Sports injuries are prevalent across all levels of athletic activity. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or professional athlete, prompt treatment is crucial for returning to your sport safely and swiftly. Common treatments for sports injuries range from over-the-counter pain medication all the way to surgery. But with stem cell therapy from Stem Cell Institute Panama, you may be able to get back in the game more quickly without the need for surgery or a lengthy recovery time.
In this blog, we’ll look at five common sports injuries and their treatments, including:
- Tendonitis
- Runner’s knee
- ACL tears
- MCL tears
- Rotator cuff tears
Common Sports Injuries
Tendonitis is common among athletes, with about half of sports injuries affecting tendons due to overuse or repetitive motion. Runner’s knee, ACL tears, MCL tears, and rotator cuff tears are also common sports-related injuries, characterized by pain, swelling, and reduced functionality. They’re often caused by overuse or improper biomechanics.
1. Tendonitis
Tendonitis is generally rare, affecting only 2-5% of the population. However, it’s one of the more common sports injuries, making up about 50% of all sports injuries.
Tendonitis is the inflammation of tendons, often caused by overuse or repetitive motion. It commonly presents as pain, swelling, and tenderness in the affected area, such as the elbow (tennis elbow) or the Achilles tendon (Achilles tendonitis).
2. Runner’s Knee
Runner’s knee (patellofemoral pain syndrome) is characterized by pain around the kneecap. Worsened by activities like running or jumping, it can result from factors like:
- Overuse
- Muscle imbalances
- Improper biomechanics
This leads to discomfort during physical activities.
3. ACL Tears
ACL tears are common sports injuries among professional and recreational athletes alike. These significant knee injuries involve the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament. They often occur during sports activities requiring sudden stops, changes in direction, or jumping. ACL tears affect the knee joint by causing:
- Pain
- Swelling
- Instability
- Limited range of motion
4. MCL Tears
MCL tears involve damage to the medial collateral ligament, a band of tissue on the inner side of the knee. They typically result from a direct blow to the outer knee or a twisting motion. Like ACL tears, MCL tears cause pain, swelling, and instability in the knee joint.
5. Rotator Cuff Tears
Rotator cuff tears to the muscles and tendons surrounding the shoulder joint. They’re common in sports that require a lot of overhead motion, such as:
- Baseball
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Golf
- Swimming
They often occur due to repetitive overhead motions, such as those in baseball pitching or tennis serves. Rotator cuff tears cause pain, weakness, and limited range of motion in the shoulder.
Common Treatments for Sports Injuries
Injuries are common in sports and have even been on the rise in many professional leagues. The NFL saw a significant rise in injuries in 2020, and the sports injury rate almost doubled for MLS. Traditional sports injury treatment involves multifaceted approaches which range from simple rest to invasive solutions like surgery.
One of the foundational principles for minor injuries is the RICE method, which stands for:
- Rest
- Ice
- Compression
- Elevation
If you grew up playing sports, or have even experienced simple sprains as an adult, you have most likely followed the RICE method.
Physical therapy also plays a crucial role in sports injury rehabilitation. Physical therapists employ various techniques such as:
- Exercises
- Stretches
- Manual therapy
Techniques like ultrasound or electrical stimulation have been used to improve range of motion, strength, and function. Medications may also be prescribed for pain management during traditional treatment methods.
In some cases, these measures aren’t enough to bring relief and improvement needed for an injury. This can be especially true for professional athletes, repeat injuries, or active adults who are battling the process of their bodies aging. When the injury is severe, surgical intervention is often recommended by medical doctors, coupled with a period of immobilization and rehabilitation. But many pro athletes don’t have the kind of time required for a full recovery from surgery. In these situations, stem cell therapy may be the best answer for physical improvement and recovery.
Stem Cell Therapy for Sports Injuries
Stem cell therapy is a growing field of regenerative medicine embraced by many people facing common sports injuries. This includes professional athletes seeking alternatives to invasive medical approaches. Stem cells may provide accelerated recovery from sports-related injuries, avoiding surgery and weeks of recovery.
While some stem cell clinics in the United States may offer treatment for sports injuries, their capabilities fall short compared to other stem cell clinics globally. Notably, Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama, stands out among international stem cell clinics for our advanced treatment offerings and legacy of positive patient experiences and results.
Renowned among athletes like professional football star George Kittle, we create personalized treatment regimens for each of our patients, leveraging the potential of specially-selected mesenchymal stem cells known as Golden Cells™ in injury rehabilitation. Derived from over 15 years of extensive scientific research and over 50,000 stem cell procedures, stem cell therapy at Stem Cell Institute Panama may promote:
- Immune system modulation
- Inflammation reduction
- Tissue regeneration
Our proprietary Golden Cells™ are at the forefront of this innovation. Our founder, Neil Riordan, PA, PhD, identified the most effective molecular structures after a rigorous retrospective analysis of our most successful cases.
We now employ these Golden Cells™ to help ensure optimal outcomes for those seeking relief from sports-related injuries. Stem cell therapy with Golden Cells™ at Stem Cell Institute Panama holds promise in repairing damaged tissues encompassing:
- Tendons
- Ligaments
- Muscles
- Cartilage
The advantages of using stem cells facilitated through Dr. Neil Riordan’s lab, Medistem Panama, include increased safety and efficacy. We guarantee high-quality cells that have been meticulously collected, screened, processed, tested and preserved by a laboratory staff of over 75 – including 15 technicians dedicated solely to quality control.
These robust cells are also found in great abundance thanks to being sourced from umbilical cord tissue donated from pre-screened mothers in Panama after normal, healthy births.
Our Golden Cells™ are administered over multiple sessions to ensure safety and uniform dosing with high cell counts. This helps support promising sustained therapeutic benefits for patients undergoing therapy for common sports injuries and many other conditions.
Want to learn how stem cell therapy may be able to help your sports-related injury? Click here to apply today!
Tendonitis results from overuse or repetitive motion, manifesting as pain, swelling, and tenderness. Runner’s knee, ACL, MCL tears, and rotator cuff tears are common sports injuries caused by overuse or biomechanical issues. Common treatments for sports injuries include the RICE method and physical therapy, but severe cases may require surgery. Stem Cell Institute offers personalized stem cell therapy as an alternative to promote healing, inflammation reduction, and tissue regeneration for various sports injuries, ensuring optimal outcomes.
Stem Cell Institute in Panama City, Panama is at the forefront of applied stem cell research. Since our inception in 2008, we have performed over 50,000 procedures, helping thousands of families across the United States and worldwide embrace the opportunity for a better life. Our medical team prioritizes the health and well-being of all our patients through top-notch stem cell treatment and care.