Staying active through sports is a great way to promote health and wellness. However, sports-related injuries can affect people of any age or skill level, from competitive athletes to casual weekend players.
Sustaining an injury doesn’t automatically mean you’ll need surgery as part of your treatment. Depending on the injury, an orthopedic doctor or spine specialist in New York can recommend non-surgical options that may help you recover. Here’s what you should know about conservative treatment for sports injuries.
When Is Surgery Usually Necessary for a Sports Injury?
Sports-related injuries are more common than you may think. The National Safety Council reports that about 4.4 million people were treated in emergency departments in 2024 for injuries involving sports and recreational equipment. Yet, that doesn’t mean every case required surgery.
You may need surgical treatment for moderate or severe injuries involving structural damage that prevents normal function. Surgery may also be necessary if conservative care fails to restore mobility, stability, or strength.
Surgery may be necessary to treat the following sports injuries or conditions:
- Nerve compression
- Tendon ruptures
- Severe ligament tears
- Major cartilage damage affecting your joints
An example of an injury that may require surgery is an ACL tear. According to research published in The Physician and Sportsmedicine, ACL tears had the highest rate of surgery among the injury types studied, at 7.95 surgeries per 100,000 athletic exposures across all sports.
Still, having a soft-tissue tear doesn’t automatically mean your injury requires surgery. Medical professionals conduct thorough evaluations and review the severity of symptoms and functional limitations, as well as your age and activity levels, to create a personalized plan of care that may include non-surgical treatment.
What Types of Injuries Benefit From Conservative Care?
Conservative orthopedic care may help with the following conditions:
- Rotator cuff injuries: Many such injuries respond well to physical therapy.
- Meniscus tears: Sports injury rehabilitation may work well for some meniscus tears by strengthening the hamstrings and hip muscles that help stabilize the knee and support joint function.
- Overuse injuries: Repetitive movements during sports can lead to injuries such as tennis elbow and Achilles tendonitis. However, physical therapy with progressive strengthening strategies may be helpful in some cases.
Can You Avoid Surgery for a Sports Injury With Conservative Treatment?
Non-surgical solutions may help prevent the need for surgery by supporting healing and restoring function. Some sports injuries can worsen without appropriate care, making recovery more difficult.
So, what conservative treatment options should be considered? Non-surgical treatment may include:
- Physical therapy to restore function and strengthen muscles
- Manual therapy techniques like active release therapy to address soft tissue restrictions and improve range of motion while reducing pain
- Injections like corticosteroid shots to temporarily relieve pain
Visit an Orthopedic Doctor in NYC To Explore Your Conservative Treatment Options
Some sports injuries respond well to orthopedic care, which we provide at New York Spine Specialist. Whether you need guidance with your ACL injury recovery or nerve compression that affects your daily function, you can expect our experienced medical professionals to personalize a treatment plan to address your specific situation.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). To schedule an appointment with an orthopedic doctor in NYC, call (516) 355-0111. Same-day appointments may be available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more about conservative treatment for sports injuries with our answers to common questions.
Is Physical Therapy a Good Sports-Related Hip Injury Treatment?
Physical therapy can be an effective treatment for sports-related hip injuries because it may help restore function and range of motion after a strain while strengthening the muscles that support the hip, including the core and glutes.
How Can I Prevent Common Sports Injuries?
You can help prevent common sports injuries by warming up before activity and cooling down afterward. Other injury prevention methods include strength training and adequate recovery time.
What Game Causes the Most Sports Injuries?
The game that causes the most sports injuries is basketball. According to the Insurance Information Institute, basketball was associated with more than 259,000 injuries treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2021 alone, while football accounted for more than 222,000 injuries during that same period.
What Conditions Are Treatable Through Sports Medicine in New York?
Conditions that sports medicine in New York may help treat include acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions resulting from exercise or physical activity. Joint dislocations, muscle strains, and ligament damage are common conditions that sports medicine may help treat.