Sports Injury Doctor in Surat

Sports injuries affect athletes of all levels — from recreational weekend players to competitive cricketers and footballers. The injuries below are assessed and managed at both OPD locations.

Knee injuries

• ACL tear & instability — the anterior cruciate ligament is commonly torn during sudden pivoting or landing movements. Depending on age, activity level and instability, management ranges from structured physiotherapy to arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.
• Meniscus tears — the meniscus is the cartilage cushion inside the knee. Tears may be repaired (sutured back) or trimmed arthroscopically, depending on tear location, size and tissue quality.
• Cartilage damage — articular cartilage injuries are assessed arthroscopically; treatment options depend on the size and depth of the lesion and the patient's age and activity demands.

Shoulder injuries

• Rotator cuff tears — the four rotator cuff tendons stabilise and power the shoulder. Partial and full-thickness tears are assessed by examination and MRI; surgical repair is considered when symptoms persist despite conservative management.
• Shoulder instability & dislocation — repeated dislocations or a feeling of the shoulder slipping are commonly due to a labral (Bankart) tear. Arthroscopic stabilisation is an option for patients with recurrent instability.
• Labral tears — the glenoid labrum can tear from a dislocation or overhead loading. Arthroscopic labral repair restores the rim of the socket and the stabilising function of the capsuloligamentous complex.

Other common sports injuries

• Ankle ligament injuries — lateral ankle sprains are among the most frequent sports injuries. Ligament and tendon injuries are assessed and managed surgically or non-surgically as needed — the approach depends on severity and clinical assessment.
• Muscle & tendon injuries — hamstring strains, quadriceps tears and patellar tendon injuries are assessed and managed with a structured return-to-sport rehabilitation plan, with surgical intervention considered where conservative management fails.
• Loose bodies — fragments of bone or cartilage that float within the joint and cause locking or catching can be removed arthroscopically.

The steps taken immediately after a sports injury can influence recovery. In the first 48 hours:

• Stop the activity — continuing to play through significant pain risks converting a manageable injury into a more complex one.
• Ice and compression — applying an ice pack (wrapped in cloth, not directly on skin) and a compression bandage reduces acute swelling. Avoid heat in the first 48 hours.
• Elevate the limb — keeping the injured limb raised above heart level when resting helps limit swelling.
• Avoid weight-bearing if painful — limping to compensate can strain other structures. Use crutches if walking is painful.
• Seek assessment promptly — a clinical and imaging assessment is the only reliable way to know the extent of the injury. Do not self-diagnose or delay if the joint feels unstable, locks, or will not bear weight.

For a detailed guide on the first 48 hours after common sports injuries, read: Sports injury — what to do in the first 48 hours.

Most sports injuries can be assessed in a routine OPD visit within a few days. Some signs mean you should not wait — go to an emergency department or contact a doctor the same day:

• Visible deformity — the limb or joint looks out of position, or there is an obvious bone injury.
• Cannot bear any weight — complete inability to put weight on the injured leg, or to use the injured arm at all.
• Numbness, tingling, or a cold/pale limb — possible sign of nerve or blood-vessel involvement, which needs urgent assessment.
• The joint locks or gives way repeatedly — a knee or shoulder that catches, locks, or buckles suggests a mechanical injury (such as a displaced meniscus tear or recurrent dislocation) that benefits from earlier rather than later evaluation.
• Rapid, significant swelling — a joint that swells substantially within minutes to hours of injury (suggesting bleeding inside the joint) warrants prompt assessment.

If your symptoms are milder — soreness, mild swelling, discomfort with specific movements — the first-48-hours guidance above is the right starting point, followed by an OPD consultation if things haven't settled within a few days.