Sports Injury Clinic in Johor Bahru

Most sports and activity injuries can be assessed and started on treatment by a GP. Common examples we see from futsal, badminton, running, gym training and weekend football: • ankle and knee sprains (ligament injuries), including twisting injuries of the knee — see knee pain; • muscle strains such as hamstring, calf and groin strains; • bruises and contusions from contact sports; • overuse problems such as tendon pain (Achilles, patellar, tennis elbow), plantar fasciitis and shin pain; • shoulder pain from overhead sports or the gym — see shoulder pain; • back pain after lifting or training; • minor cuts and grazes that need cleaning or dressing. The aim of the first visit is to work out what has been injured, rule out anything that needs urgent or specialist care (such as a fracture or a complete tendon rupture), and give you a clear plan for the next few weeks.

The doctor asks how the injury happened — a twist, a direct blow, a sudden pain while sprinting, or pain building over weeks — and whether you could walk or carry on playing afterwards. That history is often the most useful part of the assessment. The examination checks swelling, bruising, tenderness over specific bones and tendons, range of movement, strength, joint stability, and the circulation and sensation beyond the injury. An X-ray is only useful when a fracture is possible — for example bone tenderness at particular points of the ankle or foot, being unable to take four steps, or a deformity. Klinik Muhibbah has X-ray on site, so this can usually be done during the same visit. Many soft-tissue injuries, such as ligament and tendon injuries, do not show on X-ray; if one is suspected to be serious, the doctor may refer you for an ultrasound or MRI through a specialist. Treatment usually includes pain relief, advice on protecting and then gradually loading the injured area, strapping or a support where it helps, and a referral to physiotherapy when guided rehabilitation will speed recovery. A medical certificate can be issued if the doctor assesses that you are unfit for work.

For a typical sprain or strain: • Protect and rest the injured area for the first day or two — avoid activities that cause sharp pain, but do not keep it completely still for long. • Use an ice pack wrapped in a towel for up to 20 minutes every 2–3 hours in the first days. • A compression bandage and keeping the limb raised can help reduce swelling. • Avoid heat, alcohol, massage and running for the first few days, as these can increase swelling. • Simple painkillers such as paracetamol can help; check with a doctor or pharmacist before using anti-inflammatory tablets if you have stomach, kidney or heart problems, asthma, or take blood thinners. After the first few days, gentle movement and gradually increasing load usually help healing more than prolonged rest. If the injury is not clearly improving after a few days, or you cannot put weight on it, see a doctor.

Return to sport should be based on function, not just the date. Before going back to full training you should usually have near-normal movement and strength compared with the other side, and be able to run, jump, twist or lift (depending on your sport) without pain or giving way. Returning too early is one of the main reasons injuries recur. The doctor or physiotherapist can give you a graded plan. For school, club or competition requirements, a pre-participation sports check or a fitness letter can be arranged after assessment. After any head knock with symptoms — headache, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, nausea — do not return to play the same day. Concussion needs a gradual, symptom-guided return and a medical review before contact sport.

Call 999 or go straight to a hospital emergency department for: • an obvious deformity, a bone through the skin, or a joint that looks dislocated; • a cold, pale, numb or very swollen limb beyond the injury; • a head injury with loss of consciousness, repeated vomiting, seizure, worsening headache, confusion or drowsiness; • neck injury with neck pain, numbness or weakness in the arms or legs — keep the person still; • chest pain or collapse during exercise. Klinik Muhibbah is a GP clinic and is not open 24 hours — see opening hours below. See also fractures.