At Casper Orthopedics, our fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors are the experts in assessing, diagnosing, and treating sports-related injuries and conditions.

Sports medicine doctors have expertise in understanding the many conditions and injuries athletes and active people develop as a result of participating in sports or similar activities. In particular, they understand how the joints function and are affected during sports and know how to offer both conservative treatments as well as surgical procedures when needed to remedy the problem. 

Sports medicine doctors often work with high school or college athletes who play contact sports like football or soccer, treating injuries as well as counseling them, so they are less likely to become injured in the future. Another type of active person a sports medicine doctor treats is a tennis or baseball player, runner, or golfer. In contrast to athletes who play contact sports, these patients often suffer from repetitive strain injuries–in other words, when they use a joint over and over again with significant force, it can cause damage. Although the pain these different athletes experience might have similarities, the type of treatment required can be quite different. An experienced sports medicine doctor will understand what treatment is best for each individual.

When Should You Visit a Sports Medicine Doctor?

It's important to be aware of the specific issues surrounding your pain so that you can tell your sports medicine doctor specifically what you are experiencing. Sharing this information with your doctor can help him or her better understand what might be causing your pain and what treatments to offer. Here are some common symptoms that people with sports-related problems experience:

• Audible popping sound when the joint was injured
• Knee is locked and will not bend
• Knee or other joint feels loose
• Must limp due to injury
• Pain extending down the forearm
• Pain on the outside of the knee
• Severe cramping
• Swelling of the injured joint
• Tenderness
• Trouble moving the elbow or hand

If you have any of these symptoms or are experiencing another type of pain, you may have one of the following medical conditions, which can be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon:

• Dislocation (such as the finger)
• Elbow injury (golfer's elbow or tennis elbow)
• Meniscus tears
• Rotator cuff tears
• Strains (such as groin or lower back)
• Sprained ankle
• Torn ligaments (ACL or MCL)
• Fractures (wrist, leg, arm)

To treat your sports-related condition or injury, our doctors will exhaust all conservative treatment options first before recommending surgery. Please be assured that if surgery is necessary, our surgeons use state-of-the-art technology to perform the latest surgical procedures, like arthroscopic ACL repair, hip arthroscopy, rotator cuff repair, and arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Our doctors understand that pain can alter your daily lifestyle and are dedicated to getting you back to the activities you love. To schedule an appointment at one of our locations in Casper or Douglas, please call (307) 265-7205 or click on the Appointment Request button. 

If immediate attention is required for your sports-related injury or condition, you can visit our OrthoCare Now at our Casper location. Walk-ins are welcome, and no appointment is necessary.

Experience Proven Results at Casper Orthopedics

Our board-certified and fellowship-trained doctors and surgeons at Casper Orthopedics, Brent C. Fowler, M.D., Trevor P. Gessel, M.D., Matthew T. Gorman, M.D., Eric H. Linford, M.D., and Daniel W. White, M.D., provide compassionate, experienced care for sports-related injuries and conditions. When a doctor is fellowship-trained, it means they have completed an extra year of schooling that focused on a specific body part or area of specialty, like sports medicine. With this additional training, our surgeons have the knowledge and expertise to diagnose and treat your sports-related condition or injury. Although our surgeons are expertly-trained in the latest surgical procedures, they will always use nonsurgical methods first before proposing surgery.

Working closely with our surgeons, our specialty-trained physical and occupational therapists provide comprehensive rehabilitation services. Our entire team is focused on developing a treatment plan that is specific to your goals and needs in order to get you back to your active lifestyle.

To schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic sports medicine surgeons, please call (307) 265-7205 or request an appointment online.