Top Sports Injuries We See in Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch & Venice

Living in Southwest Florida makes it easy to stay active all year long. Residents of Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice often enjoy outdoor activities such as golf, tennis, pickleball, running, and regular gym workouts. While staying active supports overall health, it can also increase the likelihood of sports and activity-related injuries.

Unlike colder climates where sports are seasonal, Florida’s warm weather allows for year-round recreational and athletic activity, which means orthopedic specialists often see sports injuries throughout the entire year.

In addition to recreational activities, local high schools in the Sarasota, Venice, and Lakewood Ranch area participate in spring sports such as baseball, softball, lacrosse, tennis, track and field, and beach volleyball. These sports involve running, throwing, jumping, and repetitive movements that can place stress on joints and soft tissues.

At 360 Orthopedics, our physicians regularly treat athletes and active adults experiencing sports-related injuries so they can recover safely and return to their normal activities.

Most Common Sports Injuries We Treat

Sports injuries can affect many different areas of the body, including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. Some injuries happen suddenly during activity, while others develop gradually due to repetitive motion.

Rotator Cuff Tears

The rotator cuff is a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint and help control arm movement. Tears can occur from acute injuries such as falls or from repetitive overhead movements often seen in tennis, swimming, and weightlifting. Symptoms may include shoulder pain, weakness, and difficulty lifting the arm.

Shoulder Instability

Shoulder instability occurs when the shoulder joint becomes loose or repeatedly slips partially or completely out of place. This can develop after a shoulder dislocation or from repetitive overhead activity in sports such as baseball or volleyball.

Tennis Elbow / Golfer’s Elbow

These conditions are forms of tendonitis caused by repetitive strain on the forearm muscles that attach near the elbow. Despite the names, they are not limited to tennis or golf and are commonly seen in pickleball players, golfers, and individuals performing repetitive gripping activities.

Wrist and TFCC Injuries

The triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) is a structure that stabilizes the wrist joint. Injuries to the TFCC often occur from falls onto an outstretched hand, twisting motions, or repetitive loading of the wrist. Symptoms may include wrist pain, clicking, or decreased grip strength.

Hand Fractures and Tendon Injuries

The hand contains many small bones and tendons that allow for precise movement and grip strength. Fractures or tendon injuries can occur during falls, sports contact, or activities that involve strong gripping or impact.

ACL Tears

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key ligaments that stabilizes the knee. ACL tears commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops, pivoting, or jumping movements such as soccer, basketball, and lacrosse.

Meniscus Injuries

The meniscus is cartilage in the knee that acts as a cushion between the thigh bone and shin bone. Meniscus tears can occur during twisting motions or sudden changes in direction and are common in both athletes and active adults.

Hip Labral Tears

The hip labrum is cartilage that surrounds and stabilizes the hip joint. Tears may develop due to repetitive motion, trauma, or structural abnormalities in the hip joint. Patients may experience hip pain, stiffness, or a clicking sensation.

Ankle Sprains

Ankle sprains occur when the ligaments surrounding the ankle are stretched or torn, typically from rolling or twisting the ankle. They are one of the most common sports injuries and frequently occur during running, jumping, or uneven footing.

Achilles Injuries

The Achilles tendon connects the calf muscles to the heel bone. Injuries may include tendonitis caused by overuse or partial or complete tears of the tendon. Running and jumping activities can increase the risk of Achilles injuries.

Stress Fractures

Stress fractures are small cracks in a bone that develop from repetitive impact over time. They commonly occur in the foot or lower leg in runners and athletes participating in high-impact activities.

Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries develop gradually when repetitive movement places ongoing stress on muscles, tendons, or joints without sufficient recovery time. These injuries are increasingly common among pickleball players, golfers, runners, and gym-goers in the Sarasota area.

When Should You See a Specialist?

While minor aches and soreness may improve with rest, some symptoms may indicate a more significant injury that should be evaluated by a specialist.

• Persistent pain that does not improve with rest
• Swelling around a joint or injured area
• Joint instability or a feeling that the joint may give out
• Limited range of motion or stiffness
• Pain that interferes with sleep or daily activities
• Difficulty bearing weight or returning to activity
• Numbness, tingling, or weakness following an injury

Early evaluation can help identify the cause of symptoms and prevent further damage.

Treatment Options at 360 Orthopedics

At 360 Orthopedics, our physicians provide a wide range of treatment options for sports injuries and orthopedic conditions throughout Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy services are available at all three locations and focus on improving strength, flexibility, and stability to support recovery and safe return to activity.

Sports Medicine

Sports medicine care is provided by Dr. Julie Barre in Venice and Dr. Steven Page for patients in Sarasota and Lakewood Ranch.

Image-Guided Injections

Our spine and pain management team, including Dr. Douglas Constant, Dr. Ashot Kotcharian, and Dr. Justin Raye, provide image-guided injections that may help reduce inflammation and manage certain orthopedic conditions.

Minimally Invasive Procedures

When appropriate, physicians at 360 Orthopedics may recommend minimally invasive surgical procedures that use smaller incisions and specialized techniques.

Hand and Wrist Care

Specialized care for hand and wrist injuries is provided by Dr. Gregory Farino, who treats conditions affecting the hand, wrist, and upper extremity.

Foot and Ankle Care

Foot and ankle injuries are treated by Dr. Michael Clare, who specializes in conditions affecting the foot and ankle.

Joint Replacement

For advanced joint damage or arthritis, Dr. Jeffrey Silverstein and Dr. William A. Mahoney perform joint replacement procedures to help restore mobility and reduce pain.

Pain Management

Our pain management team, including Dr. Douglas Constant, Dr. Ashot Kotcharian, and Dr. Justin Raye, offers treatments to help patients manage chronic pain and improve quality of life.

Schedule an Appointment

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort related to sports or physical activity, early evaluation can help support recovery and prevent further injury.

The physicians at 360 Orthopedics provide comprehensive orthopedic care for patients throughout Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice.

To schedule an appointment, contact our team today.