Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery in Cebu
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Get Back to the Activities You Love
Sports injuries can affect more than your ability to play a sport. Pain, swelling, weakness, and limited movement can make it difficult to exercise, work, or enjoy your daily activities.
At Dr. Chu Santos Orthopedic Care, sports medicine focuses on diagnosing and treating injuries that affect the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. Whether you are a competitive athlete, a weekend runner, or simply active in your daily life, the goal of treatment is to help restore movement, strength, stability, and function.
Dr. Charles Andrew Chu Santos provides orthopedic evaluation and treatment for a range of sports-related injuries, including knee, shoulder, and other musculoskeletal conditions. When appropriate, arthroscopic surgery and other treatment options may be considered to help address injuries and support recovery.
What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a specialized area of orthopedic care focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries and conditions affecting physically active individuals.
Sports injuries can happen during competitive sports, exercise, recreational activities, or even everyday movements. Some injuries occur suddenly, such as during a fall, collision, or sudden change in direction. Others develop gradually because of repetitive stress or overuse.
Common symptoms of a sports-related injury may include:
- Pain during activity or at rest
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Joint stiffness
- Reduced range of motion
- Muscle weakness
- Joint instability
- Popping or clicking sensations
- Difficulty putting weight on a limb
- Difficulty returning to sports or regular activities
A proper orthopedic assessment can help identify the cause of your symptoms and determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Sports Injuries We Treat
Sports injuries can affect different parts of the body and vary significantly in severity. Some injuries may improve with non-surgical treatment, while others may require more advanced intervention.
ACL Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament, commonly called the ACL, helps stabilize the knee. ACL injuries are common in sports that involve sudden stopping, pivoting, jumping, or changing direction.
A torn ACL may cause:
- A popping sensation at the time of injury
- Knee swelling
- Pain
- Difficulty walking
- A feeling that the knee is unstable
Treatment depends on factors such as the severity of the injury, activity level, age, overall health, and personal goals.
Learn more about the signs, diagnosis, and treatment options for ACL injuries in our guide: ACL Injury Symptoms and Treatment Options.
Meniscus Tears
The menisci are pieces of cartilage that help cushion and stabilize the knee. A meniscus tear may occur after twisting the knee or may develop gradually due to wear and tear.
Symptoms may include:
- Knee pain
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
- Clicking or catching
- A sensation that the knee is locking
Treatment options vary depending on the type, location, and severity of the tear.
Knee Ligament Injuries
Several ligaments help stabilize the knee. Injuries to these structures can occur during sports, falls, collisions, or sudden twisting movements.
Depending on the affected ligament and the severity of the injury, treatment may include rest, rehabilitation, bracing, activity modification, or surgery.
Hamstring Injuries
The hamstring muscles are located at the back of the thigh and are commonly affected by sprinting, jumping, or sudden acceleration.
A hamstring injury may cause:
- Sudden pain at the back of the thigh
- Tenderness
- Swelling or bruising
- Muscle weakness
- Difficulty walking or running
The severity of the injury helps determine the appropriate treatment and recovery plan.
Jumper’s Knee
Jumper’s knee, also known as patellar tendinopathy, affects the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shinbone. It is often associated with repetitive jumping and activities that place repeated stress on the knee.
Symptoms may include pain below the kneecap, particularly during jumping, running, squatting, or climbing stairs.
Early evaluation may help prevent symptoms from continuing to interfere with physical activity.
Sports-Related Shoulder Injuries
The shoulder is highly mobile, which also makes it vulnerable to certain sports injuries.
Sports-related shoulder conditions may include:
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder instability
- Labral injuries
- Dislocations
- Overuse-related pain
Shoulder pain that continues or repeatedly returns should be evaluated, especially if it affects strength, range of motion, or the ability to participate in sports and daily activities.
For more information about shoulder, hip, and knee conditions, you can also explore our Shoulder, Hip and Knee Surgery service page.
Cartilage Injuries
Cartilage helps protect the surfaces of joints and allows smooth movement. Damage to cartilage may occur because of injury, repetitive stress, or gradual wear.
Cartilage injuries may cause pain, swelling, stiffness, catching, or reduced joint function. Treatment depends on the affected joint and the extent of the injury.
When Should You See an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Doctor?
You may benefit from an orthopedic evaluation if you experience:
- Pain that does not improve with rest
- Persistent swelling after an injury
- Repeated joint instability
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight
- A joint that locks, catches, or gives way
- Reduced range of motion
- A suspected ligament, tendon, or cartilage injury
- Pain that prevents you from exercising or playing sports
- An injury that continues to affect your daily activities
You do not necessarily need to wait until your symptoms become severe before seeking an evaluation. Early assessment can help identify the underlying problem and guide appropriate treatment.
How Are Sports Injuries Evaluated?
An orthopedic evaluation typically begins with a discussion about your symptoms, how the injury occurred, your activity level, and how the condition affects your daily life or sports participation.
A physical examination may then be performed to assess:
- Pain and tenderness
- Joint stability
- Range of motion
- Muscle strength
- Swelling
- Movement patterns
Depending on the condition, imaging tests may also be recommended to provide additional information about the bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, cartilage, or other structures.
The goal is to understand the injury and create a treatment plan appropriate for your condition and goals.
Sports Injury Treatment Options
Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Not every sports injury requires surgery.
Depending on your condition, treatment may include:
Non-Surgical Treatments
Some injuries may be managed with:
- Activity modification
- Rest and recovery
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Bracing or other supportive measures
- Medication when appropriate
The specific treatment plan depends on the diagnosis and individual circumstances.
Arthroscopic Surgery
When surgery is appropriate, arthroscopic procedures may be considered for certain joint conditions and injuries.
Arthroscopy uses a small camera called an arthroscope to allow the surgeon to view the inside of a joint through small incisions. Specialized instruments may then be used to address certain problems.
Arthroscopic procedures may be used to evaluate or treat selected conditions affecting joints such as the knee and shoulder.
The suitability of arthroscopic surgery depends on factors such as the type of injury, its severity, the affected joint, and the patient’s overall condition.
Injection Therapies
In selected cases, injections may help reduce pain and inflammation.
Options include:
- Corticosteroid injections
- Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid injections)
Your orthopedic specialist can determine whether these treatments are appropriate for your condition.
Surgical Treatment
Some serious or complex injuries may require surgical treatment to restore stability or function. The recommended approach depends on the specific injury and the patient’s individual needs.
A consultation can help determine which treatment options may be appropriate.
What Is Arthroscopic Surgery?
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to examine and treat certain joint problems.
During the procedure, a small camera is inserted into the joint through a small incision. The camera allows the surgeon to examine the internal structures of the joint. Additional small incisions may be used for specialized surgical instruments when treatment is needed.
Arthroscopy may be used for selected conditions involving:
- The knee
- The shoulder
- Other joints, depending on the condition
Potential advantages of minimally invasive techniques may include smaller incisions compared with some traditional surgical approaches. However, recovery varies depending on the procedure, the injury being treated, and the patient’s overall health.
Your orthopedic surgeon can explain whether arthroscopic surgery may be appropriate for your condition.
A Personalized Approach to Sports Injury Care
No two injuries are exactly the same.
A recreational athlete with a minor overuse injury may require a very different treatment approach from a competitive athlete with a serious ligament injury. Treatment decisions may also depend on your age, activity level, overall health, injury severity, and personal goals.
At Dr. Chu Santos Orthopedic Care, the goal is to evaluate your condition carefully and help you understand your treatment options.
Whether your goal is to return to sports, exercise comfortably, resume work, or move through daily life with less pain, an individualized treatment plan can help guide the next steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
A sports medicine doctor may evaluate and treat injuries and conditions affecting the muscles, bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. These may include sports injuries, overuse injuries, ligament injuries, tendon problems, cartilage injuries, and other orthopedic conditions.
No. The appropriate treatment for an ACL tear depends on several factors, including the severity of the injury, knee stability, activity level, other injuries, and personal goals. An orthopedic evaluation is needed to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.
Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a small camera and specialized instruments to examine and, when appropriate, treat certain problems inside a joint.
No. Arthroscopic surgery is not appropriate for every injury. The recommended treatment depends on the type, location, and severity of the condition, as well as the patient's overall health and goals.
Recovery time varies depending on the joint treated, the specific procedure performed, the severity of the condition, and the patient's individual healing process. Your orthopedic surgeon can provide more specific guidance based on your procedure.
Many people are able to return to physical activity after appropriate treatment and rehabilitation. The timing depends on the type and severity of the injury and the recovery process. Returning to sports too quickly may increase the risk of further injury.
Consider seeking an orthopedic evaluation if you have persistent pain, swelling, instability, reduced movement, difficulty bearing weight, or symptoms that prevent you from returning to your usual activities.
Get Expert Evaluation for Your Sports Injury
Persistent pain or instability should not always be ignored, especially when it affects your ability to move, exercise, work, or participate in sports.
If you are looking for a sports medicine doctor in Cebu or need evaluation for a sports-related injury, Dr. Chu Santos Orthopedic Care can help assess your condition and discuss appropriate treatment options.
Schedule an appointment with Dr. Charles Andrew Chu Santos to take the next step toward understanding your injury and treatment options.
Experiencing an injury that keeps you from the activities you enjoy?
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In This Article
- Introduction
- What is Sports Medicine?
- Sports Injuries We Treat
- When Should You See an Orthopedic Sports Medicine Doctor?
- How Are Sports Injuries Evaluated?
- Sports Injury Treatment Options
- What Is Arthroscopic Surgery?
- A Personalized Approach to Sports Injury Care
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Get Expert Evaluation for Your Sports Injury
Experiencing an injury that keeps you from the activities you enjoy?
Dr. Charles Andrew Chu Santos MD, FPOA
Need an appointment or have questions? Get in touch with Dr. Charles Andrew Chu Santos and visit the clinic during operating hours. Your orthopedic health is our priority.
Clinic Hours
Tuesday & Friday
9am – 4pm
Thursday & Saturday
9am – 1pm