Sports Injuries Are An Athlete’s Worst Nightmare
Athletes, especially those in high-contact sports, need to run, jump, and change direction quickly. As a result, there is a high risk of ankle and knee injuries. While some leg injuries, like knee sprains, are minor and require little downtime, others are more serious and require surgery. Moderate to severe injuries can feel devastating for athletes, as the time on the sidelines can impact self-esteem, performance, and even income. With arthroscopic surgery, the ankle and knee repair timeline is reduced significantly. Understanding the degree of injury and treatment options available influences how soon an athlete can stage a comeback.
Common ankle and knee sports injuries
The knee and ankle consist of bones, tendons, cartilage, and ligaments. All parts of the joint work together to stabilize the leg, reduce shock, and help with movement. Both the knee and ankle are susceptible to injuries due to overuse or a blow to the joint. Minor injuries are strains and sprains that occur when the muscles or tendons are overstretched. More severe joint injuries include muscle, cartilage, and ligament tears. The knee is at risk of developing severe injuries such as meniscus tears, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, and patellar tendon tears. At the ankle, fractures are more common. Ankle injuries also consist of peroneal and Achilles tendon tears. These injuries can sideline an athlete for several months.
Let’s take a look with arthroscopy
Surgery is often required for severe tendon and ligament tears. The goal of surgery is to reattach the damaged tissue or install a replacement, for example, with ACL reconstruction. Arthroscopic surgery is a method used by orthopedic surgeons. This procedure uses an arthroscope, an innovative device with a light and camera attachment. The scope goes through a small incision of less than an inch and projects an image of the joint on an external monitor. Using additional incisions, small surgical tools can repair, reattach, or replace joint components. Arthroscopic procedures allow athletes to receive surgery as soon as the following day after injury. The process also means the athlete can leave the surgical center the same day and begin rehabilitation almost immediately.
A faster return to sports
Arthroscopic repair helps athletes to achieve a faster return to sports. The surgery minimizes damage to the surrounding tissue. As a result, healing and rehabilitation occur faster than with traditional open surgery. There is also less postoperative pain, allowing athletes to ramp up physical therapy (PT) and heal in just a few weeks. Depending on the type of injury, several weeks or months of training that increases in intensity helps with a return to the field. This timeline sounds long, but, compared to open surgery, is cut by almost 50% in some cases. Arthroscopic repair also has high success rates, meaning performance is not compromised, and the risk of re-injury is significantly reduced.
Don’t call it a comeback
After a sports injury of the leg, athletes are eager to return to sports. Yet, the downtime can be distressing. Some require several weeks or months of rehabilitation. Arthroscopic repair is a minimally invasive surgery that can greatly influence this timeline. Thanks to less pain, faster healing, and improved function, athletes can quickly return to sports and perform at a high level.
