Sports Medicine in Austin | Greater Austin Pain Center

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine was initially developed to help professional athletes prevent and manage their injuries, while also helping them to improve essential performance factors like conditioning and pain management. At the Greater Austin Pain Center, we don’t just focus on the health and wellbeing of elite athletes, we use our knowledge and expertise in sports medicine to help all of our clients who want to enjoy physical activities. Whether you like to take an occasional jog or are a dedicated marathon runner, we can help you stay healthy and prepared with our sports medicine services and treatments.

Sports Injuries

Many of us rely on sports and physical activity to keep in shape and stay healthy. So, when we experience a sports injury, it can greatly affect our ability to maintain an active, healthy lifestyle. The more time we spend on the sidelines, due to a sports injury, the further we slide back from our fitness goals.

You don’t have to fear sports injuries when you have our team on your side. Our sports medicine experts will identify the nature of your injury and create a personalized treatment plan that will get you back into the game quickly and effectively.

Common Sports Injuries

Frozen Shoulder

Also known as adhesive capsulitis, this condition is characterized by pain and loss of motion in the shoulder joint. It is generally more common between ages 40 and 60. Women are more likely to suffer from frozen shoulder.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

Commonly known as an ACL tear, an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury is a sports-related injury that generally happens when the knee is forcefully twisted or hyperextended.

Rotator Cuff Tear

This sports injury results from pressure on the rotator cuff from part of the shoulder blade, as the arm is lifted. A rotator cuff tear may occur with repeated use of the arm for overhead activities, common in many sports.

Tennis Elbow

Also known as lateral epicondylitis, this painful condition occurs when the tendons in your elbow are overburdened, often through repetitive motions of the wrist and arm.

Tendinitis

Tendonitis is the irritation or inflammation of a tendon. When the thick, fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone become distressed it can cause pain and tenderness outside of the joint. Some types of sport injury related tendonitis:

Golfer’s elbow
Swimmer’s shoulder
Jumper’s knee
Pitcher’s shoulder

Sprains and Strains

Sports-related sprain injuries result from the over-stretching or tearing of the ligaments.

Sports Injuries: Strains vs. Sprains

While strains and sprains share some similarities, they have distinct differences that are important to identify, as it could change the treatment method.

Characteristics of Strains

Mild swelling
Muscle spasms
Difficulty using the joint’s full range of motion
Pain near the affected joint
Diminished flexibility

Characteristics of Sprains

Mild to moderate swelling
Bruising
Inability to use the joint’s full range of motion
More intense pain around the affected joint
Limited flexibility

Sports Injury Prevention

While we are proud to help our clients overcome sports injuries, we also want to help prevent them in the first place. The science of sports injury prevention has come a long way over the last few decades and we want to share that knowledge and wisdom with our patients.

How to Prevent Sports Injuries

Wear appropriate personal protective gear like helmets, pads, goggles, etc.
Rest your body. You can help to avoid overuse injury and burnout by giving your body regular intervals of down time in between heavy workout sessions.
Progressively increase the frequency, intensity, and duration of your training regimen. This will help you avoid common overuse injuries.
Participate in a variety of physical activities. Some sports are great and working your legs, while others work the upper body or improve your stamina.
Don’t play through the pain. Seek out a sports injury expert to advise you on how to deal with your pain and potential sports injury.

Create a balance between strength, cardiovascular, flexibility, and skills training. This will ensure that the essential areas of your physical wellbeing are progressing at the same level.
Prepare for hazardous environmental conditions, especially in the scorching Austin summer months. Even something as simple as a sunburn can make a significant impact on your wellbeing and fitness goals.
Seek out a sports injury professional for a rehabilitation plan. Online guides can be helpful, but for the best results, a sports medicine specialist can ensure that you heal quickly and safely.

Woman at elevators in front of San Antonio Eye Specialists sign.

Our Process

1

Schedule an Appointment

Call Greater Austin Pain or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment for a sports medicine consultation. Choose from one of our sports medicine treatment centers in Austin, Kyle, Dripping Springs, and San Marcos.

2

Create a Treatment Plan

At your appointment, we’ll learn more about your medical history and experience with sports injuries. We’ll then determine a treatment plan and help get you back on the path to fitness and physical wellbeing.

3

Follow Up

Once we have started you on a sports medicine treatment plan, we will want to follow up with you to gauge your progress and make any necessary changes. By tracking your progress and adapting our personalized treatment plan, we can better predict and assure a quick recovery.

Testimonials

"Dr. Jarzembeck is AMAZING. I HIGHLY recommend her for anyone suffering in pain. She goes above and beyond to make sure her patients pain has been dealt with."

Genia G.

"Everyone is so friendly and helpful, Dr. Bednar came to me and explained the procedure and answered my questions. Highly recommend!"

Maggie G.

"Dr. Julia is the best! The staff is professional and friendly to all. Best of all, Dr. Julia is finding solutions for my chronic pain! Never thought that it would be possible. It's a journey for me, but it seems like there is a solution."

Nancy M.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of epidural steroid injections?

The risk of complication from a corticosteroid injection is extremely low. Significant complications such as bleeding or infection at the injection site occur in less than one in a hundred patients. Other, more common side effect include:

Slightly numb or weak legs
Dizziness
Headaches
Localized increase in pain

These side effects typically resolve within a few hours. Please contact our office if your symptoms persist for more than 24 hours after the procedure or if you experience new or worsening symptoms.

How long does a corticosteroid injection last?

The steroid takes two to three days to start to affect most people, peaking after approximately two weeks. Consequently, it can take a while before you feel a reduction in your pain. You can expect to feel some degree of pain relief from a corticosteroid injection for about three months.

How painful is a lumbar epidural steroid injection?

Most people describe the most painful part of an ESI as a temporary stinging or burning sensation at the site of the injection. If you feel anything more than a slight pressure, an additional local anesthetic can be used.

Why would the pain be worse after an epidural steroid injection?

Although rare, some patients may experience an increase in their usual pain for several days following the procedure. This pain is generally mild and resolves itself within a few days. Epidural steroid injections are a low risk, useful, non-surgical pain relief method.

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