Sports Medicine Injury

  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
  • Knee, Shoulder, Hip or Ankle Arthroscopy
  • Fracture Repair

Overview

While exercising is good for you, sports injuries are common due to either trauma or overuse of the muscles and joints. Most sports injuries are initially treated with rest and recovery and rehabilitation; however, surgery may be needed depending on the severity of the injury. The most common types of sports medicine injuries are anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction, and knee, shoulder, hip, or ankle arthroscopy.

The primary goal for the surgical treatment of your sports medicine injury is to optimize your recovery so you can return to your sport/activity as quickly as possible. It is important to talk to your doctor about what to expect before, during, and after the procedure to optimize your recovery and pain relief.

Before the Procedure

Your clinical care team, surgeon, and anesthesia provider will determine the best pain management solution specific to your post-operative plan.

Once you arrive at the hospital or surgery center, an anesthesia provider will determine which type of anesthesia is best for you and your surgery. Based on their assessment, your anesthesia provider may place a continuous nerve block catheter connected to a pain pump to extend your pain relief near the joint. The pump will allow a local anesthetic to be delivered to relieve pain near the surgical area.

Your surgeon also has the option to place the pain pump if that is their preference. With the surgeon’s placement, the catheter is inserted near the joint or surgical site during the procedure.

During the Procedure

If your anesthesia provider places your catheter, they will protect the catheter during the procedure. If your surgeon places the catheter, they will insert the catheter towards the end of the surgical procedure.

After the Procedure

Your surgeon will have discussed whether you will be admitted to the hospital after surgery or go home the same day. Pain is expected but should be tolerable. After the procedure, you will be educated on how to use your pain pump and any other pain medications.

Your First Day at Home

Follow your clinician’s instructions regarding caretaker support, diet, recovery, and rehabilitation. They will also educate you on your pain pump prior to going home.

If you have questions or need more information on your pain pump, please check out our FAQ page and Resources page or call our 24/7 nurse hotline at 1-800-444-2728.

REFERENCES

https://medlineplus.gov/sportsinjuries.html 

https://josr-online.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13018-018-0889-8