Urgent Care Treatment for Sports Injuries

Urgent Care Clinic Of Lincoln
4210 Pioneer Woods Dr a
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 488-4321
Directions: Urgent Care Clinic

Urgent Care for Sports-Related Injuries in Lincoln, NE

How Does Urgent Care of Lincoln Treat Sports Injuries?

At Urgent Care Clinic of Lincoln, we ensure our patients are on the road to recovery. Through urgent care for sports injury cases, we can properly diagnose and treat cases and help patients manage their pain. Additionally, our medical staff can rule out more severe sports injuries. Some of the services we provide for sports injury urgent care include:

• Assessment: Our medical professionals and technicians have the technology and skills to evaluate the injury’s severity. This can include a physical exam and diagnostic imaging.

• Treatment Options: Depending on your condition, we can prescribe over-the-counter medication, prescription medications, or home recovery through the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) method.

• Specialized Procedures: Our medical staff can provide suturing, splinting, and casting for injuries that require stitches or immobilization. For more severe injuries, we can refer patients to specialists for surgery if necessary.

• Rehabilitation: Our doctors can recommend plans that focus on physical therapy to aid recovery and prevent future injuries.

• Return to Activity: We can provide medical services that ensure athletes recover before safely returning to their sports with minimized downtime.

Most Common Sports Injuries

Depending on the sport and athletic level, athletes can develop various sports-related injuries. Some of the most common include:

• Sprains: These occur when the ligaments connecting bones to each other are overstretched or torn. They are frequent in sports that involve sudden changes in direction, jumping, or landing, such as basketball, soccer, and volleyball.

• Strains: Overstretching or overuse of muscles and tendons. Sports like running, football, and tennis that involve repetitive motions can lead to strains in the back, hamstring, or groin.

• Fractures: Breaks in bones from impacts, falls, or excessive stress. Sports such as football, basketball, and skateboarding are common culprits. Recovery typically involves immobilization with a cast or splint. 

• Dislocations: Bones are forced out of their joints due to trauma or a sudden impact. Sports like rugby, wrestling, and basketball can lead to shoulder or finger dislocations. Treatment involves gently maneuvering the bones back into place.

• Concussions: Traumatic brain injuries are caused by impacts to the head, leading to rapid movement of the brain within the skull. Contact sports such as football, soccer, and hockey pose significant risks for concussions. Patients with concussions should seek emergency care due to potential brain damage. 

 

Sports Injuries in Schools

Sports injuries in schools are a significant concern due to the high participation rates among students in athletic activities. These injuries can range from minor sprains and bruises to more severe fractures and concussions, impacting students’ physical health and academic performance. 

Student athletes should seek urgent care if they are experiencing common symptoms of sports injuries, such as:

• Body pain, especially while moving
• Bruising
• Visible deformity of joints
• Grinding, cracking, clicking, popping, or any noise occurring during joint movement
• Swelling 
• Limited mobility

Our staff can provide urgent care for sports injury cases for student athletes of all levels. We administer the first steps of a comprehensive recovery plan and ensure their bodies heal safely before they resume playing. 

Treatment Options

Sports injury care may involve different treatment options for athletes. Plenty of factors can determine which methods are most effective, including the severity of the injury, the affected body part, and more. Some treatment options include: 

 

• RICE Method: Athletes may be advised to stay at home, avoid strenuous activities, apply ice packs, use compression, and elevate the injured area while they recover.

• Over-the-counter Medications: Patients experiencing discomfort during recovery can take pain relievers to manage the pain and inflammation.

• Immobilization: Patients are given splints, braces, or casts to immobilize the affected area. This allows their body to recover more effectively.

• Physical Therapy: Patients with moderate to severe injuries may be referred to a physical therapist to improve the injured area’s strength, flexibility, and range of motion.

• Surgery: In cases of severe injuries, surgical intervention may be necessary.