Sports Injury Care: Get Back in the Game Faster
April 14, 2025
As the weather warms up and outdoor activities kick off, athletes, weekend warriors and sports parents alike are eager to get back into action. Whether you’re taking the kids to the baseball diamond or swinging a bat yourself, training for a marathon or joining a recreational soccer league, spring sports come with an increased risk of injuries.
While staying active is great for overall health, sudden increases in activity, improper techniques, or overuse can lead to injuries that sideline athletes of all ages. Fortunately, the experts at Orthopaedic Specialists and Mississippi Valley Surgery Center (MVSC) are here to help — so you or your loved ones can get back in the game.
Understanding sports medicine and common injuries
Sports medicine is a specialized field focused on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. From minor sprains to more severe ligament tears, sports medicine aims to keep athletes performing at their best while minimizing long-term damage. Common spring sports injuries include:
- Sprains and strains – Overstretching or tearing ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains) can happen from sudden movements or poor conditioning.
- Fractures – High-impact sports or falls can lead to broken bones, particularly in the wrists, ankles or collarbones.
- Tendonitis – Overuse injuries like tennis elbow or runner’s knee develop from repetitive stress on tendons.
- Torn ligaments (ACL, MCL, rotator cuff) – These injuries often require surgical intervention, especially in athletes who want to return to full activity.
Preventing sports injuries
Preventing injuries is just as important as treating them. Whether you’re preparing for a new sport or getting back into shape after a long winter, proper training and body care can help keep you in the game. Here are some things to keep in mind:
- Warm up and cool down – Dynamic stretching before activity and static stretching afterward can reduce the risk of injury.
- Strength and conditioning – Building core and muscle strength helps stabilize joints and prevent strains.
- Use proper technique – Working with a coach or trainer ensures that movements are performed correctly, reducing unnecessary stress on joints.
- Listen to your body – Ignoring minor pain can lead to more serious injuries. Rest when needed and seek medical attention for persistent discomfort.
Despite taking these precautions, injuries can still happen. When they do, the team at MVSC is ready to provide expert treatment and care.
Advanced treatment options at MVSC
At MVSC, we provide advanced outpatient treatments that promote faster healing, minimize pain and help athletes return to their sport. Our specialists offer minimally invasive procedures and cutting-edge regenerative therapies tailored to each patient’s needs. Some key treatments include:
- ACL repair – Using minimally invasive arthroscopy, we reconstruct torn ACLs to restore knee stability and mobility.
- Rotator cuff repair – We treat rotator cuff injuries with both surgical and nonsurgical techniques to relieve pain and improve shoulder function.
- Advanced joint preservation – Regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy and cartilage restoration help delay joint deterioration and maintain long-term mobility.
Our outpatient facility ensures high-quality care without a lengthy hospital stay, allowing athletes to recover with minimal disruption. Combined with personalized rehabilitation plans, our approach supports long-term healing and injury prevention.
Meet our sports medicine Specialists
We are proud to have some of the region’s top surgeons from Orthopaedic Specialists treating patients at our facility, including Dr. Kristyn Darmafall and Dr. Tuvi Mendel. Both bring extensive expertise in managing sports-related injuries, offering both surgical and nonsurgical treatments to help patients recover and return to peak performance.
- Kristyn Darmafall, MD is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine. With extensive experience treating sports injuries in young athletes, she focuses on ACL repair, rotator cuff injuries and joint preservation techniques using arthroscopic and minimally invasive approaches.
Dr. Darmafall’s expertise includes advanced shoulder and knee reconstructions, such as open shoulder stabilization and meniscal cartilage transplants. She offers comprehensive care for shoulder, knee and hip injuries, helping athletes get back to doing what they love safely and efficiently.
- Tuvi Mendel, MD, head of Orthopaedic Specialists’ Foot and Ankle Center, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports-related injuries of the foot, ankle, knee and shoulder.
He is known for his expertise in minimally invasive arthroscopic treatments, including rotator cuff repair, joint preservation and robot-assisted knee replacements. Dr. Mendel also excels in reverse total shoulder replacements and is one of Iowa’s most experienced outpatient and robotic joint replacement experts.
When surgery is necessary, Dr. Darmafall and Dr. Mendel utilize the most advanced techniques, often performing outpatient procedures at MVSC, conveniently located in the same medical complex as Orthopaedic Specialists.
Get back in the game with Mvsc
At MVSC, our goal is to help athletes recover quickly and safely so they can return to the activities they love. Our team of orthopaedic experts provides personalized, patient-focused care in a state-of-the-art outpatient setting.
Don’t let an injury keep you on the sidelines. Contact MVSC today to schedule a consultation and take the first step toward a full recovery. Our team is ready to help you heal, regain confidence and get back to doing what you love.