Sports injuries are acute (sudden) or chronic (gradual) injuries that result from any physical activity or exercise. They’re caused by accident or trauma, repetitive movements or overuse, faulty equipment, improper warm-up, or improper training.

Sports injuries include strains and sprains to the muscles, tendons and ligaments, bone fractures, contusions (bruises), and dislocations (joint separations) that cause:

• Knee pain: ACL injury, meniscus tear, or patellar (knee cap) injuries
• Shoulder pain: rotator cuff injury or dislocation
• Elbow pain: bursitis, golfer’s elbow, or UCL sprain
• Hip pain: hip flexor, muscle contusion, or piriformis syndrome
• Back pain: weight lifters back

When you have a sports injury, you need an expert rehabilitation team to get you back in action quickly and safely. We’re here when and where you need us with a variety of inpatient (hospital stay) and outpatient (clinic) rehabilitation services at locations close to home. Schedule an appointment with one of our University of Miami Health System physiatrists (physical medicine and rehabilitation doctors) today.

Tests

Discography
During this test, you will receive an injection of saline into your disc(s) under image-guidance, either using CT or fluoroscopy (dynamic X-ray) technology. This is done to provoke any pain and/or abnormal response. It can show abnormal nerve pathways generating pain inside the injured/degenerated disc.

Electrodiagnostics
Electroneurophysiological testing is done with current and electrodes to determine nerve and muscle function/dysfunction and damage. Tests include electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS).

Treatments

Neurostimulation
Neurostimulation, also called electrical stimulation, uses low-voltage electricity to stop the nerve impulses that cause pain. Examples include transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS), applied on the skin over nerve endings, and spinal cord stimulation (SCS), which is inserted under the skin.

Interventional spine procedures
These procedures use image-guided technology to deliver steroids and medications right to the pain source. Selective epidural injections, cervical facet injections, cervical selective nerve blocks, and discograms reduce pain and inflammation in the neck. This treatment is usually prescribed with physical therapy or exercise.

Ultrasound-guided injections
Ultrasound imaging allows doctors to view nerves, bones, tendons, and muscles. Combining this technology with injection therapy means we can deliver medicines to the exact trigger point to relieve pain and inflammation. Steroids and platelet-rich plasma injections are commonly used to treat neuromusculoskeletal pain.

Radiofrequency ablation
Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive procedure that uses heat from radio waves to damage nerve tissues, disrupting their ability to send pain signals. This is performed on the facet joints in the spine.

Why Choose UHealth?

Official medical provider for national sports teams. Our sports medicine team treats athletes from the University of Miami, Miami Marlins, and the U.S. Sailing Team. Your care comes from one of the most trusted and experienced sports injury rehabilitation providers in South Florida.

Multispecialty care teams and experts in the field of sports medicine. Our rehabilitation team works closely with orthopedic specialists and surgeons, concussion specialists, and many others to customize your treatment plan. You get a faster diagnosis and better care when we’re all working together for you.

Leading-edge non-surgical and minimally invasive therapies for pain. You have access to the latest approaches to managing pain, including neurostimulation and neuromusculoskeletal ultrasound-guided injections, all in one place.