Often, serious athletes only see an orthopedic doctor after they have suffered an injury, such as a torn tendon or a broken bone. But did you know that orthopedic doctors also tend to offer preventative care services? If you want to stay at the top of your game and avoid injury as an athlete, it's a good idea to take advantage of some of these services. 

Orthotic Inserts

Some people are fortunate to be built in such a way that they land squarely on each foot with every stride. But most people, even serious athletes, are not this lucky. They may overpronate, or roll their ankle too far inward with each stride. Or, they may underpronate, stepping too heavily on the outside of their feet. Over time, this can lead to injuries due to heavy running and training putting excessive strain on certain anatomical features of the feet and legs.

An orthopedist can watch you walk and run, take a look at your anatomy, and design custom orthotic inserts to help balance your stride. This will ensure the concussion is spread evenly throughout your joints, reducing your risk of overuse injuries. 

Cortisone Injections

If you have any areas that are sore but not yet fully injured, your orthopedic doctor may inject those areas with cortisone. Since cortisone is a steroid hormone, it can help ease the inflammation that is causing your soreness before it develops into a full-blown injury. Some athletes are prone to injuries in certain areas. For example, you may develop Achilles tendinitis again and again. In cases like this, preventative cortisone injections can help keep you from developing the same injuries again.

Stretching Recommendations

Stretching is important for injury prevention, but even as a serious athlete, you may not know which areas are most important for you to stretch. It often depends not only on the sport you participate in but also on your own anatomy. An orthopedist can give you some recommendations in this regard. They may notice you're moving in a certain way and recommend more hamstring stretches, for instance. Or, they may tell you they see a lot of torn biceps in your sport and recommend stretching your arms more.

It's often a good idea to see an orthopedic doctor before you suffer a serious injury. They can give you some preventative care treatments and advice that may help prolong your career and keep you off the bench.

Reach out to a sports medicine clinic for more information.