Dr. Sarish Sharma – Orthopedic Specialist

Overview

Understanding Joint Trauma

Joint injuries can occur in an instant — a sudden twist on the cricket field, a fall from a ladder, or a collision during sport. They can also develop gradually through repeated overuse over months. Regardless of the cause, joint trauma results in damage to the structures that give a joint its stability and movement: ligaments, tendons, muscles, cartilage, and bone.

Dr. Sarish Sharma's approach to joint trauma is built on accurate clinical diagnosis first — identifying exactly which structure is injured and to what degree — and then deploying the most targeted, least invasive treatment to restore full function. Surgery is always the last resort.

Types of Injuries

Five Types of Joint Injuries We Treat

01

Sprains — Ligament Damage

A sprain occurs when ligaments — the tough bands connecting bone to bone — are stretched or torn. Grade 1 (mild stretch) to Grade 3 (complete tear). Common in the ankle, knee (MCL, LCL), and wrist. Treated with bracing, PRP injections, and structured physiotherapy depending on severity.

02

Strains — Tendon & Muscle Tears

Strains involve damage to tendons or muscles from overstretching or sudden force. Hamstring tears, rotator cuff tears, quadriceps injuries, and Achilles tendon strains are common examples. PRP therapy accelerates tendon healing significantly — often avoiding surgery in partial tears.

03

Dislocations — Bones Out of Place

A dislocation occurs when bones in a joint are forced out of their normal position — most commonly the shoulder, fingers, and kneecap (patella). After reduction (putting the joint back), PRP and targeted physiotherapy restore stability and prevent recurrence without surgery in the majority of cases.

04

Fractures — Acute & Stress

Acute fractures from direct trauma as well as stress fractures from repetitive loading — especially common in patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) or Vitamin D3 deficiency. Managed with immobilisation (plaster, Aircast), bone marrow injection (BMI) therapy for delayed unions, and vitamin supplementation.

05

Cartilage Tears

Meniscal tears in the knee and labral tears in the hip and shoulder are among the most common cartilage injuries — causing locking, clicking, deep joint pain, and instability. Many tears — particularly degenerative ones — respond excellently to PRP injections and targeted rehabilitation without surgery.

Common Presentations

Most Frequently Seen Injuries

ACL Tear

Anterior cruciate ligament tear — the most common serious knee injury in sports like cricket, football, and badminton.

Rotator Cuff Tear

Shoulder tendon tears causing pain, weakness, and inability to raise the arm — from sports, falls, or overuse.

Ankle Sprain

The most common sports injury — lateral ligament sprains causing swelling, bruising, and instability after rolling the ankle.

Meniscal Tear

Cartilage damage in the knee causing pain, locking, and swelling — from a sudden twist or gradual degeneration.

Tennis & Golfer's Elbow

Tendon inflammation at the elbow from repetitive gripping, racquet sports, and overuse — causing outer or inner elbow pain.

Stress Fractures

Hairline fractures from repetitive impact — particularly in athletes with low BMD or Vitamin D deficiency.

Signs & Symptoms

When Should You See a Doctor?

Severe joint pain immediately following a fall, twist, or impact

Rapid swelling around the joint — particularly within the first few hours of injury

Inability to bear weight or significantly reduced range of movement

Locking or catching sensation in the knee — may indicate a meniscal tear

Feeling of instability or giving way — joint feels like it might collapse

Visible deformity or abnormal position of the joint (possible dislocation)

Chronic joint pain that has not resolved with rest after 2–3 weeks

Seek Immediate Care If:

The joint looks visibly deformed, the bone is visible through the skin, there is numbness or loss of feeling below the injury, or you cannot move the joint at all. These may indicate a fracture, open injury, or vascular compromise requiring urgent care.

Treatment Approach

How We Treat Joint Trauma

Acute Care

Immediate Management — Plaster & Aircast

For acute fractures and severe sprains, immediate immobilisation with plaster casts or Aircast bracing protects the injury, reduces pain, and allows initial healing to begin. Dr. Sarish Sharma assesses each injury clinically and selects the most appropriate support based on injury type and severity — avoiding unnecessary casting where possible.

Regenerative

PRP & Growth Factor Injections

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections directly accelerate tissue repair in torn ligaments, tendons, and cartilage by delivering concentrated growth factors to the injury site. PRP therapy can reduce recovery time by 30–50% and frequently allows athletes to avoid surgery entirely for partial tears and moderate ligament injuries.

Fracture Healing

Bone Marrow Injection (BMI) Therapy

For delayed union or non-union fractures — bones that are not healing at the expected rate — intra-fracture bone marrow injection delivers stem cells and growth factors directly into the fracture site. This stimulates natural bone regeneration without surgery. Particularly effective when combined with Vitamin D3 and B12 supplementation to address underlying deficiencies.

Rehabilitation

Structured Physiotherapy & Return to Sport

Injection therapy and immobilisation alone are not enough. Targeted physiotherapy rebuilds the strength, proprioception, and movement patterns needed to protect the healed joint long-term. Dr. Sarish Sharma coordinates personalised rehab programmes with clear return-to-sport milestones — ensuring athletes return fully prepared, not just pain-free.

Recovery

The Road Back to Full Function

1

Day 1

Clinical Assessment & Diagnosis

Dr. Sarish Sharma examines the injury clinically. Treatment begins the same day — immobilisation, injection, or both. No unnecessary delays waiting for reports.

2

Week 1–2

Protection & Pain Control

RICE protocol, bracing or casting, and anti-inflammatory injections to manage acute swelling and pain. PRP therapy initiated for ligament and tendon injuries.

3

Week 2–6

Early Rehabilitation

Progressive physiotherapy begins as acute symptoms settle — range of motion exercises, gentle strengthening, and proprioception training to restore stability.

4

Month 2–4

Strength & Function

Advanced strengthening, sport-specific drills, and functional movement patterns. Most non-surgical patients achieve full function by this stage.

5

Month 4–6+

Return to Sport / Full Activity

Clearance based on functional strength testing, not just symptom resolution. A gradual return programme prevents re-injury and builds long-term resilience.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an MRI before coming for a joint injury consultation?

No. Dr. Sarish Sharma uses a clinical-first approach — he can diagnose most joint injuries accurately through examination of your symptoms and physical assessment. Bring any reports you have, but do not delay your appointment waiting to get an MRI. If imaging is genuinely needed to confirm a diagnosis or plan treatment, he will advise you specifically — not as a routine.

Can ligament tears heal without surgery?

Many ligament injuries — including partial ACL tears, MCL tears, ankle ligament sprains, and shoulder instability — heal very well without surgery using PRP injections, bracing, and targeted physiotherapy. Complete tears in high-demand athletes may require surgical reconstruction for optimal outcome. Dr. Sarish Sharma evaluates each injury individually — surgery is only recommended when conservative management is unlikely to restore adequate stability for the patient's activity level.

How does PRP help joint injuries heal faster?

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) is prepared from the patient's own blood — a small sample is spun in a centrifuge to concentrate the platelets, which are packed with growth factors. When injected directly into a torn ligament, tendon, or damaged cartilage, these growth factors stimulate cell proliferation, collagen synthesis, and tissue repair at an accelerated rate. Clinical studies show PRP can reduce recovery time by 30–50% compared to rest alone.

When is surgery actually necessary for joint trauma?

Surgery is necessary when: the injury involves a complete structural failure that cannot heal conservatively (e.g., complete ACL tear in a competitive athlete), there is a mechanical block to movement (locked knee from a bucket handle meniscal tear), progressive neurological symptoms are present, or conservative management has failed after an adequate trial. Dr. Sarish Sharma is transparent about when surgery is genuinely needed and never recommends it prematurely.

Can I continue playing sports with a joint injury?

It depends entirely on the injury type and severity. Mild sprains may allow a modified return to sport within days with appropriate bracing. More significant injuries require a complete rest and rehabilitation period first. Playing through a significant joint injury risks converting a manageable injury into a more serious one. Dr. Sarish Sharma provides clear guidance on activity modification and safe return timelines for every patient.

Joint Trauma Care