When should you see a doctor for a sports injury?

See an orthopaedic doctor promptly if you have any of these:

• You heard a pop or crack at the time of injury
• You cannot put weight on the leg, or the joint feels unstable or gives way
• Swelling appears quickly (within a few hours)
• The joint looks deformed, or you cannot move it
• Numbness, tingling or weakness in the limb
• Pain that has not improved after 1–2 weeks of rest

Suspected fractures and dislocations need same-day care. For emergencies, call +91 94442 57027.

What to do in the first 48 hours

1. Protect the injured part — stop playing; don’t “run it off”.
2. Rest it, and use support (a crepe bandage or sling) if needed.
3. Ice for 15–20 minutes at a time, wrapped in a cloth, every 2–3 hours.
4. Compress gently with a bandage to control swelling.
5. Elevate the limb above heart level when lying down.
6. Avoid heat, massage and alcohol for the first two days, as they can increase swelling.

This is first aid, not treatment. If any warning sign above applies, get examined.

How we diagnose sports injuries

1. Detailed history — how the injury happened, your sport, position and training load.
2. Clinical examination — specific ligament, tendon and stability tests for the joint involved.
3. Imaging when needed — X-ray for bone injury; MRI for ligaments, cartilage and tendons; ultrasound for some tendon and muscle injuries.
4. Grading the injury — so the plan matches the damage, from a mild strain to a complete tear.

Sports injury treatment at KS Ortho Clinic

Most sports injuries heal without surgery. We start with the least invasive option that will work and step up only if needed.

Non-surgical treatment

• Pain and inflammation control with medicines and cold therapy
• Bracing, strapping or splinting to protect the healing tissue
• Structured physiotherapy in our in-house unit: mobility, strengthening, balance and sport-specific drills
• Injections in selected cases, after examination
• Correcting training errors, footwear and technique

Surgical treatment, when needed

• Arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery for ACL reconstruction, meniscus repair and shoulder stabilisation — smaller cuts, less blood loss and quicker early recovery than open surgery
• Fracture fixation for displaced or unstable fractures
• Tendon repair for complete ruptures

Recovery and return to sport

Recovery time depends on the injury and its grade. As a general guide:

Your own timeline is set after examination. We clear you to return only when strength, range of motion and balance are back — returning early is the commonest cause of re-injury.

Preventing sports injuries

• Warm up for 10 minutes and include dynamic stretches
• Increase training load gradually — roughly 10% a week
• Strengthen hips, core and the muscles around your knees and shoulders
• Use sport-appropriate footwear and replace worn shoes
• Hydrate well — Chennai’s heat and humidity raise cramp and fatigue risk
• Rest between hard sessions and don’t play through sharp pain

Why choose KS Ortho Clinic for sports injuries

• Led by an orthopaedic surgeon: Prof. Dr. A. N. Sarath Babu, postgraduate from Madras Medical College and Professor with the Tamil Nadu Health Department.
• Diagnosis to rehab under one roof: consultation, imaging, arthroscopic surgery and in-house physiotherapy.
• Conservative-first approach: surgery is advised only when it will clearly help.
• Same-day attention for fractures, dislocations and severe sprains.
• Serving South Chennai since 2012: Madipakkam, Puzhuthivakkam, Velachery, Medavakkam, Nanganallur, Keelkattalai and nearby areas.