What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a branch of healthcare focused on diagnosing, treating, and preventing injuries related to physical activity and sports. It combines elements from different medical specialties, such as orthopedics, physiotherapy, kinesiology, nutrition, and exercise, to provide safe and effective care for athletes and physically active individuals.
What Is a Sports Medicine Specialist?
A sports medicine specialist (or sports doctor) is a medical professional who has medical training in the field of sports and physical activity. They will have completed basic training as a medical doctor and have specialized experience in the sports medicine field.Â
Sports medicine professionals work with physicians, trainers, coaches, physical therapists, and other allied health professionals to develop individualized plans that prevent or treat sports-related injuries.Â
They strive to help individuals return to their prior levels of participation as quickly and safely as possible. At the same time, they promote physical activity by providing injury prevention strategies and education about the benefits of an active lifestyle.
Why See a Sports Medicine Specialist
A sports medicine specialist has specific training and experience to help you with sports and exercise-related injuries. They are one of the best specialists to see when you are looking to either diagnose, treat or prevent sports injuries. Together with other physicians, they can provide effective plans to get you back to your physical best.Â
What Are the Common Injuries a Sports Doctor Treats?
Sports doctors treat a vast array of injuries related to sports and physical activity. Listed below are some of the common injuries a sports doctor will treat.
- Sprains and strains
- Torn ligaments and tendons
- Muscle strain and tears
- ACL, MCL, and PCL injuries
- Head injuries, including concussions
- Shin splints
- Fractures of the bone or cartilage
- Stress fractures
- Displaced joints
- Rotator cuff tears
When to See a Sports Medicine Specialist
A sports medicine specialist can help you with acute and chronic injuries. Some of the symptoms that might indicate the need for a sports medicine specialist are listed below.
- Swelling, locking, or instability in your joints
- Uncomfortable pain
- Pain that persists even after treatments such as rest, ice, or pain medicines
- Pain that interferes with daily tasks or sleep
- Injuries to a joint, ligament, tendon, or bone
- Inability to fully move an arm, leg, or joint
- Pain that's concentrated in a particular area and worsens over time or with continued activity.
- Pain, swelling, stiffness, and/or weakness that disrupts your training or sports activity
- Any symptom that affects your training or performance
- Difficulty maintaining or increasing your level of activity as you would like
- You’re unable to stand or walk
What to Expect When You See a Sports Medicine Specialist
Your visit with a sports medicine specialist will allow you to discover your underlying condition. The sports specialist will review your medical history and ask what symptoms you are experiencing, what activities led to the symptoms, and what treatments you’ve tried.
The sports specialist will also perform a physical exam to determine what movements or positions are causing the most pain. They will likely examine the area where the pain is felt and any area that could be contributing to the symptoms.Â
Your sports medicine specialist may also consider using imaging tests such as X-rays or MRI scans to help in the diagnosis or extent of the condition.
Find a sports medicine specialist in your area today if you need help with a sports-related injury!