Sports Medicine

Sports Injuries & Concussion Care

Our team of sports medicine specialists, including orthopedic surgeons, nonoperative sports medicine practitioners, neurologists, physical therapists, and certified athletic trainers, provide high-level sports medicine, concussion, and post-concussion syndrome care at our local hospitals. We also support athletes at Hartwick College, SUNY Oneonta, SUNY Cobleskill, SUNY Delhi, and at over a dozen area high schools.

Common Sports Injuries

Some of the main causes of sports injuries are collisions, falls, overuse and repetitive motions, lack of proper training or rest, improper gear, age, normal wear and tear, or early onset arthritis or tendonitis. The most common injuries we treat include ACL, meniscus, Achilles tendon, and rotator cuff tears, sprained and strains, dislocations, and broken bones. 

Learn more about the injuries that can affect different parts of the body, and our treatment options for these injuries:

• Knee, including ACL and meniscus tears
• Hand & wrist, including sprained thumbs and wrists
• Foot & ankle, including Achilles tendon tears and sprains
• Spine & back, including slipped discs and pinched nerves
• Neck, including whiplash and pinched nerves
• Shoulder, including rotator cuff tears and shoulder instability
• Elbow, including tennis elbow
• Hip, including labral tears and dislocations
• Bone fractures

Concussion Symptoms

Falls, motor vehicle accidents, forceful collisions, and sports injuries are the most common causes of concussions. Visit the nearest emergency room if you or a loved one is showing any of the following signs of a concussion immediately following a head injury:

• Headaches that get worse and don't go away
• Severe nausea or vomiting
• One pupil larger than the other
• Numbness, weakness, or loss of coordination
• Slurred speech, unusual behavior, or confusion
• Seizures
• Drowsiness or inability to wake up
• Loss of consciousness

Other concussion symptoms may take hours or days after the injury to present themselves, and can indicate post-concussion syndrome. These symptoms include light/noise-sensitivity, taste/smell disorders, irritability or other changes in personality, depression, trouble concentrating or recalling memories, or problems sleeping.

Diagnosis of Common Sports Injuries

Our orthopedic specialists may begin by ordering specific imaging or diagnostic tests for your injury, including X-rays, MRIs, CT scans, and joint aspiration.

They will also review your medical history, ask about your daily activities, ask about the events surrounding the injury, and perform a detailed examination to determine which treatment plan will work best for you.

Non-surgical Treatments

Depending on your diagnosis, our sports medicine specialists usually begin with conservative treatment options that don’t require surgery. Non-surgical options include: 

• Oral anti-inflammatory medication
• Injection therapy
• Physical therapy
• Orthobiologics, or naturally occurring substances that can be used in higher concentrations to quicken the healing process for broken bones, or injured muscles or tendons
• Osteopathic therapy, in which a specialist manipulates your muscles and joints using stretching, gentle pressure and/or resistance to improve your structure and function

Surgical Treatments

Surgical options vary greatly based on your specific injury, but can include:

• Arthroscopic surgery
• Ligament or tendon repair
• Ligament reconstruction
• Cartilage treatment
• Realignment procedures
• Fracture fixation
• Insertion of surgical pins, rods, and or screws to set broken bones and promote healing

Schedule an Appointment for an Examination

If you’re experiencing pain from a sports injury, call our team at (607) 547-3652 to schedule an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. If you believe that you or a loved one is suffering from a concussion or broken bone, visit your nearest emergency room immediately.

Bassett Healthcare Network provides comprehensive sports medicine treatments throughout Central New York, including Cooperstown, Little Falls, Delhi, Herkimer, and Oneonta. Physical therapy is offered in Oneonta at Bassett Oneonta Specialty Services, and in Cooperstown at the Clarks Sports Center. We also offer sports medicine services at our school-based health centers.