Sports Injury Treatment at Mayo Clinic

Sports Injury Treatment at Mayo Clinic provides specialized evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for acute sports injuries, overuse injuries and musculoskeletal conditions affecting athletes and physically active individuals. Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine offers both non-surgical and surgical treatment options, with individualized care designed to restore function, support recovery and help patients safely return to their desired activities. 

Price: Price on Request

Why Price on Request?

The cost of sports injury treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury, specialist consultation, diagnostic imaging, laboratory or other diagnostic testing, treatment procedures, surgery when required, physical therapy, rehabilitation and follow-up care. A personalized estimate depends on the patient's individual treatment plan.

Complete Description

What Is Sports Injury Treatment?

Sports Injury Treatment focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis, management and rehabilitation of injuries that occur during sports, exercise or other physical activities.

Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine provides care for youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletes, recreational athletes and active individuals. Treatment may involve sports medicine physicians, orthopedic surgeons, physical therapists, athletic trainers and other specialists depending on the patient's needs. 

Conditions Evaluated and Treated

Sports injury treatment may address:

• Ligament injuries

• Muscle injuries

• Tendon injuries

• Sprains

• Strains

• Fractures

• Joint injuries

• Cartilage injuries

• Overuse injuries

• Acute sports injuries

• Knee injuries

• Shoulder injuries

• Hip injuries

• Foot and ankle injuries

• Elbow injuries

• Hand and wrist injuries

• Neck and spine injuries

• Sports-related concussion

Mayo Clinic's sports medicine program evaluates conditions involving the ankle and foot, elbow, hand and wrist, head, hip, knee, neck and spine, and shoulder.

Sports Injury Evaluation

A sports injury evaluation may include:

• Detailed medical history

• Review of the injury mechanism

• Physical examination

• Assessment of pain and symptoms

• Joint range-of-motion evaluation

• Muscle-strength testing

• Joint stability assessment

• Functional movement assessment

• Review of previous injuries and treatments

• Review of previous imaging and medical records

The purpose is to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine an appropriate treatment and rehabilitation strategy.

Common Sports Injuries

Sports injury treatment may address:

• ACL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Multi-ligament knee injuries

• Rotator cuff tears

• Elbow ligament injuries

• Shoulder instability

• Shoulder dislocation

• Muscle strains

• Tendon injuries

• Ankle sprains

• Foot and ankle injuries

• Cartilage injuries

• Stress-related injuries

• Overuse injuries

Mayo Clinic's orthopedic sports medicine services specifically include treatment for ACL and meniscus injuries, multi-ligament knee injuries, rotator cuff tears, elbow ligament injuries, foot and ankle injuries and shoulder and upper-extremity injuries.

Knee Sports Injury Treatment

The knee is frequently affected by athletic injuries.

Specialists may evaluate and treat:

• ACL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Multi-ligament injuries

• Cartilage injuries

• Patellar conditions

• Other sports-related knee problems

Treatment may include activity modification, bracing, physical therapy, rehabilitation or surgery, depending on the injury and individual circumstances. Mayo Clinic also has specialty clinics focused on ACL injuries, meniscus conditions, knee cartilage and multi-ligament knee injuries. 

Shoulder Sports Injury Treatment

Sports involving repetitive or high-demand shoulder movements can result in injuries affecting the shoulder joint and surrounding tissues.

Evaluation and treatment may address:

• Rotator cuff tears

• Shoulder instability

• Labral injuries

• Shoulder dislocation

• Tendon problems

• Sport-specific overuse injuries

Treatment may range from rehabilitation and non-operative care to surgical treatment when clinically appropriate. Mayo Clinic provides specialized shoulder services including rotator cuff and shoulder instability care.

Muscle and Tendon Injuries

Sports medicine specialists may evaluate injuries involving:

• Hamstring muscles

• Quadriceps

• Calf muscles

• Achilles tendon

• Rotator cuff tendons

• Other muscles and tendons

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the injury and may include activity modification, rehabilitation, physical therapy, bracing or other interventions.

Overuse Sports Injuries

Repeated physical activity can sometimes place excessive stress on muscles, tendons, bones or joints.

Examples include:

• Tendinopathy

• Stress-related injuries

• Running-related injuries

• Shin pain

• Repetitive-use injuries

• Sport-specific overuse conditions

Treatment may include activity modification, physical therapy, movement assessment, strengthening and a gradual return to activity.

Sports Injury Diagnostic Imaging

Depending on the injury, diagnostic imaging may include:

• X-rays

• MRI

• CT scans

• Musculoskeletal ultrasound

• Other specialized imaging when clinically indicated

Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine provides diagnostic imaging services including X-ray, MRI, musculoskeletal ultrasound and CT to help evaluate musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. 

Non-Surgical Sports Injury Treatment

Many sports injuries can initially be managed with non-surgical treatment.

Treatment may include:

• Physical therapy

• Exercise rehabilitation

• Activity modification

• Strengthening programs

• Mobility exercises

• Bracing

• Taping

• Medication when appropriate

• Ultrasound-guided injections when clinically appropriate

• Orthobiologic procedures in selected cases

Mayo Clinic offers non-operative sports medicine, physical therapy, diagnostic imaging and orthobiologic services as part of its sports medicine program.

Surgical Sports Injury Treatment

Some sports injuries may require surgical evaluation and treatment.

Surgical care may be considered for selected injuries such as:

• ACL tears

• Meniscus tears

• Multi-ligament knee injuries

• Rotator cuff tears

• Certain elbow ligament injuries

• Significant joint injuries

• Selected cartilage injuries

• Injuries that do not respond adequately to conservative treatment

Mayo Clinic orthopedic surgeons provide operative treatment for sports injuries and use minimally invasive procedures when appropriate.

Sports Injury Rehabilitation

Sports rehabilitation is an important part of recovery following injury or surgery.

A rehabilitation program may include:

• Range-of-motion exercises

• Strength training

• Flexibility exercises

• Balance training

• Functional movement training

• Sport-specific exercises

• Progressive loading

• Gradual return-to-activity exercises

Mayo Clinic physical therapists work closely with physicians to create customized rehabilitation plans for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.

Physical Therapy for Sports Injuries

Physical therapy may help restore:

• Strength

• Flexibility

• Joint movement

• Balance

• Functional performance

• Sport-specific movement

Mayo Clinic physical therapists provide individualized care and may use technologies and equipment such as movement analysis, AlterG treadmill, shockwave and underwater treadmill systems, depending on location and clinical needs. 

Return-to-Sport Planning

Returning to sports too quickly may increase the risk of further injury.

A return-to-sport program may assess:

• Strength

• Mobility

• Balance

• Joint stability

• Functional movement

• Sport-specific performance

• Rehabilitation progress

The goal is to support a gradual and medically appropriate return to physical activity.

Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine includes return-to-sport care as part of its sports medicine services and performance programs. 

Injury Prevention

Sports medicine also focuses on reducing the risk of future injuries.

Prevention strategies may include:

• Proper warm-up

• Strength and conditioning

• Movement assessment

• Appropriate training progression

• Sport-specific conditioning

• Rehabilitation of previous injuries

• Recovery planning

• Injury-prevention programs

Mayo Clinic offers sports injury prevention and performance services designed around the needs and goals of individual athletes. 

Athletic Training

Athletic trainers may work alongside physicians and orthopedic surgeons to provide an extension of sports injury care.

Services may include:

• Injury assessment and triage

• Support during procedures

• Pre-operative care

• Post-operative care

• Casting and splinting

• Concussion testing and treatment support

• Coordination with sports teams

Mayo Clinic's athletic training team works with physicians and orthopedic surgeons and provides services to high school, amateur and professional sports teams in selected areas. 

Sports Injury Treatment for Young Athletes

Children and adolescents require specialized consideration because their bodies are still developing.

Sports injury care may address:

• Acute sports injuries

• Overuse injuries

• Growth-related concerns

• Training-related problems

• Joint and ligament injuries

• Safe return to sports

Treatment is individualized according to the athlete's age, development, injury and activity level.

Concussion and Sports-Related Conditions

Selected sports injuries may involve concussion or other head-related conditions.

Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine provides concussion diagnosis, management and rehabilitation, with evaluation and treatment tailored to the patient's condition. 

Sports Injury Second Opinion

Patients who have already received a diagnosis or treatment recommendation may seek a sports injury second opinion.

The specialist may review:

• MRI scans

• X-rays

• Other imaging

• Previous medical reports

• Injury history

• Previous treatments

• Physical therapy records

• Proposed surgical treatment

A multidisciplinary evaluation can help determine which treatment options may be appropriate for the individual injury.

Multidisciplinary Sports Injury Care

Sports injury treatment may involve several specialists depending on the complexity of the condition.

The care team may include:

• Sports medicine physicians

• Orthopedic surgeons

• Physical therapists

• Athletic trainers

• Radiologists

• Rehabilitation specialists

• Performance specialists

Mayo Clinic describes a team-based approach in which physicians and other specialists work together to evaluate injuries, establish diagnoses and customize treatment plans. 

Post-Surgical Sports Rehabilitation

Athletes recovering from orthopedic surgery may require structured rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation may focus on:

• Restoring joint movement

• Rebuilding muscle strength

• Improving balance

• Functional training

• Sport-specific conditioning

• Progressive loading

• Safe return to sports

The rehabilitation plan is individualized according to the surgical procedure, injury and recovery progress.

International Patients

International patients should provide relevant medical records whenever possible.

Useful documents may include:

• Previous orthopedic reports

• MRI or CT scans

• X-rays

• Previous surgical reports

• Physical therapy records

• Injury reports

• Current medication list

Having previous medical information available may help specialists understand the injury history and previous treatment.

Benefits of Specialized Sports Injury Treatment

Specialized sports injury care may help:

• Diagnose sports injuries

• Identify the extent of an injury

• Develop an individualized treatment plan

• Manage pain and functional limitations

• Restore mobility and strength

• Provide non-surgical treatment when appropriate

• Determine when surgery may be appropriate

• Support structured rehabilitation

• Reduce the risk of recurrent injury

• Support a safe return to physical activity

Why Choose Mayo Clinic for Sports Injury Treatment?

Mayo Clinic provides comprehensive orthopedic and sports medicine care for athletes and physically active individuals. Its Rochester sports medicine program offers services including acute sports injury care, orthopedic surgery, non-operative sports medicine, physical therapy, athletic training, diagnostic imaging, orthobiologics and concussion management. 

Depending on the patient's needs, care can involve specialists from multiple disciplines working together to develop an individualized treatment and rehabilitation plan. 

Cost & Price on Request

Price: Price on Request

The total cost of sports injury treatment depends on the specific injury and services required.

Potential costs may include:

• Sports medicine consultation

• Orthopedic consultation

• Physical examination

• Diagnostic imaging

• Diagnostic testing

• Non-surgical treatment

• Injections or other procedures when appropriate

• Surgical treatment when required

• Physical therapy

• Rehabilitation

• Follow-up consultations

A personalized cost estimate should be requested based on the patient's individual evaluation and treatment plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What sports injuries can Mayo Clinic treat?

Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine treats a broad range of sports and musculoskeletal injuries, including ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff injuries, ligament injuries, muscle and tendon injuries, foot and ankle injuries, shoulder injuries and other sports-related conditions. 

2. Do all sports injuries require surgery?

No. Treatment depends on the type and severity of the injury. Many conditions may be managed with non-operative treatment, physical therapy, activity modification and rehabilitation, while some injuries may require surgery. 

3. How long does sports injury recovery take?

Recovery time varies according to the type and severity of the injury, treatment approach, individual health and rehabilitation progress.

4. Can sports injury treatment help me return to competitive sports?

Yes. When clinically appropriate, sports medicine care can include rehabilitation, functional assessment and progressive return-to-sport planning to support a safe return to activity. 

5. Does Mayo Clinic provide physical therapy for sports injuries?

Yes. Mayo Clinic Orthopedics and Sports Medicine provides physical therapy for musculoskeletal injuries and disorders, with customized rehabilitation plans developed in coordination with physicians. 

6. Can I get a second opinion for a sports injury?

Yes. Patients can seek specialist evaluation of an existing diagnosis, imaging studies, previous treatment and proposed treatment plan to help determine appropriate next steps.

7. How much does sports injury treatment cost?

Price is available on request. The final cost depends on the consultation, diagnostic evaluation, treatment, rehabilitation and follow-up services required.

Product Details

Product Name: Sports Injury Treatment

Hospital: Mayo Clinic – Rochester

Brand: Mayo Clinic

Country: United States

Specialty: Orthopedics

Service Type: Sports Injury Treatment

Dashboard Price: 0

Customer-Facing Price: Price on Request

International Patients: Available

Location: Rochester, Minnesota, USA