Expert Sports Injury
Care in San Diego

Sports injuries don't just sideline athletes; they can completely derail your active lifestyle. Around 8.6 million sports-related injuries occur annually in the United States, with many athletes waiting too long before seeking a sports injury specialist. This delay often transforms manageable conditions into complex orthopedic problems that require more extensive treatment. Sports injuries are especially frustrating when they linger or impact your performance. 

Whether you're a runner, a surfer, or a weekend warrior, knowing when to see an orthopedic surgeon can make all the difference in your recovery. Continue reading to walk through the most common sports injuries that often require expert orthopedic care, and why early intervention from a top orthopedic surgeon in San Diego could be key to protecting your long-term mobility.

Six Sports Injuries that Require Surgical Treatment

While many athletic injuries heal with rest and physical therapy, some demand more advanced care. The following six conditions typically cross the threshold from conservative treatment to surgical intervention. Recognizing these serious injuries early can prevent permanent damage and help you return to peak performance again: 

1. ACL Tears

A torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) represents one of the most devastating knee injuries athletes face, particularly in pivoting sports like soccer, football, and skiing. When this critical ligament tears, most patients describe hearing a distinctive pop sound followed by rapid swelling and an inability to bear weight properly. Walking becomes difficult, and the knee often feels unstable or gives out during simple movements. 

2. Rotator Cuff Injuries

Common in baseball, tennis, and swimming, rotator cuff injuries affect the group of muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint. These injuries can range from mild inflammation, known as tendonitis, to complete tears of the tendon tissue. Athletes with a rotator cuff injury typically experience persistent shoulder pain that worsens with overhead movements, noticeable weakness when lifting objects, and difficulty sleeping on the affected side. 

3. Meniscus Tears

The meniscus acts as a crucial shock-absorbing cartilage between the thigh and shin bones in your knee. This C-shaped cushion can tear during sudden twisting movements or high-impact activities, particularly in sports like basketball, football, or tennis. After injury, athletes typically experience a clicking sensation during movement, noticeable swelling around the knee, and, in severe cases, a feeling that the knee joint is locked or unable to bend fully. 

4. Stress Fractures

Stress fractures develop when bones can't repair themselves fast enough under repetitive impact, commonly affecting runners, dancers, and military trainees. Unlike traumatic breaks, these hairline cracks form gradually, producing pinpoint pain that intensifies during activity and persists even after rest. Many athletes mistake these fractures for muscle strains and continue training, which can transform a small crack into a complete break. An orthopedic specialist can confirm the diagnosis through specialized imaging, such as MRIs or bone scans, even when X-rays initially appear normal. 

5. Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow develops when tendons on the outside of the elbow become inflamed and damaged from overuse. Despite its name, this condition affects far more people than just tennis players. This painful condition commonly affects individuals who perform repetitive gripping or twisting motions, such as golfers, carpenters, and computer users. The hallmark symptom is pain that radiates from the outer elbow down the forearm, intensifying when you lift objects, shake hands, or even turn a doorknob. 

6. Achilles Tendon Injuries

The Achilles tendon, the thick cord connecting your calf muscles to your heel, is frequently injured in sports that demand explosive movements and sudden stops. Particularly runners and basketball players. These injuries range from painful inflammation to catastrophic complete ruptures, which victims often describe as feeling like being shot in the back of the ankle. Key warning signs include sharp heel pain, noticeable swelling along the tendon, and significant difficulty pushing off the ground or climbing stairs. 

Why Top San Diego Athletes Choose Dr. Samagh: A Look Inside Our Sports Medicine Approach

What sets Dr. Sanjum Samagh's practice apart is his dual expertise in both advanced surgical techniques and cutting-edge regenerative therapies. While many orthopedic surgeons focus exclusively on surgery, Dr. Samagh offers a comprehensive spectrum of treatments. 

For surgical cases, Dr. Samagh offers the latest minimally invasive techniques that reduce recovery time and scarring. He also specializes in innovative non-surgical orthobiologics like:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy: Where Dr. Samagh draws a small amount of your blood, concentrates the healing platelets in a centrifuge, and precisely injects this powerful healing solution directly into injured tissues. 
• Bone marrow concentrate treatments: A treatment that harnesses your body's own stem cells to promote tissue regeneration. 

These regenerative approaches can be particularly effective for chronic tendon injuries, partial tears, and early arthritis, potentially helping patients avoid surgery altogether. 

Where to Find the Best Sports Medicine Doctor in San Diego

At San Diego Performance Orthopedics and Regenerative Therapy, we serve athletes at every level, from pickleball courts to jiu-jitsu mats, surf breaks, skate parks, cycling routes, running trails, and golf courses. 

Dr. Samagh brings world-class training, a minimally invasive approach, and a deep commitment to patient-first care. We don’t just treat the injury; we partner with you on a recovery plan designed to restore strength, prevent re-injury, and get you moving with confidence again. 

At our state-of-the-art orthopedic clinic in Encinitas, we proudly serve the entire North County San Diego area, including Leucadia, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Cardiff, Carlsbad, Oceanside, and Torrey Pines.  

Ready to feel supported from your first visit to the final rehab milestone with the best sports medicine doctor in San Diego?