Trauma Implants in Sports Medicine
It would be an understatement to say that trauma implants are revolutionizing sports medicine. That is how much of an impact they are having on the athletes’ recovery and performance.
Injuries are extremely common in the field of sports. Sports medicine traditionally focuses more on rehabilitation techniques, physical therapy, and non-surgical treatment methods to help sportspersons recover from their injuries. Regardless of whether it was strains and sprains or more severe injuries, there was a heavy reliance on the body’s natural healing process.
However, that is not the case anymore, especially given the emphasis on faster recovery and performance enhancement of sportspersons. The innovations in spine and orthopedic trauma implants and fast-paced improvements in implantation technologies are revolutionizing the ever-evolving realm of sports medicine.
In this blog, we will delve into how these implants help accelerate athlete recovery processes and how they are revolutionizing sports medicine.
What are Trauma Implants?
Trauma implants are medical devices used by surgeons to stabilize, fix, and treat traumatic injuries such as fractures, damaged/broken bones, dislocated joints, etc. Orthopedic trauma or traumatic injuries are commonly caused by external force such as falls, violent attacks, accidents, wear & tear, etc., causing damage to the organs in the musculoskeletal system.
Types of Orthopedic Trauma Implants
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- Locking plates and non-locking plates are used for internal fixation of the broken/ damaged/ fractured parts. They come in multiple forms and configurations, providing stability and enabling bone healing.
- Bone screws are spine & trauma implants used in orthopedic & spinal surgeries to reduce the gaps between bones in the site of the traumatic injury. Available in different types and configurations, they may be used with or without bone plates. Bone screws effectively reduce the gaps between bones, aiding the healing process while immobilizing the affected bones.
- Interlocking nail systems are leveraged by surgeons for the repair of damage/ fracture in long bones such as the femur, tibia, humerus, etc. These implants help by immobilizing the site of the traumatic injury and providing stability.
- External fixation implants such as rods, screws, clamps, etc. are used externally by surgeons to ensure proper healing of the traumatic injury.
- Prostheses or artificial limbs are used when an individual loses a limb owing to a traumatic injury.
Trauma Implants’ Role in Sports Medicine
Trauma, in the context of sports medicine, is any physical injury or damage caused by falls, slips, twists, collisions, sudden actions, forceful impacts or incidents during sports/ physical activities. They could impact various parts of the individual’s body including their bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. Trauma in sports medicine is characterized as acute and chronic trauma.
Acute trauma is a result of sudden or severe injuries that occur instantly or over a short period of time such as injuries from a fall or accident. These include fractures, dislocations, tears, injuries, sprains, strains, etc. Chronic trauma is often caused by repetitive long-term action, resulting in overuse of a particular area. These chronic or overuse injuries are often worsened by bad technique and wrong action. Chronic trauma in sports medicine includes tennis elbow, runner’s knee, Achilles tendon injuries, etc.
Trauma implants are extensively used in sports medicine, primarily due to the high frequency of sports injuries of both the acute and chronic kinds. Here is how they help in improving the quality of life and performance of sportspersons.
Repair and Reconstruct Affected Parts
Implants used in the treatment of traumatic sports injuries are primarily used to repair and reconstruct broken/ damaged/ fractured bones, joints, etc. In doing so, surgeons restore the structural integrity of the affected area, facilitating faster, more successful recovery. This, in turn, will help the sportsperson return to the sport sooner.
Improved Stability
Whether it is bone plates, screws, nails, or wires, they help immobilize the affected area while it is healing. By securing the bones and stabilizing them, these implants ensure faster healing and reduction of pain. They also help in reducing the chances of re-injury.
Precisely Align Affected Bones
Bone trauma implants such as plates, screws, and pins are used to precisely align broken/ damaged/ dislocated bones and joints caused by sporting trauma. By effectively aligning the affected areas, surgeons enable sportspersons to reduce pain (especially from chronic trauma), have greater mobility, and improve their performance.
Enhancing Performance Beyond Recovery
The role of trauma implants in sports medicine isn’t limited to injury recovery; they are proactively used for enhancing the performance of athletes. Wear & tear, overuse, and bad technique cause chronic sports injuries and pain which limit the performance of athletes. These implants help address the underlying cause of the pain, not only preventing the risk of injuries but also improving the athlete’s performance.
With further advancements in wearables and implant technology, the day isn’t far when we will have real-time data on muscle performance, joint health, metabolic processes, and much more. This will enable sportspersons and their medical teams to further optimize their training and prevent injuries.
Joint Preservation and Replacement
For athletes experiencing conditions such as arthritis or severe joint damage, orthopedic implants such as prostheses are highly beneficial in the preservation and replacement of the bones/ joints. These interventions relieve the athlete’s pain and restore function, enabling them to continue their careers.
The Innovations in Implants Reshaping Sports Injury Treatment
Continuous innovation and advancement in trauma implants and implant technology have significantly impacted the field of sports medicine. Here are some noteworthy innovations.
Biocompatible Materials: The emergence and wide use of biocompatible materials, such as surgery-grade titanium, titanium alloys, performance polymers, etc. have revolutionized the treatment of sports injuries. These materials are durable, strong, and highly compatible with the human body, reducing the risks of infections, complications, rejections, or implant failures. This way, the need for further surgical and medical attention is reduced, and the athlete can concentrate on their performance and career.
Minimal Invasive Techniques: In comparison to traditional open surgeries, the increasingly popular minimally invasive techniques require much smaller incisions and cause less trauma to surrounding soft tissues. This leads to faster healing and recovery, improved accuracy in placement, and fewer post-surgical complications.
Patient-Specific Implants: Customization is becoming increasingly popular in the field of trauma implants as it enables surgeons to create tailored, accurate implants matching the unique anatomical structure of the patient. This ensures optimal fit, greater stability, quicker healing, and fewer complications.
Improved Fixation Mechanisms: Continuous improvements in implant designs and implant technology enable safer, more precise surgeries, ensuring better surgical outcomes and improved fixation.
Gesco: The Home of Superior Quality Medical Devices
Gesco is one of the leading trauma implant manufacturers in India, trusted by a global clientele. Our wide range of premium-grade implants are enabling orthopedic and spine surgeons to treat sports injuries and improve the quality of lives of several athletes.
Visit our website to delve into the world of top-notch, innovative trauma implants.
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