Understanding Overuse Injuries

Overuse injuries occur when repetitive stress is placed on a muscle, joint, or tendon without adequate recovery time. These injuries are common among youth and adult athletes who train frequently or specialize in a single sport. While overuse injuries can disrupt performance, they are often preventable with the right strategies.

We are dedicated to helping athletes stay in the game safely. Focused on care for athletes, our experts are proud to provide what you need to know about overuse injuries, including signs, prevention, and treatment.

Playing It Safe: Injury Prevention Tips for Weekend Warriors

Weekend warriors are recreational athletes who engage in intense physical activity during their time off—and often face a higher risk of injuries due to irregular training schedules and overexertion. However, with the right approach, you can maintain your active lifestyle while reducing the likelihood of injury.

Our experts believe that prevention is the best medicine. Whether you’re playing sports, running, or exploring the outdoors, these strategies can help you stay safe:

Margaret Morgan, P.A.-C.

Margaret earned her Bachelor of Science in clinical laboratory science at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. She completed her Master of Physician Assistant Studies at the University of North Texas Health Science Center. She joined Dr. Youngman at Carrell Clinic after graduating in 2025.

She is certified in advanced cardiac life support and basic life support. She is a fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Texas Academy of Physician Assistants.

Katie McHugh, P.A.-C.

Katie is a Dallas native who received a Bachelor of Science in kinesiology from Texas A&M University. She then completed her Master of Science in physician assistant studies at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She joined Dr. Waddell in 2025 with 2 years of experience assisting with knee and shoulder surgery.

Lauren Hartzler, P.A.-C.

Lauren received her Bachelor of Science degree in health sciences from The Ohio State University in Columbus. She went on to earn her Master of Science degree in physician assistant studies from Bethel University in Paris, Tennessee, where she also received focused training in surgery. Passionate about orthopaedics, she provides exceptional care—from initial evaluation to surgery and postoperative recovery.

Canon C. Cornelius, M.D.

About Dr. Cornelius

Dr. Canon Cornelius is a fellowship-trained foot and ankle orthopaedic surgeon. He specializes in a variety of procedures and techniques for the foot and ankle as well as other areas of the body to help reduce pain and maximize his patients’ function. Dr. Cornelius takes a conservative approach to care, and he works with each patient to find solutions that help them return to doing what they love most.

James Hartgraves, P.A.-C.

James received his Bachelor of Arts degree in medical humanities at Baylor University in Waco, Texas. He continued on and completed a Master of Science degree in medical sciences at UNT Health Fort Worth. James pursued further education at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, Texas, where he earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies degree.

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