What is a Sports Injury?
A sports injury refers to any injury sustained while participating in sports or exercise. These injuries can be acute (happening suddenly, like a fracture or ligament tear) or chronic (developing over time due to overuse, like tendonitis or a stress fracture).
Common Sports Injuries We Treat
Dr. Behrens has extensive experience diagnosing and treating a wide range of sports-related conditions, including:
- Knee Injuries: ACL tears, meniscus tears, patellar tendonitis.
- Shoulder Injuries: Rotator cuff tears, dislocations, labral tears.
- Fractures: Broken bones from high-impact collisions or falls.
- Sprains and Strains: Ankle sprains, muscle pulls, and ligament injuries.
- Tendon Injuries: Achilles tendonitis, tennis elbow, golfer's elbow.
- Overuse Injuries: Stress fractures, shin splints.
Why See an Orthopaedic Surgeon for a Sports Injury?
While some minor injuries heal with rest, many sports injuries require specialized care. An accurate diagnosis is critical to ensure the injury heals properly and to prevent long-term problems like instability or arthritis. As an orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. Behrens can provide a complete spectrum of care, from non-operative management to advanced surgical reconstruction, with the goal of getting you back to your sport safely.
Our Treatment Approach
Our goal is not just to heal the injury, but to restore your strength, function, and confidence. We create a personalized recovery plan based on your specific injury and your athletic goals.
Non-Surgical Treatments
Most sports injuries are treated non-surgically. This can include a customized physical therapy program, bracing, anti-inflammatory medications, or injections. We focus on a "return-to-sport" protocol to ensure you are fully ready before resuming activity.
Surgical Treatments
When surgery is necessary, Dr. Behrens utilizes the most advanced, minimally invasive techniques available. This includes arthroscopic surgery for the knee and shoulder, which uses small incisions and a camera to repair damage, resulting in less pain, reduced scarring, and a faster recovery.
- Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction
- Arthroscopic Meniscus Repair
- Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair
- Surgical Fixation of Fractures