Prevention and Care for Sports Injuries

Sports Medicine with Dr. Faza

The weather in Florida makes it the ideal place to be involved in year-round sports. This is especially true for student athletes.

Children and young adults enjoy participating in a variety of sports and activities. Unfortunately, an injury can bring that fun and activity to an abrupt halt.

If you have an injury, it is important to get medical care earlier rather than later to prevent further damage. The right treatment can help get you safely back to the sports activities you love.

At Lakeland Regional Health, we have the expertise to care for you. We sat down with sports injury expert physician Dr. Colton Faza to learn more about sports injuries and the care he delivers to his patients on a daily basis.

Colton Austin Faza, MD

Sports Medicine

What are some treatments you use when treating athletes?

Self-care treatments for athletes can include ice, heat, topical ointments, and bracing. Treatments from a medical provider can include splinting and casting for broken bones, physical therapy, oral pain medication, and injections like corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma.

What do you recommend for student-athletes to stay safe on and off the field?

During practice and sport: It’s important to warm up and cool down regularly. Warming up before a game and cooling down afterward help reduce the risk of getting injured. Warmups and cooldowns also help the athlete recover more effectively. Stretching is another important step. It promotes flexibility and helps reduce the risk of injuries. Another way to reduce the risk of injury is using appropriate protective equipment, such as helmets, pads, and eyewear.

When not practicing or exercising: Actions during this time are critical and can significantly affect athletic performance. Things to do include:

Making time for dedicated recovery to stretch and rest.
Getting adequate and regular sleep.
Paying attention to nutrition and making efforts to eat enough and to get the right nutrients.

How do patients get referred to you?

Patients are often referred to me after being injured during practice or a game. I also cover some community events and school sports, so I may see athletes get injured during sport and then follow up with them in a clinic.

About Dr. Faza

Colton Faza, MD, specializes in non-operative sports medicine. He provides care and treatment for a variety of sports-related and musculoskeletal problems, from arthritis to broken bones, concussions, strained tendons, and sprained ligaments. Dr. Faza uses a range of imaging types, such as X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI to diagnose problems. He provides various treatments such as medications, physical therapy, and injections.

For sports medicine care, Dr. Faza talks with patients about diagnosis and treatment options and explains the risks and benefits of different types of care. He enjoys collaborating with patients to determine the best path forward. The goals are to relieve their pain, help them return to their favorite activities, and improve their quality of life.

Dr. Faza also specializes in emergency medicine with an expertise in recognizing and efficiently treating life-threatening conditions as they develop. He applies this expertise in clinic settings and at community and sports events. He is able to quickly recognize and treat serious conditions that require immediate intervention should the need arise.

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Prevention and Care for Sports Injuries

Sports Medicine with Dr. Faza

Colton Austin Faza, MD

About Dr. Faza

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