Being an athlete is a rewarding experience. The thrill of a hard-earned victory, the satisfaction of pushing past a personal best, and the bonds built through teamwork all make athletics deeply fulfilling for both mind and body. Yet, like any worthwhile pursuit, sports come with risks. From football to basketball, pickleball to dance, every activity carries the potential for injury. That reality shouldn’t deter you from doing what you love—it’s simply a reminder to stay mindful, take precautions, and prioritize injury prevention. The team at Southlake Orthopaedics understands that all physical activity, even the seemingly innocuous ones, comes with innate risks. That’s why we sat down with our very own Dr. Jonathan Isbell, one of our highly trusted orthopedic surgeons, to discuss what you can do to prevent sports-related injuries and explore all the ways Southlake Orthopaedics supports local athletes in the Birmingham area.
Why Proper Conditioning Matters
First, it’s important to understand that while injuries can happen unexpectedly, they can also result from improper training. “Proper conditioning is highly important,” explains Dr. Isbell. “Every athlete, depending on what their sport is, has very specific conditioning that helps them excel at their sport. For example, soccer players; they are running for long periods, non-stop, whereas with football players, their movement tends to be more of short bursts of running or explosive-type plays, so proper conditioning for each of those sports looks very different.”
Dr. Isbell explains that proper conditioning isn’t the only thing that helps with injury prevention in athletes, saying, “It is important to stay adequately hydrated, stretch, and perform proper warm-ups and cooldowns to prevent tendon injuries or overuse injuries, ensuring that muscles are not excessively tight.”
Supporting Young Athletes in the Community
Because training can take so many varied forms, the team at Southlake Orthopaedics is dedicated to being involved in local schools to ensure safety for young athletes. “We work closely with their athletic trainers as well as physical therapists. We’ve also partnered with Hoover Athletics and the Jefferson-Shelby Youth Football League for many years, providing medical coverage to them and the surrounding schools,” says Dr. Isbell. “We work with coaches to make sure that athletes get adequate pre-season conditioning, and we also provide year-round medical care to help athletes get back on the field and return to their pre-injury level of performance.”
Common Sports Injuries We See
Of course, even with the best conditioning possible, injuries may still occur. The most common injuries that Dr. Isbell sees on a regular basis in his young patients are ACL and meniscus tears, labral tears of the hip and shoulder, and a lot of elbow injuries—often from overuse. “The path to getting an athlete back to their sport depends entirely on the injury. Minor injuries may only need supportive care such as rest, bracing, crutches, injections, or physical therapy. More severe injuries, like ACL, meniscal, or labral tears, often require surgery. For these cases, we have a specialized team of surgeons who guide the athlete through the entire process—from the initial injury to surgery and all the way through post-surgical recovery—to ensure they return to their sport safely.”
For almost every injury that Dr. Isbell treats, physical therapy plays a vital role in returning players to their beloved sport. He explains, “Physical therapy is absolutely vital to getting players back to a healthy state, whether they’ve had surgery or not. Therapists help us get their range of motion and strength back in a gradual, progressive way. They are experts at working with athletes on an individualized basis because every athlete, every injury, and every goal is different. Partnering with a physical therapist is key to helping them return to their pre-injury level.”
Individualized Care for Every Athlete
When injuries do occur, Southlake Orthopaedics takes a personalized approach to care. “Individualized care is crucial because we have to consider both the injury and the athlete’s specific situation-their sport, goals, and level of play. A youth athlete, for example, has very different needs than a collegiate athlete, even if they are experiencing the same injury,” says Dr. Isbell. “At Southlake, we have the benefit of extensive experience working with athletes of all ages and levels. We understand from the moment an injury occurs that providing care tailored to their goals is essential for a successful recovery. Our team includes multiple board-certified sports-medicine physicians with deep experience in this field.”
With that, Dr. Isbell emphasizes that because every athlete is different, every athlete recovers differently. “A common misconception is that two athletes with the same injury will have the same recovery. This is simply not the case; injuries and surgeries are not a ‘cookie-cutter’ process. You can’t compare your recovery to others. The body takes time to heal, and my role as a surgeon is to simply put you in the best position to heal. My main message to patients is always the same: You can’t rush this. You have to do it the right way and trust the process and your care team.”
Treating the Whole Athlete, Not Just the Injury
One of the most important things that Southlake does for all athletes is to treat them holistically. “You can’t just see a person as their injury; you have to see them as a whole person. I’ve seen tough athletes shed tears after hearing they need surgery and will miss a season. It’s incredibly difficult news to deliver and to receive,” explains Dr. Isbell. “All of our physicians understand this pain because we’ve worked with this special population for so long. But getting these people back to the sport they love is also one of the most rewarding parts of our job.”
Southlake Orthopaedics: Here for Athletes of All Ages
If you are experiencing a sports-related injury, the sports medicine team at Southlake Orthopaedics is here to help. Dr. Isbell says, “We care for athletes of all ages and activity levels. Being an athlete is a lifelong identity, not something that stops after high school or college. Your sport could be golf, playing with your grandkids, or fishing. We have extensive experience helping all types of athletes and are always happy to help in any way we can.”
Contact Southlake Orthopaedics today to get back to the activity you love sooner. Schedule a consultation or learn more about our sports medicine services by clicking here.
