Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery

Sports injuries can occur as a result of participation in strenuous athletic activities, as well as from more routine exertions such as lifting, stretching and doing chores around the house.

NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital offers a full-service advanced facility dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, including subspeciality care in sports medicine.

Orthopedic specialists offer a range of surgical and non-surgical options to treat sports injuries and help patients recover and get back on the field, back to the pastimes they enjoy, and back to the activities of everyday life.

Sports Injuries

The most common sports injuries are strained muscles, tendons, ligaments and joints that occur as a result of overexertion and impact fractures that arise from participation in contact sports like basketball or football. 

Sports injuries and related conditions orthopedic specialists treat include:

Diagnosing Sports Injuries and Conditions

For some sports injuries, your physician may perform tests such as applying pressure to damaged cartilage to identify tenderness, swelling, or anatomical abnormalities. Injuries typically inhibit movement, so a limited range of movements or pain resulting from specific movements can often be used to diagnose injury. Strength tests may also be used to identify joint weakness. 

If imaging services are needed, NHRMC Health and Diagnostics offers diagnostic radiology services including CT scans, x-rays, ultrasound and MRI at New Hanover Regional Medical Center and the Orthopedic Hospital, as well as through outpatient locations around the region.

Treatment of Sports Injuries 

Many sports injuries and related conditions can be treated non-surgically.  Orthopedic specialists will first determine if there are ways to help reduce pain and restore function before recommending surgery.  Non-surgical treatments include rest and rehabilitation, bracing and orthotics to take pressure off of joints, medications like aspirin and ibuprofen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) to relieve pain and inflammation, over-the-counter patches, rubs and ointments, and switching to sports activities that put less stress on the affected areas, such as swimming and other low-impact exercises.

Surgical Treatment of Sports Injuries

When sports injuries fail to respond to non-surgical remedies and begin to interfere with life’s daily activities, surgical treatments may be required.  Meeting with an orthopedic specialist will provide you with options that best meet your individual needs. Surgical options for sports injuries include knee arthoscopy, knee replacement surgery, ACL reconstruction, cartilage restoration, arthroscopic rotator cuff repairs, shoulder replacement surgery, tennis and golfer's elbow release, ligament reconstruction, and operative fixation of fractures.

NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital

Sports injury surgeries at NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital are performed in a stand-alone dedicated facility in which staff is entirely focused on your orthopedic care. The largest orthopedic program in Eastern North Carolina, NHRMC Orthopedic Hospital offers eight operating rooms and a pre-op clinic outfitted specifically for orthopedic care, advanced imaging and diagnostic equipment, surgical suites, and rehabilitation services..

Finding an Orthopedic Specialist

25 board-certified or board-eligible orthopedic surgeons are on the medical staff at New Hanover Regional Medical Center.  The practices have office locations Wilmington, Burgaw, Jacksonville, Leland, Porters Neck, and Whiteville to better serve people throughout southeastern North Carolina. 

Visit our Physician Directory to find an orthopedic physician who specializes in sports medicine.

Recovery

Our commitment to exceptional orthopedic care continues after surgery with specialized services to ensure a smooth transition to full recovery. 

For serious and recreational athletes who are recovering from muscle and skeletal injuries, New Hanover Regional Medical Center's sports rehabilitation program focuses on improving the athlete's performance after injury with strength and endurance programs and specialized physical therapy regimens.

If Home Care services are needed, NHRMC staff will work with you to set up visits with the home care agency of your choice, including NHRMC Home Care, an affiliate of New Hanover Regional Medical Center.

NHRMC Rehabilitation Services
NHRMC Home Care

More Information on Sports Injuries and Related Conditions

For more information, please visit our Health Encyclopedia.