The Sports Medicine Center

Get help for the sprains and strains of an active lifestyle. Our trained and experienced orthopaedists will develop a personalized program to get you on the road to healing and back in action.

At The Sports Medicine Center we specialize in active lifestyles.

FOR INFORMATION OR AN APPOINTMENT, CALL 573-335-8257

Active Lifestyle Aches and Pains

When Should You See A Doctor? by Raymond A. Ritter, Jr., M.D.

Thousands of people, from the 'weekend warrior' to the trained athlete, seek medical attention for a variety of ailments resulting from physically active lifestyles. But, many are not sure when their aches and pains are serious enough to warrant a visit to the doctor. "When should I see a doctor?" is a common question when people have pain after recreational sports activities. The 'weekend warrior', those who play hard on occasion without a regular conditioning program, can almost expect to have some muscle and joint soreness and stiffness following activity. For this 'weekend warrior' it is tempting to simply play the sport without taking the time to properly condition the body. Without proper conditioning through warm-up, stretching, strengthening exercises, cool down and subsequent stretching, the 'warrior' risks muscle soreness, joint stiffness and injury.

Usually, a little time, moist heat, and perhaps one of the anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin or Aleve will lessen the painful symptoms of muscle and joint soreness and stiffness. Acetaminophen can be used if one has ulcer symptoms. If there is swelling involved, remember the acronym R-I-C-E; Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. R Rest allows your body to concentrate on healing itself. I Ice applied to the injured area will reduce swelling by limiting bleeding. Apply ice in a plastic bag for 30-60 minutes, several times a day, for 24 to 48 hours. C Compress the swollen area gently with an elastic bandage, taking care not to wrap the bandage too tightly as to cut off circulation. This will minimize the area that fluid can leak into. E Elevate the injured area above heart level so that gravity is used to drain the excess fluid away from the injury which reduces swelling and pain. Continue elevation until swelling subsides.

Sudden, more severe pain in the joint or muscle may indicate a more serious injury. If symptoms persist and interfere with normal function, it is reasonable to have your family physician, athletic trainer, or orthopedic surgeon evaluate the condition on an elective rather than emergency basis. Any persistent symptoms following an injury would also justify an evaluation by a physician. Injuries that are more disabling and prevent the use of the injured area, or that are associated with severe pain, swelling or deformity should be evaluated immediately, either by an emergency room physician or someone qualified to treat the specific injury. Following these basic guidelines should help minimize unnecessary trips to the doctor and the associated costs. It will also make it easier to care for those who truly need a doctor's care.