Orthopaedic Innovations for Sports Injuries

By Dr Mazzre Mahmod, Consultant Orthopaedic, Sports & Trauma Surgeon at Bukit Tinggi Medical Centre (BTMC)

From diagnosis to rehabilitation for full recovery

Sports injuries are an inevitable aspect of an athlete’s life, from minor sprains to more serious conditions requiring surgical intervention. Whether they are weekend warriors or professionals, they face a high risk of injury due to the physical demands of their sports. When injuries are severe, orthopaedic surgery becomes essential in ensuring effective recovery and restoring full function.
Prompt diagnosis and intervention can make a world of difference in recovery times and outcomes for athletes. Understanding the nature of the injury is the first step toward successful rehabilitation.

Sports injuries are generally categorised into two main groups: bone injuries and soft tissue injuries. Both categories often require surgical intervention, depending on the severity of the damage.

Types of sports injuries

Bone Injuries – Bone and stress fractures are quite common, especially in high-impact sports like football or basketball. These injuries may occur due to sudden trauma, such as a fall or a direct blow during a game. These fractures must be addressed quickly to prevent long-term complications like improper bone healing or loss of function.

Soft Tissue Injuries-Ligament, tendon, and cartilage injuries comprise a significant portion of sports-related injuries. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injuries, often seen in athletes who play sports involving quick direction changes like football and badminton, typically require surgical repair to restore joint stability. These injuries can compromise the stability of the knee, and surgery is often necessary to restore normal function.

Meniscal tears are another common issue, particularly in sports, like running. When cartilage is damaged, minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopy are used to repair or remove the injured tissue.

Early diagnosis and treatment can significantly improve recovery times and outcomes. Athletes who delay treatment often face longer rehabilitation periods and increased risk of re-injury.

Common sports injuries and mechanisms of damage

Some of the most common sports injuries that require orthopaedic surgery include ligament injuries, cartilage damage, and ankle fractures. Injuries can result from direct contact, such as being tackled in football, or from indirect causes like twisting a joint during an awkward landing. Knowing the mechanism of injury helps us tailor the surgical approach and rehabilitation plan.

Ligament Injuries – Particularly to the ACL and MCL, ligament injuries are common in sports like football and basketball. These injuries typically occur during rapid direction changes or high-impact collisions. ACL injuries can be quite devastating for athletes because they compromise knee stability. Surgery helps restore the knee’s structural integrity.

Cartilage Injuries – High-impact sports can cause significant cartilage damage, especially in the knees and shoulders. Meniscal tears are common among athletes involved in repetitive stress activities like running. Arthroscopic surgery is often used to repair or remove damaged cartilage, which helps reduce pain and restore mobility.

Ankle Injuries – Ankle sprains and fractures are prevalent in almost all sports. Twisting injuries from a misstep or improper landing can result in severe ligament damage or fractures, often requiring surgical fixation.

Age and previous injuries as factors for injury severity, recovery

Age and past injuries play a significant role in determining the severity and recovery of sports injuries. As athletes age, their tissues naturally become less elastic, and healing processes slow down. Older athletes often experience more severe soft tissue injuries, which can take longer to heal, even with surgical intervention. The reduced regenerative capacity in older adults may mean that surgery is not just about fixing the immediate injury but also addressing degenerative changes in the joints and tissues.

Previous injuries also impact an athlete’s recovery. Recurrent injuries, particularly to the same joint or area, can cause long-term instability and weaken the surrounding structures. Surgery may need to be more extensive in these cases to restore full function and prevent future damage. Athletes with previous surgeries, especially involving ligaments or tendons, are more susceptible to re-injury, making prevention and thorough rehabilitation critical components of their long-term care.

MRI in sports injuries

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) plays a vital role in diagnosing sports injuries. “MRI allows us to see the soft tissues in great detail, which is essential for diagnosing ligament, cartilage, and tendon injuries. However, MRI is not a standalone diagnostic tool. It’s important to correlate MRI findings with the patient’s clinical symptoms and physical examination. This helps ensure that the surgery we plan is both necessary and beneficial for the patient.

Surgical techniques: traditional vs minimally invasive approaches

The evolution of orthopaedic surgery has seen significant advancements, particularly with the introduction of minimally invasive techniques. Traditionally, surgeries for sports injuries required large incisions, leading to longer recovery times. These methods were effective but came with more significant postoperative discomfort and longer rehabilitation periods.
Modern surgery has embraced arthroscopy, a minimally invasive technique that uses smaller incisions and specialised instruments. Arthroscopy allows us to treat injuries like ACL tears and meniscal damage with less trauma to the surrounding tissues. The recovery is faster, and patients can begin rehabilitation much sooner.
With the integration of advanced imaging technologies and more precise surgical tools, these procedures have improved significantly, enhancing both short-term recovery and long-term outcomes for patients.

Recovery and rehabilitation

After orthopaedic surgery, the focus shifts to rehabilitation. “The surgery itself is only half the battle. A comprehensive rehabilitation plan is crucial for regaining strength, flexibility, and mobility. One of the challenges athletes face is staying committed to physiotherapy. Physiotherapy should be viewed as part of the treatment, not just an add-on. I always remind my patients that what they do in rehabilitation will directly affect how quickly and how well they return to their sport.

A balanced diet also plays a vital role in supporting the healing process. Nutrients such as proteins, vitamins, and minerals aid in tissue repair and overall recovery. Structured return-to-sport protocols are key in ensuring athletes don’t push themselves too soon and risk re-injury. We follow evidence-based protocols that gradually reintroduce activity levels while monitoring the healing process. The goal is to get athletes back to their previous performance levels, but safely.

Athletes with a history of repeated injuries face potential long-term consequences. If an injury is not treated correctly or keeps recurring, it can lead to chronic conditions such as early-onset osteoarthritis or permanent joint instability. This makes it vital for athletes to not only recover fully but also focus on preventing future injuries through proper conditioning and training.

Takeaway points

Orthopaedic surgery for sports injuries is an essential tool in restoring athletes to their peak performance. With advancements in surgical techniques, early intervention, and structured rehabilitation, athletes can recover faster and more effectively.

Prevention is always better than cure, but when injuries happen, getting the right diagnosis and treatment quickly can make all the difference in an athlete’s career and long-term health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, focusing on injury prevention, and following through with recovery protocols are crucial steps toward long-term athletic success.

Tags: featured, injuries, MJN enews, Orthopaedic, Sports

Category: MJN enews, Top Story