Most people will likely need treatment for a musculoskeletal injury such as a sprained ankle or strained back muscle at some point in their life. While most of these injuries do not require surgery, they do require medical treatment to heal properly. Angel J. Garcia, MD, with the El Paso Center for Family & Sports Medicine in El Paso, Texas, is board-certified in sports medicine as well as family medicine and can treat any musculoskeletal injury. Call or book an appointment online today for prompt, knowledgeable treatment.
Sprains and strains are the most common types of musculoskeletal injuries.
Sprains are stretched or torn ligaments, which are the tissues that connect bones to joints. Strains are stretched or torn muscles or tendons, which are what connect muscles to bones. Stretching before every workout reduces susceptibility to sprains and strains.
Dr. Garcia, as a board-certified physician in sports medicine, has all of the relevant technology to diagnose musculoskeletal injuries correctly: X-rays, ultrasound, in-office casting, and lab services.
There are many types of musculoskeletal injuries, and they most commonly affect the joints in areas such as the shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and wrists. Some of the more common musculoskeletal injuries include:
Dr. Garcia uses the PRICE method to help his patients recover from musculoskeletal injuries more quickly. The five components of the PRICE method are protection, restriction, ice, compression, and elevation.
Besides these practical strategies, Dr. Garcia uses physical therapy modalities to help patients recover, including heat or ice, TENS unit treatment, ultrasound, exercises, and practice using assistive devices. If the injury is severe, Dr. Garcia prescribes physical therapy, and if surgery is needed, he recommends a trusted colleague to perform the procedure.
Call or book an appointment online with Dr. Garcia for expert care to treat musculoskeletal injuries, or to initiate an exercise program that helps prevent these types of injuries.