5 Reasons to See a Sports Medicine Doctor
- 1. You have an acute sports injury. These are injuries that happen suddenly while you're playing a sport or exercising. Common ones are sprains and strains. ...
- 2. You have a chronic sports injury. These are injuries that develop over time. ...
- 3. You need orthopedic surgery. ...
- 4. You're recovering from a sports injury. ...
- 5. You want to prevent a sports injury.
When should I see a doctor for a sports injury?
A: Sports injuries can be acute, occurring suddenly during exercise, or chronic, developing over time. While both types can be treated at home, if the injury is severe-for example, you think you've broken a bone or there is excessive bleeding-or continues to be painful five days after treatment, you should see a doctor.
What should I look for in a sports medicine doctor?
Also, look for someone who's a member of sports medicine societies, like the American College of Sports Medicine, and has a particular specialty in your injury or prioritizes life to include fitness, especially your preferred activity.
How can I find a local sports-med Doctor?
Q: How can I find a local sports-med doctor? A: You can go to the websites of these two professional organizations, enter your zip code, and see if there's a doctor near you: AOSSM for orthopedic surgeons and AMSSM, for physicians who perform non-surgical treatment of sports injuries.
What is sports-med medicine?
Sports medicine isn't just for chiseled, pro athletes who get carted off the field in need of speedy recovery. Even weekend warriors who experience pain during workouts can take advantage of the techniques sports-med docs use to diagnose, treat and prevent fitness-related ailments.
Why would you see a sports medicine doctor?
Sports medicine focuses on helping people improve their athletic performance (regardless of the level), recover from injury and help to prevent future injuries. Knee, leg, back, shoulder and hand injuries are a few of the common disorders treated.
Which symptom do sports medicine specialists commonly treat?
Sports medicine doctors are orthopedic specialists who work with athletes and those with musculoskeletal injuries. They are trained to address any issue that is associated with sports – everything from joint pain to osteoarthritis to nutrition.
When should I see a doctor for my sports injury?
For lingering or more subtle pain, knowing when to go can be more complicated. In general, when an injury still hurts after resting it, or it feels better until you exercise again, you should make an appointment with your primary care provider or a sports medicine physician.
Should I see a sports medicine doctor or orthopedist?
Orthopedics focuses exclusively on musculoskeletal conditions, while sports medicine can address concerns outside the realm of the musculoskeletal system. A physician in either field may resolve your concerns, but it helps to know the differences between the two when making a choice.
What is the difference between physical therapy and sports medicine?
The difference between sports medicine physicians and physical therapists is that therapists do not attend medical school, so they do not diagnose injuries. Rather, they treat injuries by way of exercise therapy, electrostimulation, and specific stretches to return that athlete to game-ready normal functionality.
What do sports medicine do?
Sports medicine doctors specialize in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of injuries associated with physical activity—from osteoarthritis to tendinitis—as well as sports injuries, such as strained hamstrings and shin splints.
How do I know if an injury is serious?
When to Check With Your DoctorJoint swelling, locking, or instability.Visible deformity or mass in arms, legs, or joints.Inability to fully move a joint, arm, or leg.Inability to stand or walk.Back or neck pain-especially if there is also numbness, weakness, or pain that runs down the arm or leg.More items...•
When should I get an injury check?
Check if you have a sprain or strain you have pain, tenderness or weakness – often around your ankle, foot, wrist, thumb, knee, leg or back. the injured area is swollen or bruised. you cannot put weight on the injury or use it normally. you have muscle spasms or cramping – where your muscles painfully tighten on their ...
How do I prepare for a sports medicine appointment?
Bring a list of any medications, vitamins or herbal supplements the patient is currently taking to the appointment. If the patient is being seen for pain in the lower half of the body (including low back), please have the patient bring/wear shorts and sneakers.
What surgeries are considered sports medicine?
Sports Medicine ProceduresMeniscectomy. Knee meniscectomy is the most common surgical procedure performed on the knee. ... Microfracture. ... Cartilage Repair. ... MPFL Reconstruction. ... Knee Tendon Repair. ... ACL Reconstruction. ... Meniscus Repair. ... Elbow Arthroscopy.More items...
What is non surgical sports medicine?
Nonsurgical sports medicine specialists are medical physicians who specialize in providing nonoperative, or conservative, care for sports-related injuries and conditions, such as sprains, fractures, and concussions.
What is the difference between an athletic trainer and a sports medicine doctor?
Sports medicine refers generically to a broad field of medical practice related to physical activity. There are many health care professionals that practice under the “umbrella” of sports medicine. Athletic training is considered a specialization under this broad health care field.
What does it mean to be specialized in sports medicine?
What is a Sports Medicine Specialist? A physician with significant specialized training in both the treatment and prevention of illness and injury. The Sports Medicine Specialist helps patients maximize function and minimize disability and time away from sports, work, or school.
What is the primary purpose of the Preparticipation health examination of student athletes?
The overall goal of the pre-participation evaluation (PPE) is to help maintain the health and safety of athletes. Its purpose is not to exclude athletes from participation but to promote safe participation. If not cleared, most athletes can be rehabilitated or redirected to another sport.
Who is directly responsible for preventing injuries in any sports program?
Terms in this set (73) The coach is directly responsible for preventing injuries through the application of conditioning programs. The American College of Sports Medicine is the national organization that sets standards for the certification of athletic trainers.
What is an athlete's circle of care?
The Athlete's Circle of Care may include coaches, certified athletic trainers, school nurse, and school administrators, MD's and Physical Therapist. These individuals will be informed of any participation changes following an injury/illness to your child that occurs during a school related athletic activity.
What are the common disorders that sports medicine doctors treat?
Knee, leg, back, shoulder and hand injuries are a few of the common disorders treated. Sports medicine physicians are experts in physical activity, with specialized training in musculoskeletal conditions and the medical concerns of active individuals.
What exactly is sports medicine?
Sports medicine focuses on helping people improve their athletic performance (regardless of the level), recover from injury and help to prevent future injuries. Knee, leg, back, shoulder and hand injuries are a few of the common disorders treated.
What is Penn Orthopaedics?
Penn Orthopaedics has a team of physicians that are specially trained in this specific field. The Penn Sports Medicine team works with patients to develop individualized care plans to help them return to normal activities as quickly as possible.
What do you want to do after a sports medicine residency?
A: Ideally, you want a doctor who, after completing a primary residency, finished additional training through an accredited fellowship in sports medicine. Also, look for someone who's a member of sports medicine societies, like the American College of Sports Medicine , and has a particular specialty in your injury or prioritizes life to include fitness, especially your preferred activity.
How do you know if you have a sports injury?
Signs of acute injuries include bruising, swelling, deformity (such as bone dislocation ), inability to place weight on an area, and sharp pain. Serious acute injuries, like ankle sprains or Achilles tendon ruptures, should be taken to the ER. Chronic, also called overuse, injuries like tendonitis, shin splints, or stress fractures result from repetitive training, improper stretching, or gear problems. They cause dull, persistent aches that gradually worsen. If you're limping, numb, or experiencing less flexibility than normal you should see a doctor.
Can you push through pain while on the elliptical?
It's never a good idea to push through pain while exercising on the elliptical, playing on the soccer field, or doing any other type of physical activity. In fact, doing so can lead to further damage. Mark Klion, M.D., clinical instructor of sports medicine at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine Department of Orthopedics in New York, shares at-home remedies that work plus gives tips on how to find a trusted specialist near you if the aches persist.
