CONGRATULATIONS to Dr. Mulford and Dr. Skerker for being honored Top Doc by New Jersey Monthly and Castle Connolly Medical, and Dr. Rajesh Rao for receiving the Patients’ Choice recognition.
Most ligament and musculoskeletal injuries DON'T need surgical intervention. When properly managed, the majority of ligament sprains can be successfully managed by proper modification of activity, use of modalities (ice, heat, massage, electric stimulation, ultrasound), medications, and specific/focused rehabilitation.
Achilles tendonitis is an injury that occurs due to overuse of the Achilles tendon. Acute Achilles tendonitis can happen when an athlete increases his or her training suddenly. This type of tendonitis normally fades with rest and then can become chronic Achilles tendonitis. Chronic Achilles tendonitis can be caused by a variety of different reasons, such as increased activity, lowered recovery time, new footwear, or even weakened calf muscles.
Symptoms
o Pain behind the ankle increasing over time
o Pain at the beginning of exercise but disappearing slowly during the activity
o Achilles tendon is tender to touch
Treatment
o Rest and apply ice to injury
o Anti-inflammatory medication if necessary
o Sports massage or ultrasound
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Achilles tendinitis will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
A very common injury, abrasions or road rash results from falling on a hard surface, which ends up rubbing against the outer layer of the skin called the epidermis, and sometimes the deeper layer known as the dermis. While blood loss from abrasions is minimal they can cause immense amounts of pain due to exposed nerve endings. If left untreated, abrasions can lead to serious skin infections.
Symptoms
o Burning and itching feeling
o Warm to touch
o Redness
Treatment
o Clean with mild soap
o Cover area with antibiotic ointment and gauze
For a severe abrasion or road rash consult an A.R.M. sports physician for effective treatment that will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
DOMS is soreness from exercise that occurs hours after exercise. Normally the result of excessive or abnormal amounts of exercise, DOMS is caused by tiny muscle tears in the fibers due to strenuous training. Usually this soreness is felt 12 to 24 hours after the strenuous session.
Symptoms
o Muscle aches
o Excessive tightness
o Discomfort for up to 3 days
Treatment
o Rest
o Light exercise and stretching to increase blood flow and healing process
o Massage
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for DOMS injuries will ensure a full recovery.
A concussion is a brain injury resulting from a sudden impact to the head or body. The brain, which is a made up of soft tissues, is surrounded by fluid in the skull. When the skull is delivered a heavy blow, the brain might hit the bone inside causing a concussion and temporarily preventing the brain from working.
Treatment for a concussion is dependant on the severity of the blow. Any symptom of a concussion after receiving a blow to the skull requires consultation with a medical professional immediately. For more severe and traumatic instances an athlete should be taken to the hospital.
Symptoms
o Mild dizziness or nausea
o Loss of memory for any time period after or during the injury
o Loss of consciousness
o Vomiting multiple times after the incident
o Repetition of the same statement multiple times
Treatment
o Ice the area of impact
o Seek immediate medical attention
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a Concussion will ensure safety and avoid further complications.
Osteoarthritis of the knee is the result of the wearing down of the cartilage and synovial membranes inside of the knee joint. In some cases bone spurs in the knee can form inside the joint causing pain. The cause of osteoarthritis can be from overuse, heredity, previous injuries to the knee joint, or weight.
Symptoms
o Aching pain deep in joint
o Inflammation of joint
o Stiffness in the joint
o Crunching or grinding sound
Treatment
o Rest and ice
o Braces
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
Chondromalacia is the weakening of the cartilage under the patella caused normally by overuse or weak thigh and hip muscles. Runners are very prone to this condition due to the constant stress put on the knee joint from the shock absorption in a running motion. Although common in runners, any athlete involved in a sport with running or hard surfaces can suffer from Chrondromalacia.
Symptoms
o Discomfort and pain of the inner knee
o Sense of tightness or fulness of the knee area
o Loss of strength in quadriceps causing your leg to give out
o Mild swelling of the knee
Treatment
o Resting the knee
o Physical therapy
o Strengthening and flexibility exercises to maintain fitness
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Chondromalacia will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
Ulnar neuropathy is the irritation of the ulna nerve, most common in cyclists. The entrapment of this nerve in cyclists is located in the wrist, due to high compression from the hands constantly being on the handlebars.
Symptoms
o Tingling and numbness in the pinky and ring fingers
o Weakening of grip
o Deterioration of muscle in advanced stages
Treatment
o Rest and ice
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Cortisone injections when necessary
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for ulnar neuropathy will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
Sprains and strains involve the stretching or tearing of tissues. A sprain involves ligaments, which attach bone to bone and a strain involves either muscles or tendons. Tendons are the fibrous tissues that connect muscles to bone. Sprains or strains can occur in multiple parts of the body, but tend to be prevalent near the joints.
Symptoms
o Swelling and Bruising
o Pain in effected area
o Tenderness in or around effected area
o Numbness
o Not capable of weight bearing activities
Treatment
o R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for strains and sprains will ensure a full recovery.
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is one of the most common causes of lateral knee pain. ITBS develops among athletes who are either constantly running or who repeatedly flex or extend their knees. Long distance runners and cyclists are extremely prone to ITBS, but it is also found in other sports such as tennis, soccer and volleyball.
Stretching and strengthening the knee are common treatments for ITBS. Surgery for ITBS is very rare, although cortisone injections are sometimes used if all other types of treatments fail.
Symptoms
o Pain on the outside of knee especially during exercise
o Tightness in the Illiotibial band
o Weakness during hip abduction
Treatment
o Rest and Ice
o Ultrasound and electronic stimulation
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Illiotibial band syndrome will ensure a full recovery.
Piriformis Syndrome involves both the muscles in the buttocks and the sciatic nerve. When these muscles become too tight, they generate pressure on the sciatic nerve. This causes pain radiating down the leg. The adductor muscle group located on the inside of the thigh is responsible for this condition.
Symptoms
o Tenderness in or around the muscle
o Pain in buttocks
o Reduced range of motion in hip
Treatment
o Apply heat
o Stretch the piriformis muscle
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for piriformis syndrome will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome involves a few different factors, but all of them relate to the tracking of the patella in the femoral groove. Imbalances of the muscle groups in the legs, poor flexibility and alignment of bone structure or issues in the foot and ankle are common causes for poor tracking.
Symptoms
o Pain on the sides of kneecap
o Grinding feeling or knee popping
Treatment
o Rest and ice
o Knee brace
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for patellofemoral pain syndrome will ensure a full and speedy recovery.
Plantar Fasciitis is the inflammation of a band of tissue that connects your heel bone to your toes. It usually starts with a mild pain. The inflammation originates from the Plantar Fascia tightening. It then begins to tear instead of flexing with the foot, causing irritation.
Plantar Fasciitis leads to complications with other body parts such as knee’s, hip, or back because it changes the athletes walking motion, placing stress on other joints. You may feel the pain after exercise, getting out of bed in the morning or after arising from any prolonged period of inactivity; allowing the Plantar Fascia to get tight and stiff.
Symptoms
o Sharp pain in heel or foot
o Worst pain occurs after awakening
o Also can occur after being seated or standing for prolonged periods of time
Treatment
o Rest
o Applying ice
o Keeping weight off your foot until the pain and inflammation subsides
o Avoiding running, jumping, or walking without any support or cushioning
o Use of Orthotics
o Anti-inflammatory medication when necessary
o Getting physical therapy and exercise to stretch your Achilles tendon and Plantar Fascia
o Use of night splints, cortisone injections, and surgery in extreme cases
Consulting an A.R.M. sports physician for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for Plantar Fasciitis will ensure a full recovery.
