Sports Medicine

What technologies are used to help treat patients?

Computer-based concussion testing: We offer baseline tests of their brain in a healthy state so that, in the event of a concussion, doctors can compare the normal function of their brain with any injury to better help their recover. 

In the event of an immediate concussion concern, our sports medicine department also offers same-day testing as well as a treatment plan including mental and physical rest.

When chronic pain from tendonitis cannot be fixed via regular methods, Adena physicians are able to perform a minimally invasive procedure, which removes scar tissue from your tendon using a type of ultrasound-guided percutaneous needle tenotomy (PCNT) specifically used for treating tendon degradation.

Concussion treatment: If you or your student-athlete receive a concussion, immediate testing and treatment are important. Most concussion issues last around 7-10 days, and treatments include mental and physical rest. That includes no running, jumping, weight lifting, drills, gym class, video games, television, texting, or other tasks that require a lot of focus or concentration. In some cases, athletes are even held from school to allow the brain to rest.

Fracture treatment: Accidents happen, and so do fractured bones. No matter your age, Adena Sports Medicine can provide the best fracture treatment in south central Ohio. A fracture can often be diagnosed with a physical exam. In some cases, an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan may be used. Once a fracture is diagnosed, treatment may include:

• A cast or brace
• Surgery to align the fractured bone (which can include pins, screws or plates to stabilize it)
• Traction therapy, which uses weights, pulleys, or ropes to apply gentle force to the fractured bone
• Physical therapy after the fracture has healed.

Stem cell research for arthritis: Adena Sports Medicine offers stem cell treatment for arthritis, a procedure in which your body's own stem cells are harvested, processed, and injected into arthritic areas. Once placed, the stem cells divide and multiply, helping to regenerate healthy tissue that aids in healing and can lessen pain and loss of movement.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy: Found to be highly effective, platelet-rich plasma, or PRP therapy, is an application of orthobiologics that uses healthy cells to treat damaged or diseased cells in the body. For many patients, PRP therapy can be used in the treatment of common tissue injuries, such as rotator cuff tears, Achilles tendon ruptures, tendinitis, muscle injuries, arthritis-related pain, and joint injuries. With PRP, platelets are drawn from the patient and "super charged" through a centrifuge. They are then injected into that patient's damaged tissue to aid healing and re-growth.

The treatments take place in the exam room, and are applied through an injection. The entire process takes only 30-45 minutes. Some conditions may require several injections to help heal the damaged tissue. Currently, patients with abnormal platelet function or a low platelet count, anemia, cancer, or an infection cannot receive PRP therapy.