Dealing with a sports or activity-related injury?
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Sports Medicine can help.
Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Sports Medicine specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sports and activity-related injuries. Sports medicine specialists evaluate patients and create a personalized treatment plan just for them.
“Many people don’t realize the depth of our sports medicine services. Just because you may not be engaged in serious or competitive sports, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek a sports medicine professional’s opinion,” says Mark Hudak, MD, a sports medicine specialist at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital. “We offer everything from primary care sports medicine to nonsurgical and surgical treatment for sports- and activity-related injuries.”
The sports medicine team at Mercy Hospital has extensive training in sports medicine injury diagnosis and treatment. Our physicians provide the following treatment for athletes of all ages and for those who just want to be active:
The sports medicine team at Mercy Hospital has extensive training in sports medicine injury diagnosis and treatment. Our physicians provide the following treatment for athletes of all ages and for those who just want to be active:
- Overuse issues: These are often seen in endurance athletes and runners, or those who do a specific exercise program or activity repetitively. This category also includes tendinitis or stress fractures, as well as growth plate overuse injuries in pediatric patients.
- Acute injuries include sprains, ACL ligament tears, elbow ligament tears, hip injuries, strains and fractures. These injuries happen suddenly — a fall, an accident, a sports-related injury — and often require care from a specialist.
- Concussion management includes baseline testing, evaluation and return to play.
- Exercise inducted illnesses, such as asthma, and other medical conditions that affect athletes or active individuals.
“Many people don’t realize the depth of our sports medicine services, and just because you may not be engaged in serious or competitive sports, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t seek a sports medicine professional’s opinion,” says David Godfrey, MD, an orthopaedic surgeon at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital. “We offer everything from primary care sports medicine to nonsurgical and surgical treatment for sports- and activity-related injuries.”
The sports medicine team at Union Hospital has extensive training in sports medicine injury diagnosis and treatment. Our physicians provide the following treatment for athletes of all ages and for those who just want to be active:
The sports medicine team at Union Hospital has extensive training in sports medicine injury diagnosis and treatment. Our physicians provide the following treatment for athletes of all ages and for those who just want to be active:
- Overuse issues: These are often seen in endurance athletes and runners, or those who do a specific exercise program or activity repetitively. This category also includes tendinitis or stress fractures, as well as growth plate overuse injuries in pediatric patients.
- Acute injuries include sprains, ACL ligament tears, elbow ligament tears, hip injuries, strains and fractures. These injuries happen suddenly — a fall, an accident, a sports-related injury — and often require care from a specialist.
- Concussion management includes baseline testing, evaluation and return to play.
- Medical issues that affect athletes/active individuals
James Goff, DO
Nonsurgical Treatment
“It’s important for people to know that when it comes to sports- and activity-related injuries, 90% of cases can be treated nonsurgically,” says James Goff, DO, a sports medicine physician who treats patients at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital.
Dr. Goff explains that for anything that hurts, he can typically help or point a patient in the right direction. “When I see a patient for the first time, we talk about how long they’ve been dealing with pain or an injury, treatments they’ve tried in the past, the pattern of their pain, what they may be doing that is aggravating the problem, and how it is affecting their life. It’s important to understand these things because injuries don’t affect everyone the same way,” he says.
A complete patient history, a physical exam and imaging (X-rays, MRI, etc.) can determine the need for nonsurgical or surgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment can include physical and exercise therapy, prescription medications and a variety of treatments, including:
Dr. Goff explains that for anything that hurts, he can typically help or point a patient in the right direction. “When I see a patient for the first time, we talk about how long they’ve been dealing with pain or an injury, treatments they’ve tried in the past, the pattern of their pain, what they may be doing that is aggravating the problem, and how it is affecting their life. It’s important to understand these things because injuries don’t affect everyone the same way,” he says.
A complete patient history, a physical exam and imaging (X-rays, MRI, etc.) can determine the need for nonsurgical or surgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment can include physical and exercise therapy, prescription medications and a variety of treatments, including:
- Injections — for example, viscosupplementation and corticosteroids.
- Joint aspiration (the removal of excess fluid from a joint).
- Ultrasound evaluation and ultrasound-guided injections.
- Prolotherapy injections for tendinopathies
“I compare gel injections (viscosupplementation) to an oil change in the knee. Corticosteroid injections — which help with inflammation — are like a fire extinguisher that calms everything down,” says Dr. Goff. “One of the most rewarding things I do is joint aspiration, which is removing fluid from a swollen joint. This procedure offers immediate pain relief, and depending on the situation, the fluid may be sent for analysis.”
Surgical Treatment
So when is surgery the answer? “It depends on the severity of the condition. Is it an acute injury leading to instability, difficulty walking, or inability to use the joint effectively? Is there a loss of function? Have nonsurgical treatment options been exhausted? If so, surgery may be necessary,” says Dr. Godfrey.
Minimally invasive or arthroscopic surgery is available for shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. ACL reconstruction and partial joint replacements may also be options.
“Age, activity level expected after surgery, and discussion with each patient determines which approach is best,” says Dr. Godfrey. “The goal of surgery and recovery is to regain strength and restore function and range of motion.”
Whatever your situation, activity level, or fitness goals, the specialists at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Sports Medicine can help you get and stay active. “Whether you’re dealing with a chronic overuse injury that’s been nagging at you for months, or a knee you twisted just yesterday that is causing you pain, there are treatment options available to help you continue to do what you like to do,” adds Dr. Godfrey.
Whatever your situation, activity level, or fitness goals, the specialists at Cleveland Clinic Union Hospital Sports Medicine can help you get and stay active. “Whether you’re dealing with a chronic overuse injury that’s been nagging at you for months, or a knee you twisted just yesterday that is causing you pain, there are treatment options available to help you continue to do what you like to do,” adds Dr. Godfrey.
Ortho Express Care
Need quick treatment for a minor muscle, bone or joint injury? Patients ages 2 and up can be treated at the Ortho Express Care clinic for the following without an appointment:
- Sports injuries (excluding concussions)
- Exercise-related injuries
- Simple fractures (broken bone without an open wound over the fracture location)
- Sprain or strain of the leg, hip, knee, foot or ankle
- Sudden joint, bone or muscle injuries
- Swollen or painful joints
- Sports physicals
- Injuries to the shoulder, wrist, elbow, hand, hip, knee or ankle
Ortho Express Care is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. For more information, visit UnionHospital.org/OrthoExpressCare
Cleveland Clinic is here to care for you
Although COVID-19 is still around and still contagious, Cleveland Clinic has taken steps to allow you to return safely for your healthcare needs — including cardiac and emergency care.
To protect you, Cleveland Clinic continues to:
- Practice physical distancing and limit the number of people in one area.
- Screen everyone for COVID-19 symptoms.
- Require a face mask for everyone at all Cleveland Clinic locations.
- Disinfect surfaces frequently.
Nonsurgical Treatment
“It’s important for people to know that when it comes to sports- and activity-related injuries, 90% of cases can be treated nonsurgically,” says Thomas Watson, MD, an orthopaedic specialist at Mercy Hospital.
Dr. Watson explains that for anything that hurts, he can typically help or point a patient in the right direction. “When I see a patient for the first time, we talk about how long they’ve been dealing with pain or an injury, treatments they’ve tried in the past, the pattern of their pain, what they may be doing that is aggravating the problem, and how it is affecting their life. It’s important to understand these things because injuries don’t affect everyone the same way,” he says.
A complete patient history, a physical exam and imaging (X-rays, MRI, etc.) can determine the need for nonsurgical or surgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment can include physical and exercise therapy, prescription medications and a variety of treatments, including:
Dr. Watson explains that for anything that hurts, he can typically help or point a patient in the right direction. “When I see a patient for the first time, we talk about how long they’ve been dealing with pain or an injury, treatments they’ve tried in the past, the pattern of their pain, what they may be doing that is aggravating the problem, and how it is affecting their life. It’s important to understand these things because injuries don’t affect everyone the same way,” he says.
A complete patient history, a physical exam and imaging (X-rays, MRI, etc.) can determine the need for nonsurgical or surgical treatment. Nonsurgical treatment can include physical and exercise therapy, prescription medications and a variety of treatments, including:
- Injections — for example, viscosupplementation and corticosteroids.
- Joint aspiration (the removal of excess fluid from a joint).
- Ultrasound evaluation and ultrasound-guided injections.
- Prolotherapy injections for tendinopathies.
“I compare gel injections (viscosupplementation) to an oil change in the knee. Corticosteroid injections — which help with inflammation — are like a fire extinguisher that calms everything down,” says Dr. Watson. “One of the most rewarding things I do is joint aspiration, which is removing fluid from a swollen joint. This procedure offers immediate pain relief, and depending on the situation, the fluid may be sent for analysis.”
Surgical Treatment
So when is surgery the answer? “It depends on the severity of the condition. Is it an acute injury leading to instability, difficulty walking, or inability to use the joint effectively? Is there a loss of function? Have nonsurgical treatment options been exhausted? If so, surgery may be necessary,” says Patrick Kane, MD, an orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeon at Mercy.
Minimally invasive or arthroscopic surgery is available for shoulders, elbows, hips and knees. ACL reconstruction and rotator cuff repairs may also be options.
“Age, activity level expected after surgery, and discussion with each patient determines which approach is best,” says Dr. Kane. “The goal of surgery and recovery is to regain strength and restore function and range of motion.”
Whatever your situation, activity level, or fitness goals, the specialists at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Sports Medicine can help you get and stay active. “Whether you’re dealing with a chronic overuse injury that’s been nagging at you for months, or a knee you twisted just yesterday that is causing you pain, there are treatment options available to help you continue to do what you like to do,” adds Dr. Kane.
Whatever your situation, activity level, or fitness goals, the specialists at Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital Sports Medicine can help you get and stay active. “Whether you’re dealing with a chronic overuse injury that’s been nagging at you for months, or a knee you twisted just yesterday that is causing you pain, there are treatment options available to help you continue to do what you like to do,” adds Dr. Kane.
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To schedule an appointment with a Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital sports medicine specialist, call 330.489.1362.
Keeping Local Athletes in the Game
Mercy Hospital sports medicine specialists are proud to be the official sports medicine providers for the following local athletic programs:
- Central Catholic High School
- Lake Center Christian School
- Lake High School
- North Canton High School
- Walsh University