Sports injuries can range from minor to devastating; however, even if you feel like that can go on and keep working through an injury, you should still have it looked at by a doctor. These kinds of injuries can occur at any age, and affect both professional and amateur athletes. Whether you were injured or high school or college — or even in the professional realm — you shouldn’t have to put up with chronic pain or limited mobility. Taking care of yourself means seeking the best possible solutions for your specific sports injuries. Luckily, modern sports medicine offers a variety of different options for many different types of injuries. If you’ve been experiencing pain for days or months or even years, there are answers available.

Shoulder Injuries

Shoulder injuries are, unfortunately, extremely common among athletes of all levels. In fact, they’re the fifth most common category of sports injuries among high school athletes. 2006 alone saw 7.5 million people go to their doctor for shoulder injuries including upper arm strains and sprains. It’s easy to dismiss a shoulder injury initially, because they often don’t come in the form of fractures and can at times take a while to really show severe effects. But they’re serious sports injuries, and will only grow worse with time and a lack of proper care. As your shoulder is a part of your body you constantly move and flex, you should see a doctor as soon as you notice the injury. Often, shoulder injuries are linked to muscle injuries rather than bone injuries. In that case, they can at times be treated through physical therapy. Certain severities, however, require surgery. In that case, you shouldn’t be afraid — while surgery can force an athlete to take some time off, a permanent, unhealed injury will have far greater consequences.

Hip And Knee Injuries

If you’re concerned about a hip or knee injury, it would be advisable to talk to an orthopedic surgeon. Consulting with an orthopaedics specialist doesn’t mean that you’re bound for surgery; it’s simply something to take into mind. Any surgery is intimidating, and hip and knee surgeries are no exception. However, many positive results can be found in the results given. Among the most common hip and knee surgeries are hip and knee replacements. These surgeries are typically associated with elderly, but in recent years have become nearly as common among former athletes as ACL surgery. Within the past decade, the number of knee replacements performed in the United States a year has doubled to 600,000. It’s true that these artificial knees don’t last forever, as a constant strain is being put on the knee merely through walking. However, they typically last for 15 to 20 years, after which you’ll be given another replacement. They provide a wider range of mobility than a damaged knee, and more comfort. Hip replacements are also becoming increasingly commonplace, with 2.5 million Americans having undergone the surgery according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. In the United States, there are 1.5 times more people living with hip or knee replacements than there are people living with heart failure. If this happens to you, just know that you’re not alone. With the right doctor, you’ll find that treatment will have you feeling better sooner than you’d expect.

It’s important not to rush into any particular treatment. Take your time and find a doctor that you are comfortable with, offering multiple options if possible. At the same time, the worst thing you could do is not take any action at all and allow your injury to worsen. It’s true that going to the doctor and acknowledging that something is wrong can be frightening. But it’s the first step in the right direction — and the road to recovery.