Spring sports season is here. Fields fill up, schedules get busy, and athletes are excited to get back into competition. But every year, sports medicine specialists see the same pattern—athletes jump back into activity too quickly, and injuries follow.
According to Michael Leddy, MD, a sports medicine and shoulder specialist at Mid State Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center, the early weeks of a season are when many preventable injuries occur.
“Every spring we see athletes who go from limited activity to full competition almost overnight.
The body needs time to adapt. Gradually increasing activity is one of the most important steps athletes can take to avoid injury.”
Dr. Leddy is a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine, arthroscopy, and shoulder reconstruction and he has cared for athletes ranging from youth leagues to professional programs.
Overuse Injuries Are Common in the Spring
Many spring sports involve repetitive movements—throwing, swinging, sprinting, or jumping. When athletes increase their workload too quickly, the muscles, tendons, and joints can become overloaded.
Jamie Rister, MD, who specializes in sports medicine and upper extremity conditions, frequently sees shoulder and elbow issues early in the season.
“For baseball and softball players especially, the shoulder and elbow experience repetitive stress. If throwing volume increases too quickly, irritation and overuse injuries can develop.”
This doesn’t only apply to throwing athletes. Runners, soccer players, and tennis athletes can also develop injuries when training intensity rises faster than the body can adapt.
Movement Quality Matters
While many people associate sports injuries with sudden collisions, many actually develop gradually due to poor mechanics or muscle imbalance.
Jeffrey Garrison, MD, a sports medicine physician at Mid State Orthopaedic, says focusing on movement quality can make a major difference.
“When athletes move efficiently, the body distributes stress better. Good mechanics and proper conditioning help protect joints while also improving performance.”
Strength and stability training—especially for the core, hips, and shoulders—can significantly reduce injury risk throughout the season.
Listen to Early Warning Signs
Athletes are competitive by nature and often push through discomfort, but pain should never be ignored.
“Soreness after activity can be normal, but persistent pain, swelling, or limited range of motion is your body’s way of saying something isn’t right.”
Addressing symptoms early can often prevent a minor issue from turning into a more serious injury that sidelines an athlete for weeks.
Staying Healthy During the Season
The sports medicine team encourages athletes to focus on a few key habits:
- Increase activity gradually at the start of the season
- Warm up properly before practices and games
- Include strength and stability exercises
- Allow time for rest and recovery
- Seek evaluation early if pain develops
“The goal is simple—we want athletes healthy, confident, and able to compete all season long.”
When to See a Sports Medicine Specialist
If pain is affecting performance or not improving with rest, it may be time for a professional evaluation.
The sports medicine team at Mid State Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Center treats athletes of all ages—from youth sports
to competitive athletes—and focuses on helping patients recover safely and return to activity.
To schedule an appointment:
Call 318-473-9556 Or schedule online
Early evaluation and treatment can help athletes recover faster and stay in the game all season long.
