Find the Right Care for Overuse Injuries in Arizona

Overuse injuries, also called repetitive strain injuries (RSI), are caused by repetitive motions or activities. They happen gradually and affect muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, and other joint structures in the body. Common types of overuse injuries include tendonitis, stress fractures, sprains and strains, bursitis, and growth plate problems in children.

Dignity Health offers personalized treatment for sports injuries in Arizona, for people of all ages and fitness levels. For excellence in care, Find a Doctor today at a Dignity Health location near you.

Overuse Injury Symptoms

Common signs and symptoms of overuse injuries may include:

• Swelling
• Redness
• Bruising
• Limited range of motion

As symptoms worsen, they may include sounds like creaking, grinding, clicking, or popping when moving the affected body part. These types of injuries can seriously affect a child’s growth plates, impeding normal growth and development.

Overuse Injury Causes

Injuries that happen over time are caused by continually using a certain set of muscles without properly resting them between use. Healing and recovery is a necessary part of being active, and when the body isn’t allowed to do this, damage can occur.

Children are at a greater risk of overuse injuries because their bodies are still growing. As muscle and tendons can weaken over time, older adults are very susceptible to overuse injuries. Risk factors for athletes include poor conditioning, training, and form. Factory workers and people that sit at a desk can have overuse injuries from improper form and incorrect posture.

Overuse Injury Treatment at Dignity Health

Sports medicine doctors focus on preventing further damage to structures in the body, alleviating pain, and repairing damage caused from overuse. 

Treatment for these types of injuries may include:

• Anti-inflammatory medication
• Steroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Splinting
• Arthroscopic, open, and minimally invasive robotic surgery

Along with treatment, prevention is an important part of the care we provide at Dignity Health. You can follow these tips to help prevent future problems.

• Use the right equipment with the proper fit when playing sports.
• Warm up and cool down when exercising or being active.
• Allow time for rest and recovery between periods of physical activity.
• Properly balance strength training, cardiovascular exercise, and stretching.
• Stay hydrated during sports, exercise, or physical activities at work and at home.

Providers at Dignity Health offer a comprehensive approach to the prevention and treatment of overuse injuries in Arizona, as part of our orthopedic services.