Sports Medicine Specialist Near Me
Sports Medicine Surgeon
Orthopedic injuries are often associated with those who are aging, whose bodies have sustained wear and tear over the period of a long life. However, there is another group of people who commonly struggle with these injuries due to how hard they push their musculoskeletal systems to work on a regular basis. Those people are athletes, and if you’ve been injured playing sports, your priority is most likely being able to get back to the activity you love as quickly as you can.
As a former associate team physician for the Baltimore Ravens, Dr. Joseph Norris knows what it means for athletes to receive truly high-quality treatment for sports-related injuries. He is highly experienced in providing knee and shoulder surgeries to athletes with the goal of returning them to full functionality. Using state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive techniques, Dr. Norris is able to create a smaller incision during your surgery, minimizing trauma to your affected tissues and resulting in a faster, less painful recovery period.
Instead of mitigating symptoms and risking further injury, Dr. Norris’s solutions are long term, and designed to help you perform at your peak even after an injury. If you’ve been injured during athletic activity, it’s important to begin developing your treatment plan as soon as possible in order to achieve the best possible outcome. Don’t delay -- if you’re ready to get back in the game, schedule your first appointment with Dr. Joseph Norris today.
Experienced Sports Orthopedic Surgeon
Sports Occupational & Knee Surgery
Our knees work hard for us on a daily basis, bearing our weight and allowing us to move from place to place. This is especially true of athletes, who put a particular amount of wear and tear on their knees as they play sports. Dr. Norris often provides surgical treatment for common sports injuries of the knee, including:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries
- Injuries to other ligaments of the knee
- Patellofemoral pain syndrome, known as runner’s knee
- Tendon tears
- Tears to the meniscus
Depending on which type of injury you’ve sustained and the severity of that injury, you may need one of a number of surgeries to achieve long-lasting pain relief and return to full functionality. Dr. Norris provides a variety of minimally-invasive surgical procedures to the knee, including: [link to each page in the list]
- Arthroscopy of the knee joint
- Unicondylar knee replacement
- Total knee replacement
- ACL/PCL reconstruction
If you believe you may be struggling with one of these injuries to your knee as a result of athletic activity, the first step is getting an accurate diagnosis from an orthopedic sports medicine expert. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Norris to receive a thorough examination, develop a treatment plan, and get back in the game as quickly and effectively as possible.
Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Shoulder Surgery for Sports-Related Injuries
Another common area where athletes sustain injuries, our shoulders work harder than we may think at first glance. Some sports, such as swimming, baseball and softball, inherently require repetitive, high-velocity overhead movement of the arm. This can easily result in injury, whether due to a single traumatic incident or wear and tear over time. Dr. Norris provides surgical treatment for a number of common sports injuries to the shoulder, including:
- SLAP tears, or torn cartilage in the shoulder joint
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Shoulder instability or impingement
- Shoulder dislocations
Depending on which type of injury you’ve sustained and the severity of that injury, you may need one of a number of surgeries to achieve long-lasting pain relief and return to full functionality. Dr. Norris provides a variety of minimally-invasive surgical procedures to the shoulder as well, including: [link to each page in the list]
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Rotator cuff surgery
- Total shoulder replacement
- Reverse shoulder joint replacement
Shoulder injuries can become worse over time as additional wear and tear is added to the original trauma, so it’s important to act quickly if you believe you’ve sustained one. The first step is getting an accurate diagnosis from an orthopedic sports medicine expert, so don’t wait to schedule an appointment with Dr. Norris. You’ll receive a thorough examination, develop a treatment plan, and get back in the game as quickly and effectively as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some other common sports injuries?
Some additional common sports injuries include:
- Ankle injuries, such as sprains, strains, fractures and Achilles tendonitis
- Hip injuries, including fractures of the femur bone, labral tears, and hip dislocations
How can I prevent sports injuries?
Some of the best preventative measures you can take to stop sports injuries from happening in the first place include:
- Strengthening your muscles using an exercise program
- Knowing your limits, not overexerting yourself
- Wearing proper equipment when you play
- Maintaining a diet that gives your muscles the nutrients they need
- Warming up and cooling down before sports
- Stretching before physical activity
- Being well rested before your sporting event
- Following the safety rules of your sport
How can I find short-term relief after a sports injury?
If you’ve been hurt playing sports, try the RICE method for quick relief:
- Rest, avoiding further injury
- Ice, to stop swelling, applied using a towel and not directly on the skin
- Compression, also to reduce swelling, using a splint or wrap
- Elevation of the injured body part, which helps reduce swelling and pain
Will I need physical therapy after a sports injury?
Most likely, yes. Physical therapy is an extremely important element of any surgical treatment, but it’s also your best bet for restoring your body to full functionality even if you dont require surgery. It’s vital to follow all of the post-treatment guidelines outlined for you by Dr. Norris in order to make the most complete, effective recovery possible.