also counsels patients on injury avoidance. This is accomplished by instructing them how to train correctly and wear the appropriate gear and footwear. Good nutrition plays an important part, too, as it’s vital to keep bones and muscles strong. Patients aged six years and up are welcome.

Don’t keep living with unnecessary pain. Contact the Orthopedic Performance Institute in San Antonio or Boerne at (210) 545-7171 for an appointment today.

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Dr. Alexandra Matthews

Anyone involved in any type of sport has a good chance of sustaining an injury at some point, whether it’s minor or major. If you are injured and require medical assistance, you’ll be best served by a physician who specializes in the field.

Sports medicine specialists, such as the Orthopedic Performance Institute’s Dr. Alexandra Matthews, have received specialized training to treat sports-related injuries and conditions.

What is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Both are well trained in musculoskeletal medicine. Sports Medicine Physicians specialize in the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Orthopedic surgeons are also trained in the operative treatment of these conditions. However, approximately 90% of all sports injuries are non-surgical. The Sports Medicine Physician can maximize non-operative treatment, guide appropriate referrals to physical and occupational therapies, and if necessary, expedite referral to an orthopedic/sports surgeon.

Common examples of musculoskeletal problems include:

• Acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee & shoulder injuries, and bone fractures)
• Overuse injuries (such as rotator cuff and other forms of tendonitis, stress fractures)
• Osteoarthritis medical and injection therapies

Do Sports Medicine Physicians only treat competitive athletes?

No, Sports Medicine Physicians are ideally suited to provide comprehensive medical care for the non-athlete as well, and are excellent resources for active individuals who sustain an injury during everyday activity, such as work, household chores, or recreational activity.

Sports Medicine Physicians have received additional training in the non-musculoskeletal aspects of sports medicine. Common examples of these include:

• Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) and other head injuries
• Athletes with chronic or acute illness (such as infectious mononucleosis, asthma or diabetes)
• Nutrition, supplements, ergogenic aids, and performance issues
• Exercise prescription for patients who want to increase their fitness
• Injury prevention
• “Return to play” decisions in the sick or injured athlete
• Recommendations on safe strength training and conditioning exercises
• Healthy lifestyle promotion

First and foremost, the goal is to help you to recover from your injury and get back in the game. But there are other benefits to be derived.

Rehabilitation

Along with treating the injury, rehab is called for to help you heal correctly. This should be done as soon as possible to avoid joint stiffening and muscle weakness.

This includes stretching, exercise and physical therapy as well as balance and fall therapy. Your sports medicine specialist can also give you advice on how to warm up, stretch and cool down to reduce the chance of further injury.

The doctor will also give you a schedule on when you can return to your normal activities in order to avoid further injury.

Preventive Care

Beyond helping you to recover, a sports medicine specialist can also design a specialized program for preventive care. It’s a good idea when you’re planning on participating in a new type of sport or exercise. This can include:

• Performing a physical examination to ensure that you’re fit for the activity
• Creating a custom conditioning program
• Providing lifestyle and nutrition advice to help you maximize performance
• Creating custom warm-up, stretching and cool-down routines
• Helping you to build strength and stay flexible

Alternative Pain Treatments

Some people are hesitant to see a doctor for acute or chronic pain because they don’t want to face surgery or be prescribed opioids. Dr. Matthews specializes in alternative methods, such as stem cell injections, that can often replace drugs or the need for surgery.

To repeat, you don’t have to be a world-class athlete to take advantage of sports medicine. If you incur a bone, muscle, or join injury, a sports medicine specialist can help. Schedule your appointment with the Orthopedic Performance Institute today.

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• Baseline testing measures your brain function in a healthy state. This computerized test measures memory, attention span, and visual and verbal problem solving. Neurocognitive testing, like the ImPACT baseline test used by the Orthopedic Performance Institutem is the cornerstone of modern concussion management used by high schools, professional teams, universities, and clinical centers.
• While concussions aren’t preventable, baseline testing is a great way to be prepared if a concussion ever happens. If you have an injury, the Orthopedic Performance Institute, or other healthcare provider, can compare a post-injury test to the patient’s baseline test and determine the extent of concussion for treatment and evaluate a safe return to activity. Objective data will help evaluate reaction time, memory capacity, speed of mental processing, and executive functioning of the brain.
• As preventative medicine, an annual concussion baseline test is recommended to ensure an up-to-date record of a patient’s normal functioning.
• Baseline evaluations take about an hour in office and include the following:

1. Physical exam and review of personal history.
2. Vestibular/Ocular-Motor (VOMS) screening to indicate balance dysfunction.
3. ImPACT neurocognitive computerized test. This test is timed and takes about 20 minutes to complete.

• $50 is charged for each concussion baseline screening. They are not covered by insurance.

Post-Injury Concussion Treatment

Our concussion treatment plan is part of a multidisciplinary approach for balanced care and treatment, and includes:

• Physical exam and review of personal history.
• Vestibular/Ocular-Motor (VOMS) screening to indicate balance dysfunction and, if necessary, needed referral to specialist for more detailed assessment and management.
• ImPACT baseline computerized neurocognitive test to measure visual and verbal memory, reaction time, and processing speed. It takes 20 minutes and gives providers objective data to evaluate a patient’s post-injury condition and aids in tracking recovery.
• If the patient has already taken a baseline test elsewhere, then the post-injury test results will be compared to the baseline scores and or/normative data.

Fees for concussion treatment are usually covered by insurance without additional cost to the patient. Claims will be submitted to insurance by the Orthopedic Performance Institute.

When treatment for a concussion becomes necessary, call (210) 545-7171, ext. 404 for a STAT appointment with Dr. Alexandra Matthews.

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Is the Pressure to Excel Actually Hurting Your Child?

Young athletes are being increasingly driven to focus on a single sport in the hopes that they can join elite teams and earn college sports scholarships. The bad news is that early specialization has led to an increase in injuries, overtraining and burnout, according to recent studies.

What was once a free-play environment that children enjoy has become more demanding, adult-driven and structured. Training is more intense, and the pressure to succeed can be too much for young athletes, leading to burnout and injury. Coaches and parents alike can be responsible for encouraging this intense training and specialization.

In fact, research supports the positive effects of diversification in young athletes as opposed to specialization. Early diversification develops greater motor skills and athleticism that will serve young athletes well if they choose to specialize later.

Signs to Watch Out For

The warning signs of overtraining and burnout include:

• Change in mood
• Lack of enthusiasm
• Weight loss
• Increase in injuries
• Joint and muscle pain
• Exhaustion

If your child has been rigorously participating in a physically demanding team sport (i.e., tennis, football or basketball) and is exhibiting any of these symptoms, talk to them about it. When they feel that they’re in a safe and loving environment, they are more likely to open up about the pressure to succeed and any symptoms they may be experiencing.

Let them know that cutting back on these strenuous activities is nothing to be ashamed of. Have them examined by a pediatric sports specialist to check for any injuries that may have occurred and rehab if necessary.

On the topic, Dr. Alexandra Matthews, Orthopedic Performance Institute Sports Medicine specialist says, “Recent literature has shown an increase in physeal (growth plate) injuries, overtraining syndrome, and other pathologies as a result of specializing too early in sports. Adolescents who play multiple sports and specialize at a later age report more overall satisfaction in their athletic careers. In addition, they are more likely to exercise and participate in pick up games later in life.”

At Orthopedic Performance Institute, our dedicated physicians are experts at identifying and treating pediatric sports injuries. Contact us for an appointment today to ensure that your young athlete stays in top shape. Our offices are conveniently located in San Antonio and Boerne, Texas.

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