Fitness is not only meant for athletes alone; it applies to anyone who runs, tumbles, lifts weights in the gym, or trusts in going up a hill or trekking. Sports injuries are the most common type of injuries found in people who are involved in such activities. Though sports injuries appear to be temporary in nature, they can cause serious consequences if not dealt with properly.
These injuries may lead to worsened conditions, such as early arthritis, which may develop after breaks or tears in soft tissues such as cartilage and tendon. Sports injuries in early adults above the age of 18 bear consequences similar to those encountered in the rest of the population.
Arthritis Doctor in Bangalore making his expert remarks on early arthritis in connection to sports injuries: Sports injuries are mainly treated as accidents relating to athletes, gym head, or any person who runs, treks, or goes to the gym for the sake of health. These injuries tend to appear temporary, but they may yield unrealistic consequences and may last for long if not properly dealt with.
Even a relatively benign injury may result in deterioration such as founding early arthritis after a break or tear of soft tissues such as cartilage or tendon. Effects of sports injuries in young adults, or anyone above 18 years, may be similar to those in the rest of the population.
One of the most unnoticed outcomes of sports injuries, as per the top arthritis doctors in Bangalore, is the onset of early arthritis.
Adults in their 20s and 30s are now experiencing joint issues much earlier than the previous generations, and the injuries sustained in sports that have not been taken care of is one of the biggest reasons. This blog uncovers the relationship between sports injuries and early arthritis, also the signs of the disease and when visiting an arthritis doctor in Bangalore would be a good idea.
How Sports Injuries Lead to Early Arthritis
People generally relate arthritis with old age. However, according to the doctors, joint wear and tear caused by sports injuries is the main reason of arthritis at an early age. When one is injured, his/her cartilage, ligaments, or even other supporting structures might be damaged without a proper healing process. These healing stages may lead towards:
- Chronic inflammation
- Joint instability
- Abnormal movement patterns
- Faster degeneration of cartilage
Eventually, the damage on joints builds up and increases the chances of arthritis at a young age (mainly in the knees, ankles, and hips, which are among the body parts that carry most of the weight).
Common Sports Injuries That Can Trigger Early Arthritis
Arthritis specialists in Bangalore often point out the following kinds of injuries that substantially elevate the risk of arthritis:
1. ACL Tears
One of the major causative events of ACL tears is the sudden twisting movement of the knee in sports. Even after a reconstructive surgical operation, altered knee mechanics due to the injury may lead to cartilage damage and, amazingly, early arthritis.
2. Meniscus Tears
The meniscus is the one which absorbs the impact and makes the knee joint frictionless. As a result, when a tear occurs, the pressure on the cartilage doubles leading to its fast wear and tear.
3. Repeated Ankle Sprains
Due to multiple ankle sprains, a person experiences ankle instability which tricked converts the mode of walking and thus, continuous joint stress leads to the development of arthritis.
4. Shoulder Dislocations
Dislocation of the shoulder may injure one or more of the following: cartilage, labrum, and ligaments that support the shoulder. The risk for shoulder joint arthritis will increase as a result of repeated dislocations.
5. Wrist Injuries
Wrist injuries that are common among gym lovers and racket-sport players usually end in incomplete healing, thereby causing misalignment and consequently joint wearing over time.
Without proper rehab after the injuries, the chances of early life arthritis in such cases are extremely high.
Why Young Adults Are Experiencing Arthritis Earlier
The phenomenon of early arthritis among people in their 20s and 30s is getting more and more apparent in large cities such as Bangalore. The reasons behind it are:
- High-intensity sports activities
- Not doing enough warm-up and stretching
- Not acknowledging early signs of joint pain
- Going back to playing sports too soon after an injury
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle but doing sudden bursts of activity
- Training on hard surfaces, especially artificial turf grounds
Each factor mentioned above leads to the occurrence of repetitive microtrauma and joint stress.
Early Signs of Arthritis After Sports Injury
If you have a history of sports injury, it is extremely important to keep an eye on your joints and be aware of these early symptoms of arthritis:
- Joint stiffness, very notable after rest periods
- Sensation of mild or moderate pain while walking or going up and down the stairs
- Clicking, cracking, or grinding sound or feeling
- Swelling that is not constant
- Decrease in joint range
- Sense of joint instability or weakness
Close monitoring of these symptoms is a must, and when they become a persistent problem, a consultation with an arthritis specialist in Bangalore for an early diagnosis is strongly recommended.
How the Doctor Diagnoses Post-Injury Arthritis
When a patient is suffering from pain in the joint caused by an injury, Orthopedic specialists do not only use one technique but rather a mix of methods to figure out whether the patient is suffering from early arthritis:
1. X-Rays
X-Rays are the first step to finding out whether there is a problem in the functioning of the bones/planning the bones as well as locating the joint and determining the changes in the structure that have affected the bones at the earliest stage.
2. MRI Scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) helps to reveal deterioration of the cartilage, damage of the ligaments, tears of the meniscus, as well as injury of soft tissues.
3. Gait Analysis
It is used to detect any atypical loading of the joints that could lead to an eventual problem.
4. Physical Examination
It is used to identify local pain, swelling, loss of stability, and range of motion.
Correct identification of a problem paves the way for a doctor to come up with a personalized long-term joint care plan.
How Arthritis Doctor in Bangalore Treat Their Patients
Treatment with modern methods has the patients’ main goals as pain relief, complete restoration of movement, and preventing further development of arthritis.
1. Medications & Injections
- If the patient is on anti-inflammatory medicines, he is advised to continue using it regularly
- The patients may take supplements which are designed to protect the cartilages
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) injections
- Hyaluronic acid injections
These changes in the body result in less inflamation and better friction-free movements of the joint.
2. Physiotherapy
The treatment core which helps to build up the muscles around the affected part, extend the joint, and returns the body to the usual movement patterns.
3. Lifestyle Modifications
The following advices are given to the patients:
- Not to do that kind of workout which is high-impact
- To switch to low-impact workouts such as swimming or cycling
- To keep a healthy weight
- Proper footwear should be used
- To follow the warm-up routine that is already planned
4. Regenerative Techniques
Techniques like stem cell therapy, which is a recourse to slow down the process of early cartilage wear, have been recently introduced.
5. Surgical Options (Only if Required)
Where the case is extreme and there are structural problems, operations such as arthroscopy, ligament repair, or cartilage restoration might be suggested.
Prevention-from-sports-injury-to-arthritis
Prevention is better than the cure when it comes to the health of the joints; to prevent the early onset of arthritis:
✔ Complete rehabilitation for the injury sustained
Under no condition should sports be resumed without approval from the orthopedic specialist.
✔ Strengthening of core and joint-supporting muscles
Weak musculature puts extra strain on the joints.
✔ Maintaining neutral body weight
Even a small weight reduction will relieve pressure on knee joints.
✔ Avoiding over-training
Proper joint rest and recovery must be ensured.
✔ Using proper gear and footwear
Shock-absorbing shoes and supportive braces are essential to safeguarding compromised joints.
✔ Maintaining correct sports techniques
Incorrect positioning places extra strain on joints and increases risks of injury.
Sports can be kept safe and pleasurable without compromising the long-term health of the joints if injury-prevention methods are used.
When to Consider Seeking an Arthritis Doctor in Bangalore
Set up a consultation if:
- An old sports injury is affecting you
- Recurrent joint pain
- Swelling after activity
- Reduced range of movement and stiffness
- Pain lasting over two weeks
- Sensing instability or weakness in your joint
An early intervention means that mild joint issues are prevented from becoming chronic arthritis.
Conclusion
Even a sports injury sustained by a young, active individual could lead to early arthritis if left untreated or under-treated during rehabilitation. Awareness of sports injury-to-joint-degeneration relationships and consultations with Dr Akshay Shetty, an arthritis doctor in Bangalore, to seek timely treatment, possibly maintain your joints and allow you to get on with your active life.
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