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Active in sports or fitness? Sports injuries—from ankle sprains to rotator cuff tears—can sideline your performance and affect daily life. At DFW Spine & Pain Institute, our board-certified sports medicine specialists and pain management providers offer expert care to get you back in the game. We serve athletes in Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Plano, and across North Texas.
Sports injuries refer to damage sustained during physical activity, including sprains, strains, tendon injuries, joint dislocations, and overuse conditions like tendonitis. These injuries often affect the soft tissues, ligaments, and bones—and may occur suddenly or develop over time from repetitive stress.
According to national estimates, about 8.6 million sports- and recreation-related injuries occur annually in the U.S., with the majority affecting individuals between the ages of 5 and 24.1 Injuries to the lower extremities are the most common—accounting for 42% of cases—followed by injuries to the upper extremities and head or neck.2
Among adolescent and young adult athletes, ankle sprains and ACL injuries are particularly common, especially in sports like football, basketball, and soccer.3,4 Notably, research shows that injury rates are higher in competition than in practice, and that nearly half of all high school and collegiate sports injuries involve the lower body.5
Whether you’re a professional athlete, high school competitor, or weekend warrior, a sports injury can disrupt not just your performance, but your daily life. That’s why prompt diagnosis and personalized care are essential for a safe and lasting recovery.
At DFW Spine & Pain Institute, we treat a wide range of sports-related injuries—from acute trauma to chronic overuse conditions. Whether you’re dealing with a sprain from basketball, shoulder pain from weightlifting, or knee instability from football, our team is equipped to diagnose and treat the full spectrum of injuries experienced by professional athletes, high school players, and weekend warriors alike.
Here are some of the most common sports injuries we treat:
A sprain refers to overstretching or tearing of a ligament, while a strain involves injury to muscles or tendons. These injuries often occur in the ankles, knees, or wrists and can range from mild to severe.
This inflammation of a tendon is often caused by repetitive motion. Common forms include Achilles tendonitis, patellar tendonitis (jumper’s knee), and tennis elbow. If untreated, tendonitis can progress to chronic pain or rupture.
The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder. Sports involving overhead motions—like baseball, swimming, or volleyball—can lead to tears or inflammation, causing pain and weakness.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilize the knee. ACL injuries are common in sports requiring quick pivots or jumps, such as soccer, basketball, and football. Many ACL tears also involve damage to other knee structures, like the meniscus.
These are tears in the cartilage that cushions the knee joint. Twisting motions, sudden stops, or heavy lifting can cause the meniscus to tear, often resulting in swelling, locking, or instability.
Sports-related bone fractures—especially in the wrist, ankle, foot, or collarbone—can result from high-impact collisions, falls, or direct blows. These injuries may require immobilization or surgical repair.
A dislocation happens when a bone slips out of its normal joint position, commonly affecting the shoulder, finger, or knee. It often requires emergency care and physical therapy to restore function.
This is inflammation of the bursa, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints. Bursitis often affects the shoulder, elbow, hip, or knee, especially with repetitive impact or pressure on the joints.
Often seen in runners or dancers, shin splints cause pain along the front of the lower leg. They’re typically due to overuse or improper training technique.
Small cracks in the bone caused by repetitive force or overtraining. Common in the foot, shin, or hip, stress fractures require rest and activity modification to heal.
Sprains, strains, and fractures are common during sports that involve jumping, running, or sudden changes in direction. Proper diagnosis is key to avoid long-term instability.
Although more often addressed by neurologists, we assist in managing post-concussive neck or spine-related pain. Whiplash can also occur in contact sports or high-speed falls.
Sudden starts, stops, or side-to-side movements can overstretch the muscles of the hip and groin, often seen in soccer, hockey, or martial arts.
Depending on the injury, symptoms may include:
Our healthcare providers, including athletic trainers, begin with a detailed evaluation & injury history, followed by physical exam and biomechanical testing. We use X-rays, MRI, or ultrasound to detect sprains, knee fractures, rotator cuff tears, and ligament damage. We may also use pain mapping or diagnostic nerve blocks for persistent or unclear pain presentations.
We focus on nonsurgical treatment options first—ideal for most sports injuries—and tailor a comprehensive treatment plan that includes:
Under the guidance of expert physical therapists, you’ll follow a recovery program to strengthen muscles, improve range of motion, support joints, and prevent re-injury.
Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce swelling and make movement more comfortable.
Temporary immobilization for injuries like ankle sprains, wrist strains, or tendonitis—allowing tissues to heal safely while maintaining function.
When the cause of pain isn’t clear from imaging or exam alone, we may use pain mapping. This technique involves precisely targeted diagnostic injections to identify the specific structure—nerve, joint, tendon, or muscle—responsible for your discomfort. It’s especially useful in chronic or overlapping sports injuries and helps guide your treatment plan for better results.
Used to reduce stress on injured tendons or joints, especially in sports like tennis, baseball, or basketball.
We work closely with orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine doctors, and athletic trainers to ensure recovery is active and well-supported.
For injuries that don’t respond to conservative care, we offer targeted, minimally invasive treatments:
Useful for athletes with chronic back, neck, or nerve root pain after sports-related spinal injuries or surgeries.
These specialized interventions may benefit athletes dealing with post-surgical back or lower-leg nerve issues.
See us anytime pain, swelling, instability, or limited range persists beyond a few days—or right away for severe injuries.
Yes, when used properly. We offer corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, and nerve blocks to speed return to function and enhance healing.
Some ACL or tendon injuries heal with aggressive physical therapy, bracing, and non-surgical management. Surgery is reserved for severe or unstable cases.
Definitely! Our team has extensive experience working with high school and youth athletes to support safe recovery and promote injury avoidance.
Don’t let a sports injury bench you—or keep you from doing what you love. Whether you’re in Dallas, Fort Worth, Irving, or anywhere in DFW, Texas, our board-certified sports medicine and pain management team is ready to help restore function, manage pain, and guide your safe return to activity. Contact us today to schedule your consultation and get back in the game — stronger and smarter.
If you have had an MRI but you are still suffering from pain, our specialists offer free MRI reviews. We offer a variety of treatment options at conveniently located offices in Colleyville, Dallas, Frisco, and Rockwall, Texas. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a consultation.
1 Sheu Y, Chen LH, Hedegaard H. Sports- and Recreation-related Injury Episodes in the United States, 2011-2014. Natl Health Stat Report. 2016 Nov;(99):1-12. PMID: 27906643. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27906643/. Accessed July 18, 2025.
2 Sheu Y, Chen LH, Hedegaard H. Sports- and Recreation-related Injury Episodes in the United States, 2011-2014. Natl Health Stat Report. 2016 Nov;(99):1-12. PMID: 27906643. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27906643/. Accessed July 18, 2025.
3 Rui P, Ashman JJ, Akinseye A. Emergency Department Visits for Injuries Sustained During Sports and Recreational Activities by Patients Aged 5-24 Years, 2010-2016. Natl Health Stat Report. 2019 Nov;(133):1-15. PMID: 32510307. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32510307/. Accessed July 18, 2025.
4 Selected Issues in Injury and Illness Prevention and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 48(1):p 159-171, January 2016. | DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000827. Available: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2016/01000/selected_issues_in_injury_and_illness_prevention.21.aspx. Accessed July 18, 2025.
5 Selected Issues in Injury and Illness Prevention and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise 48(1):p 159-171, January 2016. | DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000000827. Available: https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/fulltext/2016/01000/selected_issues_in_injury_and_illness_prevention.21.aspx. Accessed July 18, 2025.
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The Doctors at DFW Spine & Pain Institute have either authored or reviewed and approved this content.
