Musculoskeletal Injuries Specialist
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El Paso Center for Family & Sports Medicine
Angel J. Garcia, MD
Sports Medicine & Aesthetic Specialist located in El Paso, TX
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.
Musculoskeletal Injuries Q & A
What are musculoskeletal injuries?
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.
What are the most common musculoskeletal injuries?
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:
- Rotator cuff tears
- Elbow tendonitis
- Wrist fracture
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Lower back strain
- Groin pull
- Hip labral tears
- Knee injuries: ACL and meniscus tears
- Hamstring strain
- Ankle sprain
- Foot stress fracture
How does a sports medicine physician treat the most common musculoskeletal injuries?
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.
- Protection: Use of splints, pads, or canes to help prevent further injury
- Restriction: Limit movement and reduce activity level
- Ice: Immediately after suffering an injury, apply ice to the trouble area, and do so again for 20-minute intervals every one or two hours for the first few days
- Compression: Use an elastic bandage to help limit swelling
- Elevation: Raise the injured area, and if it’s a leg injury, try to elevate the leg above the heart
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.
