Sports Injuries Archives

How to Better Manage Pain from Old Sports Injuries

Posted on December 17, 2025January 26, 2026 by dev_admin

The thrill of athletic competition often leaves lasting memories – sometimes in the form of persistent pain from injuries sustained years ago. At Summit Spine & Joint Centers, we regularly see patients throughout Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina who struggle with lingering discomfort from their athletic past. These old sports injuries can manifest as joint stiffness, recurring inflammation or chronic pain that interferes with daily activities.

Why Old Injuries Continue to Cause Pain

Sports injuries that occurred decades ago can continue to cause pain through several mechanisms. When tissues heal improperly or incompletely, they may develop abnormal scar tissue that restricts movement and creates tension on surrounding structures. Additionally, compensatory movement patterns adopted during the initial recovery phase can lead to biomechanical imbalances, placing excessive stress on joints and muscles. Perhaps most significantly, previous injuries often accelerate degenerative processes like osteoarthritis, particularly in weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips and ankles.

Comprehensive Assessment Approaches

The journey toward managing old sports injury pain begins with proper assessment. Our specialists at Summit Spine & Joint Centers employ advanced diagnostic techniques to understand the complete picture of your condition. This might include detailed medical history reviews that connect current symptoms to past injuries, physical examinations to assess mobility restrictions and pain patterns and, when necessary, imaging studies such as MRI or ultrasound to visualize structural changes. This multifaceted approach allows us to develop targeted treatment strategies rather than simply addressing symptoms.

Non-Surgical Intervention Strategies

For many patients with old sports injuries, non-surgical approaches provide significant relief. Physical therapy represents a cornerstone of treatment, with specialized protocols to improve joint mobility, strengthen supporting musculature and correct movement imbalances. Many patients benefit from therapeutic modalities like therapeutic ultrasound, which delivers deep tissue heating to enhance circulation, or electrical stimulation to modulate pain signals and reduce muscle spasm.

The strategic use of medications can also play an important role in management. Anti-inflammatory medications may reduce swelling and pain during flare-ups, while topical analgesics can provide targeted relief without systemic side effects. For more severe or persistent pain, we may recommend targeted injection therapies, including corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation or regenerative medicine approaches like platelet-rich plasma therapy to promote tissue healing.

Lifestyle Adaptations for Long-Term Management

Beyond clinical interventions, successful management of old sports injury pain often requires thoughtful lifestyle modifications. Weight management becomes particularly important, as excess body weight multiplies force through injured joints during activities. For instance, research indicates that each pound of weight loss reduces pressure on knee joints by approximately four pounds.

Activity modification represents another crucial element. This doesn’t necessarily mean abandoning physical activity altogether – rather, it involves transitioning to lower-impact alternatives that maintain fitness without aggravating vulnerable areas. Swimming and statuary cycling, for example, offer cardiovascular benefits without the joint stress associated with running.

Nutritional considerations also merit attention, as certain dietary patterns can either promote or reduce inflammatory responses. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants may help modulate inflammation, while processed foods high in omega-6 fatty acids and refined sugars may exacerbate it.

When to Consider Advanced Interventions

For patients whose pain persists despite conservative measures, our clinics offer advanced interventional procedures. These might include nerve blocks to interrupt pain signaling pathways, radiofrequency ablation to deactivate pain-transmitting nerves or regenerative medicine options that harness the body’s natural healing capabilities.

Teaming Up for Personalized Pain Management

At Summit Spine & Joint Centers, we recognize that each patient’s experience with old sports injury pain is unique. The former collegiate quarterback with recurring shoulder instability requires a different approach than the weekend warrior dealing with post-traumatic knee arthritis. Our comprehensive, patient-centered approach ensures that treatment plans address not just the physical aspects of pain but also its impact on quality of life and daily function.

By combining evidence-based interventions with personalized attention, we help patients throughout the Southeast reclaim mobility and comfort despite the lingering effects of their athletic histories. If you’re struggling with pain from old sports injuries, our team stands ready to help you write a new chapter in your physical wellbeing. For more information about our treatment options, call us at (844) 972-7752 to schedule an appointment at any of our 43 locations including our new clinic for Pain Management in Pooler, Georgia.

Achilles Tendonitis is No Myth

Posted on December 17, 2025 by dev_admin

The term “Achilles’ heel” comes from the ancient myth of Achilles, who was said to have been dipped into the river Styx by his mother to make him invulnerable. Unfortunately, Achilles’ heel wasn’t covered by the water, and he was later killed by an arrow wound to that heel.

Even those of us who are not part of Greek mythology can suffer from pain in our Achilles’ heel, often in the form of Achilles tendonitis.

Achilles tendonitis is a condition characterized by inflammation and irritation of the Achilles tendon, which connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. It is commonly seen in athletes who engage in activities involving repetitive jumping, running, or sudden increases in intensity or duration. Other contributing factors may include tight calf muscles, improper footwear, poor running technique, or underlying conditions such as obesity or arthritis.

Symptoms of Achilles tendonitis may include:

Pain and stiffness along the back of the heel, especially prevalent in the morning or after periods of inactivity;
Tenderness and swelling in the affected area;
Increased pain with activity, especially during running or jumping;
Thickening or enlargement of the tendon.

Achilles tendonitis often responds well to non-surgical treatments including:

Avoiding activities that worsen the symptoms can help alleviate the stress on the tendon and promote healing. Switching from running and jumping to low-impact exercises like swimming or cycling may be beneficial during the recovering period.
Applying ice to the affected area for 15-20 minutes several times per day can help reduce pain and inflammation. It is important to wrap the ice pack in a thin cloth to protect the skin and prevent frostbite.
Over-the-counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or naproxen can also help reduce pain and inflammation. Always consult with a healthcare professional before taking any medication.
Physical therapy can provide specific exercises to strengthen the calf muscles and improve flexibility. A physical therapist may also utilize techniques like ultrasound or extracorporeal shockwave therapy to promote healing. A qualified PT may recommend eccentric strengthening exercises for controlled lengthening of the Achilles tendon to improve its strength and promote healing.
Wearing supportive shoes or orthotic inserts with proper cushioning and arch support can relieve stress on the Achilles tendon. In some cases, a hell lift of custom orthotic device may be recommended to provide additional support.
Wearing a night splint or brace that keeps the foot and ankle in a slightly flexed position while sleeping can help reduce morning pain and stiffness.

Keep in mind that the severity of Achilles tendonitis can vary. More severe or chronic cases may require surgical intervention, especially if conservative treatments do not provide relief or if there is a tendon rupture.

While this information should help you understand more about Achilles tendonitis, it is very important that you consult with a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment plan for any chronic pain conditions.

Contact Summit Spine & Joint Centers for Treatment of Achilles Tendonitis

If you are suffering from Achilles tendonitis, please feel free to call us at (844) 972-7752 to schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms and determine the best pain management treatments. Your health and well-being of the utmost importance to us.

We have 25 convenient locations available in Georgia including our featured new location for Pain Management in Savannah, GA.

Dealing with Chronic Pain in Children and Teens

Posted on December 17, 2025October 22, 2026 by dev_admin

When a child says their stomach hurts almost every day, or a teenager stops showing up for practice because their back won’t let up, it’s easy to assume it will pass. Often it does. But for a real number of young patients, the pain doesn’t resolve on its own, and it can go unrecognized for months.

Chronic pain in children is real; it’s more common than most people expect, and it’s treatable. Kids and teens experience the same lasting pain conditions adults do, just filtered through a smaller vocabulary for describing what hurts in a body that’s still developing. Research puts the number at roughly 1 in 5 children and adolescents who experience chronic pain, according to a 2024 meta-analysis. Recognizing it early, rather than writing it off as a phase, is the first step toward helping your child find relief.

Common Types of Chronic Pain in Children and Teens

Chronic pain in kids doesn’t always show up as one clear, describable injury. It tends to fall into a few recognizable patterns, and a child can have more than one at once.
Musculoskeletal pain. Discomfort centered in the muscles, joints, or bones, often tied to growth, overuse, or an old injury that never fully healed.
Neuropathic pain. Pain caused by irritated or damaged nerves, often described as burning, tingling, or shooting rather than a dull ache.
Amplified Musculoskeletal Pain Syndrome (AMPS). Pain that’s out of proportion to any visible injury or test result, more common in older children and teens, and often linked to how the nervous system is processing pain signals.
Chronic headaches and migraines. Recurring headaches that go well beyond an occasional bad day and start to interfere with school or sleep.

When To See a Specialist

Most short-term aches resolve within a couple of weeks. Back pain in children and adolescents that lingers past that window, keeps coming back after rest, or starts limiting school, sports, or sleep is a signal to move past home care and get a pain-focused evaluation. The same goes for pain your child can’t tie to any injury, or pain a pediatrician has already looked at without finding a clear cause.

Why Is Chronic Pain Hard To Diagnose in Children?

Younger children especially may not have the words to describe where pain is coming from or how bad it is, and older kids will sometimes downplay pain out of fear or a desire to seem normal around friends. Providers can default to a growing-pains explanation for the same reason parents do: it’s the most common reason.

Back pain in children is a good example of how this plays out in practice. Imaging and standard tests don’t always show a clear cause, even when the pain is completely real, which means diagnosis depends on a careful history and consistent tracking over time rather than a single scan. Tools like the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale, which pairs faces, numbers, and words so a child can point to what they’re feeling, help bridge that gap for patients who don’t yet have the vocabulary to describe pain in clinical terms.

What Does Treatment for Chronic Pain in Children Look Like?

There’s no single standard path for treating chronic pain in children. The right plan depends on the child’s age, the type of pain involved, and what’s realistic for a family managing school, schedules, and day-to-day life around it:

Pharmacological Treatment: Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen are usually the first line of treatment. For severe cases, stronger prescription medication may be prescribed with caution due to the potential for addiction and other side effects.
Physical Therapy: Physical therapy aims at improving mobility and strength, which can subsequently alleviate pain. It’s particularly effective for musculoskeletal and post-injury pain.
Psychological Interventions: Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is effective in helping children manage the emotional aspects of pain. Mindfulness techniques and biofeedback are also gaining traction.
Interventional Pain Management: A medical specialty typically involving a pain management clinic that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of chronic pain conditions using minimally invasive procedures and techniques like RFA, discography, and epidural injections. It aims to alleviate pain and improve a patient’s quality of life by targeting the source of pain and promoting functional recovery.
Multidisciplinary Programs: For conditions like AMPS, a comprehensive, multidisciplinary approach involving physical therapists, psychologists, and medical specialists is often the most effective treatment plan.

The Importance of Family Support

Treatment works better when the whole family is involved. Parents who validate a child’s pain, rather than questioning whether it’s real, tend to see better outcomes. Staying consistent with therapy, medication schedules, and follow-up appointments matters as much as the treatment plan itself.

Schedule a Pediatric Pain Consultation

If your child or teen has been living with pain that doesn’t add up to a simple explanation, a pediatric pain consultation at Summit Spine & Joint Centers is the best next step. We’ll build an individual plan based on your child’s needs. Call (844) 972-7752 or request an appointment online to schedule a pediatric pain consultation. Serving patients at locations in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are signs my child's pain isn't normal growing pains?

Growing pains typically show up in the evening, affect both legs, and ease with gentle massage or by morning. Pain that’s one-sided, keeps a child from playing or attending school, wakes them at night, or comes with swelling, fever, or unexplained weight loss doesn’t fit that pattern and is worth a closer look.

What treatments are safe for chronic pain in children?

Pediatric pain treatment starts with the least invasive options, including physical therapy, activity pacing, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Medication and interventional options are added only when needed, and every plan should come from a provider experienced in treating children rather than a scaled-down adult protocol.

When should I take my teen to a pain specialist?

If pain has lasted more than a few weeks, keeps returning after normal recovery time, or is starting to affect school, sleep, or activities your teen used to enjoy, it’s time to bring in a specialist rather than wait it out. A pediatric pain evaluation can also help when a primary care visit hasn’t turned up a clear explanation.

Stress Fractures in Young Athletes

Posted on December 17, 2025 by dev_admin

Stress fractures affect many people of all ages, but they are particularly prevalent in young athletes who are not fully grown and lack the proper training to participate in a competitive sport. Even professional athletes get stress fractures, though, so no one is immune to these painful occurrences.

Stress fractures are basically small cracks in a bone. They’re caused by repetitive force, usually from overuse due to repeatedly jumping up and down or running over long distances. They occur most often in the weight-bearing bones of the lower foot and leg. Young athletes who engage in high-impact sports such as track and field, tennis, basketball, and gymnastics are at the highest risk.

Why do so many young athletes develop stress fractures?

Training too hard without proper conditioning will boost an athlete’s risk of getting a stress fracture. That’s because when the athlete’s muscles become too tired and can’t readily absorb the impact of competition and training, that stress gets transferred to the bones.

Athletes who have flat feet are more prone to such fractures, as are those who:

Run on hard surfaces
Run with improper footwear
Suffer from eating disorders
Suffer from low bone mineral density or osteoporosis

The PARS Stress Fracture

Also known as spondylolysis, the PARS stress fracture usually occurs in the lower back, resulting from repetitive hyperextension and rotation activities, says American Bone Health. Young athletes who participate in sports involving twisting movements and backwards bending are at a higher risk of a PARS stress fracture, which affects 30 percent of young athletes. Sports where hyperextension of the back are routine occurrences include gymnastics, diving, wrestling, football, pole vaulting, weight lifting, dancing, volleyball, and high jumping.

Treatment

Young athletes with stress fractures may have to wear a walking boot or brace, or use crutches until the bone heals. This will help reduce the bone’s weight-bearing load. Surgery is an option for extreme cases, but there are many non-surgical treatment options that may be a better fit for a young person.

In most cases, lifestyle changes can go a long way toward alleviating the pain of stress fractures.

Get plenty of rest. Do not use the affected limb until your doctor clears you.
Ice the area. Apply ice packs to the injury for 15 minutes every few hours. This will reduce swelling and relieve pain.
Resume activity slowly. Don’t jump back into sports; instead slowly start off with non-weight-bearing activities, such as swimming, before progressing to your usual activities.

Contact Summit Spine and Joint Centers

To learn how our pain management clinic can help relieve a stress fracture or any other acute or chronic pain, call us today at (844) 972-7752 and make an appointment to visit one our 22 pain centers including our featured location in August for Pain Management in Gainesville, GA. We utilize state-of-the-art, minimally-invasive techniques to restore function and improve your overall quality of life.