At SSM DePaul Health Center, our orthopedic surgeons specialize in the preventative care and treatment of athletes of all ages and skill levels.

They treat patients for a variety of sports-related injuries, including problems with muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones in the arms and legs.

Their specialties include knees, hips, shoulders and ligament repair and reconstruction. A sports injury is a setback for any athlete, but with state-of-the-art treatment and rehabilitation, you will be back in action soon. To find an orthopedic surgeon who is right for you, click here to visit our physician/surgeon page or call 314-SSM-DOCS.

Conditions & Injuries
For a comprehensive listing of sports-related conditions, injuries and treatments, visit the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons website.

Preventative Care for Adults
Most sports injuries are the result of inadequate training or overuse of muscles or joints. It’s estimated that 6 out of 10 people who start exercising sustain a sports injury within six weeks. However, with the proper precautions, sports injuries can often be prevented.

Here are some basic steps to prevent a sports injury:

• Always use the recommended equipment and safety gear for each sport or activity.
• Warm up properly before any physical activity.
• Alternate exercising different muscle groups and exercise every other day.
• Cool down properly after exercise or sports.
• Stretching exercises can improve the muscles' ability to perform, reducing the risk for injury.
• Shoe support may correct certain foot problems that can lead to injury.
• Back injuries may be prevented with certain abdominal and core strengthening exercises.
• If you do sustain a sports injury, make sure you participate in adequate rehabilitation before resuming strenuous activity.

Preventative Care for Children
Participating in sports helps teach children the importance of physical fitness, sportsmanship and discipline. But athletic activities also carry the potential for injury.

Kids, particularly those under 8 years old, are less coordinated and have slower reaction times than adults because they are still growing and developing. And children mature at different rates. When kids of varying heights and weights play sports together, that can increase the risk of injury. As kids get bigger and stronger, the potential for injury increases, largely because of the amount of force involved in contact sports.

You may be able to help prevent your child from being injured by following some simple guidelines:

• Use the Proper Equipment - It's important for your child to use the recommended equipment and safety gear for each sport and make sure it fits correctly.
• Safe Playing Surfaces - Check that playing fields do not have holes and ruts that might cause kids to fall or trip. High-impact sports should be played on surfaces that are more forgiving, like tracks or wooden basketball courses.
• Adult Supervision - All team sports should be supervised by qualified adults.
• Safety First Attitude - The team coach should have training in first aid and CPR, and the coach should enforce playing rules and require that safety equipment be used at all times.
• Warm Up - Your child should be well hydrated and warmed up before playing a sport. Also make sure your child is allowed to take rest breaks if needed.