Common Sports Injuries We Treat
A sudden twist during a game, pain that develops while running, or a knee that starts giving way after an injury can affect more than your sporting performance. Sports injuries can involve muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and bones, and the right treatment depends on identifying which structures are affected. At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic in Margao, Dr. Amol Narkhede, a senior orthopaedic surgeon with over 16 years of experience, evaluates sports-related injuries and explains the available treatment options, from non-surgical management to procedures such as arthroscopy when indicated.
Sports injuries can happen during contact sports, running, gym workouts, racquet sports, cycling and everyday recreational activities. Some occur suddenly, while others develop gradually through repeated stress.
The sections below cover ACL tears, meniscus injuries, PCL, MCL and LCL injuries, tennis elbow and plantar fasciitis in more detail.
Ankle sprains and ligament injuries
An ankle sprain commonly occurs when the foot rolls unexpectedly, stretching or tearing the ligaments supporting the joint.
Pain, swelling, bruising and difficulty walking are common. More severe injuries may cause persistent instability or symptoms that resemble a fracture, so an appropriate assessment may be needed.
Muscle strains and tendon injuries
Sudden acceleration, sprinting, jumping or lifting can strain a muscle or tendon. Hamstring, calf and groin injuries are common examples.
Patients may notice a sharp pulling pain, tenderness, weakness, swelling or difficulty contracting the affected muscle. Some tendon injuries are more serious and may require specialist assessment and a structured rehabilitation plan.
Shoulder injuries
Falls, collisions, throwing and repetitive overhead movements can injure the shoulder. Problems may involve the rotator cuff, tendons, ligaments or the joint itself.
Symptoms can include pain when lifting the arm, weakness, restricted movement or discomfort when sleeping on the affected side. Persistent symptoms should be evaluated to determine whether the problem requires rehabilitation, further investigation or another treatment.
See Shoulder Pain Treatment for how shoulder problems are assessed and treated.
Elbow injuries and tennis elbow
Repetitive gripping and wrist movements can overload the tendons around the elbow. Tennis elbow, for example, often causes pain on the outer side of the elbow when gripping, lifting or extending the wrist.
Despite its name, it can affect people who do not play tennis. Treatment depends on the severity and duration of symptoms and may include activity modification and rehabilitation.
Tennis elbow is covered in more detail below.
Overuse injuries
Not every sports injury follows a single accident. Increasing training intensity too quickly, repeating the same movement or allowing insufficient recovery between sessions can cause persistent tendon pain, joint irritation or stress injuries to bone.
Pain that repeatedly returns during exercise should not automatically be dismissed as ordinary muscle soreness. Early assessment may help identify the cause and guide a safer return to activity.
Sports-related fractures
A fall, collision or awkward landing during sport can also break a bone. A suspected fracture needs an appropriate assessment, usually including an X-ray. See Fracture and Trauma Care for how fractures are assessed and treated.
ACL Tear Treatment
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilise the knee, particularly during turning, pivoting and landing movements. It can tear when you change direction suddenly, land awkwardly from a jump or sustain a collision.
You may experience a popping sensation, swelling, difficulty continuing the activity or a feeling that your knee is unstable. Some patients notice repeated episodes of the knee giving way when attempting to return to sport.
Treatment depends on the severity of the injury, associated damage and your activity goals. Read more about ACL Tear Treatment, including diagnosis, treatment options and recovery.
Meniscus Injuries
The meniscus is a piece of cartilage that helps distribute load and absorb shock within the knee. A sudden twist or pivot can tear it, particularly during sports involving rapid direction changes.
Symptoms may include pain along the joint line, swelling, catching, difficulty bending the knee or a sensation that the knee locks. Not every meniscus tear requires surgery, and treatment depends on the tear pattern, symptoms and associated injuries.
Where surgery is appropriate, some meniscus problems are treated arthroscopically. See Arthroscopy Surgery.
Other Knee Ligament Injuries: PCL, MCL and LCL
Besides the ACL, three other ligaments help hold the knee stable. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) runs inside the knee behind the ACL and stops the shin bone sliding backwards. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) run along the inner and outer sides of the knee and resist sideways bending.
These ligaments can be injured in different ways. A PCL injury may follow a direct blow to the front of the shin, such as a fall onto a bent knee or a dashboard injury in a road accident. MCL injuries often follow a blow or force to the outer side of the knee, while LCL injuries can follow force from the inner side. Ligament injuries can also occur together, or alongside meniscus damage.
Symptoms may include pain on the affected side of the knee, swelling, tenderness and a feeling that the knee is loose or unstable. The appropriate treatment depends on which ligament is injured, how severe the injury is and whether other structures are involved, so these injuries are assessed and managed separately from an ACL tear.
Tennis Elbow Treatment
Pain on the outside of your elbow that gets worse when gripping, lifting, twisting your wrist, or using your hand repeatedly may be tennis elbow. Despite its name, you do not have to play tennis to develop it. Repetitive work, manual activities, gym exercises, computer use, gardening, and other activities that repeatedly load the forearm can all contribute to the condition.
At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, Dr. Amol Narkhede evaluates persistent elbow pain to determine whether it is consistent with tennis elbow or another condition that may require a different approach to treatment.
What Is Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral elbow tendinopathy, causes pain and tenderness around the outside of the elbow where the forearm muscles and tendons attach to the bone. It commonly develops when the tendons are repeatedly loaded through gripping, lifting, twisting, or other repetitive movements.
The name can be misleading. Tennis and other racket sports can cause the condition, but many people develop tennis elbow through everyday work or activities that place repeated stress on the wrist and forearm.
Read more about tennis elbow: causes, symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
What Causes Tennis Elbow?
Tennis elbow can develop when the forearm is subjected to repeated or increased loading, particularly activities involving gripping and twisting.
Common triggers include:
- Repetitive gripping or lifting
- Using hand tools or machinery
- Gardening and DIY work
- Repeated wrist movements
- Typing or prolonged computer use
- Sewing and other fine hand movements
- Gym or fitness activities that repeatedly load the forearm
- Tennis, badminton and other racket sports
- Throwing activities such as cricket
A sudden increase in an activity can also trigger symptoms, particularly if the muscles and tendons are not accustomed to the additional workload.
Symptoms of Tennis Elbow
The most common symptom is pain or tenderness on the outside of the elbow. The discomfort may sometimes extend down the forearm.
You may notice:
- Pain when gripping objects
- Pain when lifting something such as a bag, bottle or kettle
- Pain when turning a door handle or opening a jar
- Pain during repeated wrist movements
- Tenderness when pressing around the outside of the elbow
- Weakness when gripping
- Stiffness around the elbow
- Difficulty fully straightening the arm
- Pain that becomes more noticeable after repetitive activity
Symptoms can range from mild discomfort during certain movements to more persistent pain that interferes with everyday activities.
How Is Tennis Elbow Diagnosed?
A clinical assessment is usually the starting point. Dr. Narkhede can assess where the pain is located, how the elbow and wrist move, which activities reproduce the symptoms, and whether the pattern is consistent with tennis elbow.
This is important because pain around the elbow can have several possible causes. A proper examination helps determine whether the symptoms are coming from the tendon or whether another condition needs to be considered.
Imaging is not automatically necessary for every case of tennis elbow. Where appropriate, further investigations may be considered to evaluate another suspected problem or provide additional information about the affected structures.
Tennis Elbow Treatment
Most cases of tennis elbow can initially be managed without surgery. Improvement may take several weeks or months, particularly when symptoms have been present for a long time.
Treatment is tailored to the severity of symptoms, the activities causing the problem, and how the elbow responds to conservative care.
Activity Modification
Reducing or modifying activities that repeatedly aggravate the elbow can help reduce stress on the affected tendon.
This does not necessarily mean completely stopping all use of the arm. Where possible, activities can be adjusted to reduce painful gripping, lifting or twisting while maintaining appropriate movement.
Pain Relief
Pain-relieving medication or topical treatments may be considered when appropriate. The choice depends on the individual patient’s health, other medications and the nature of their symptoms.
Patients should discuss medication options with their doctor or pharmacist, particularly if they have other medical conditions or regularly take other medicines.
Physiotherapy and Exercise
Progressive rehabilitation can help restore strength and improve the ability of the forearm muscles and tendons to tolerate normal activity.
Depending on the individual, rehabilitation may include:
- Gentle stretching
- Forearm strengthening
- Progressive tendon loading
- Grip and wrist exercises
- Gradual return to work, sport and other activities
Exercise-based rehabilitation is an important part of conservative management for tennis elbow.
Elbow Supports
A forearm strap, elbow support or wrist brace may sometimes be recommended to reduce stress on the affected area during particular activities. These supports are generally used as part of a broader treatment plan rather than as a replacement for rehabilitation.
Injections
Injections may be considered in selected situations, but they are not automatically required for tennis elbow.
In particular, corticosteroid injections can provide short-term pain relief but may have less favourable longer-term outcomes in some patients. Their role should therefore be considered carefully alongside other treatment options.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely the first treatment for tennis elbow. It may be considered in persistent cases where symptoms continue despite an appropriate course of non-surgical treatment.
The decision depends on the duration and severity of symptoms, the effect on daily activities, the findings of the clinical assessment, and the response to previous treatment.
When Should You See an Orthopaedic Specialist?
It is worth arranging an assessment if your elbow pain:
- Has continued despite reducing aggravating activities
- Is interfering with work or everyday activities
- Makes gripping or lifting difficult
- Is becoming more frequent or severe
- Keeps returning
- Has not improved with appropriate conservative care
- Started after a significant injury
- Is accompanied by symptoms that do not fit the usual pattern of tennis elbow
Persistent elbow pain does not necessarily mean that surgery is required. An assessment can help establish the cause and determine whether continued conservative treatment, rehabilitation or another approach is appropriate.
Tennis Elbow at Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic
At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, patients can arrange an orthopaedic consultation with Dr. Amol Narkhede for persistent elbow pain.
The assessment focuses on understanding your symptoms, identifying the likely cause of the pain, and deciding which treatment approach is appropriate for your condition. Where conservative treatment is suitable, the aim is to manage symptoms and progressively restore normal use of the arm before considering more invasive options.
For an appointment or to discuss your symptoms, call Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic or contact the clinic through WhatsApp.
Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
Pain underneath your heel or along the arch of your foot can make the first few steps in the morning surprisingly painful. If the pain becomes worse when you stand or walk for long periods, or keeps returning despite rest and changes in footwear, it may be related to plantar fasciitis.
Plantar fasciitis is a foot and heel condition that is not limited to sport. Our plantar fasciitis and heel pain page covers its symptoms, causes and treatment, and how assessment with Dr. Amol Narkhede and physiotherapy with Dr. Rucha Narkhede work together.
How Dr. Amol Narkhede Evaluates a Sports Injury
At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, the assessment begins with understanding how the injury occurred and what you have experienced since then.
Dr. Amol Narkhede takes time to listen to your account of the injury and asks questions tailored to the affected area. He may ask whether the pain started suddenly or gradually, whether you heard or felt a pop, how quickly swelling developed and whether you can bear weight or use the joint normally.
Your sporting activity, training demands, previous injuries and everyday functional limitations can also help establish what the assessment needs to address.
Physical examination
Depending on the injury, the examination may involve checking tenderness, swelling, joint movement, muscle strength, stability and sensation. Dr. Narkhede may ask you to move the affected joint in particular ways or perform specific clinical manoeuvres to assess the structures involved.
The examination differs between injuries. A suspected ACL tear requires a different assessment from tennis elbow, an ankle sprain or a shoulder tendon injury.
Digital X-rays and further investigations
Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic has digital radiography X-ray facilities on the same floor as the consultation rooms. When an X-ray is indicated, imaging can be obtained at the clinic rather than requiring a separate trip to an imaging centre.
X-rays help identify fractures and assess bones and joint alignment. However, they do not show every ligament, tendon or cartilage injury.
An MRI may be recommended when the examination suggests damage to structures such as the ACL, meniscus or rotator cuff and additional information is needed to guide treatment. Other investigations may be considered according to the suspected injury.
Dr. Narkhede reviews the findings alongside your symptoms and explains the likely diagnosis and treatment options.
Sports Injury Treatment and Rehabilitation
The appropriate treatment depends on the injured structure, the severity of the damage, your symptoms and your functional goals. Many sports injuries can be managed without an operation, while some require surgical treatment to restore stability or function.
Activity modification and initial management
For selected minor injuries, temporarily stopping the activity that caused the problem and protecting the injured area can help control symptoms.
Depending on the injury, short-term measures may include cold packs, suitable support and gradual movement as advised by a healthcare professional. Avoid returning to play simply because the pain has temporarily improved.
Medication
Medication may be considered to help manage pain and inflammation where appropriate. The choice depends on your medical history, other medicines and the type of injury.
Medication does not repair a torn ligament or automatically make a joint safe for sport. The underlying injury and recovery plan still need to be addressed.
Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
Physiotherapy can help restore movement, strength, balance, coordination and confidence following many sports injuries.
At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, Dr. Rucha Narkhede practises physiotherapy independently at the same clinic. Where appropriate, patients can enquire about rehabilitation at the same location.
A rehabilitation programme may involve progressive exercises, movement training and strengthening tailored to the injury. Returning to sport should depend on functional recovery and clinical guidance, rather than pain levels alone.
Arthroscopy surgery
Arthroscopy is a surgical technique that uses a small camera and specialised instruments inserted through small incisions to examine and treat certain joint problems.
Depending on the injury, arthroscopy may be used for procedures involving the knee or shoulder, including selected meniscus and ligament-related problems. It is not required for every sports injury, and some conditions are better managed with other treatments.
Dr. Narkhede has reported experience of more than 2,000 knee arthroscopies. Whether an arthroscopic procedure is appropriate depends on the specific diagnosis and the expected benefits.
Explore Arthroscopy Surgery for more information.
ACL reconstruction and other surgical procedures
Some injuries, including selected ACL tears, may require reconstructive surgery when instability persists or the patient’s activities place substantial demands on the joint. Associated meniscus, cartilage or ligament damage can also influence the decision.
Surgery is not automatically necessary for every ACL tear. The decision considers knee stability, associated injuries, activity goals and the likely outcomes of non-surgical management.
The procedure, rehabilitation requirements, risks and realistic return-to-sport expectations should be discussed before surgery is planned.
When Should You See an Orthopaedic Doctor for a Sports Injury?
Not every sports injury requires surgery or even a specialist consultation. However, pain that persists, significant swelling, restricted movement or a joint that feels unstable may indicate an injury that needs more than rest.
Consider an orthopaedic assessment if you experience:
- Knee pain after twisting, pivoting or landing awkwardly.
- A popping sensation followed by swelling or difficulty using the joint.
- An ankle that repeatedly rolls or feels unstable.
- Shoulder pain after a fall, collision or overhead movement.
- Elbow pain that interferes with gripping, lifting or playing tennis.
- Muscle pain that persists or returns whenever you resume exercise.
- A knee that locks, catches or gives way.
- Difficulty putting weight on an injured leg.
- Pain that continues despite reducing your activity.
- Repeated injuries affecting the same joint or muscle.
An assessment can help distinguish a minor strain from a more significant ligament tear, tendon injury, fracture or joint problem.
If you have an obvious deformity, an open wound over a suspected fracture, severe pain, a cold or discoloured limb, or new numbness after an injury, seek emergency medical care. Do not continue playing or attempt to force the injured joint back into position.
Early assessment does not mean you will need surgery. It helps establish the nature of the injury and whether conservative treatment, rehabilitation, imaging or a surgical opinion is appropriate.
Your Care Journey at Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic
For a non-emergency sports injury, contact Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic by phone or WhatsApp to enquire about a consultation with Dr. Amol Narkhede.
During the appointment, he listens to your concerns, asks questions about the injury and examines the affected area. If an X-ray is required and appropriate for your situation, digital radiography is available on the same floor as the consultation rooms.
He then explains the findings and discusses the next steps. Depending on the injury, these may include activity modification, medication, further imaging, physiotherapy or surgical assessment.
If rehabilitation is recommended, Dr. Rucha Narkhede provides physiotherapy independently at the same clinic. She can demonstrate exercises and guide patients through the prescribed movements. Patients may also request a video on their own phone to help them remember the demonstrated exercise technique.
For patients who require surgery, the procedure takes place at an appropriate hospital or surgical facility. Hospital arrangements, the surgical plan and postoperative follow-up should be confirmed directly with the clinic.
Both practitioners generally practise during the clinic’s operating hours, subject to individual availability. Dr. Amol’s schedule may vary when he is undertaking surgery, so contact the clinic before visiting.
