What is a Sports Medicine Doctor?
If you're coping with a sports-related injury, a sports medicine doctor can be an invaluable resource. Unlike general practitioners, sports medicine doctors focus on preventing and treating injuries caused by exercise and sports.
You can trust a sports medicine doctor to diagnose and treat injuries so you can get back to your active routine safely and efficiently. With their guidance, you can also improve your performance during games and practices.
Types of Injuries Sports Medicine Doctor Treat
Not only will a sports medicine doctor get you on the path to recovery, they'll show you how to care for your injury while still remaining in good physical shape. In most cases, sports medicine doctors support patients with acute and chronic injuries that affect the bones, muscles, and joints. Some of the most common conditions they treat include:
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Shoulder injuries
- Knee injuries
- Ankle and foot injuries
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Tendonitis
- Concussions
Benefits of Seeing a Sports Medicine Doctor
With a sports medicine doctor by your side, you can recover from your injury and return to your sport as soon as possible in optimal shape. They can:
- Diagnose your injury with accuracy
- Pinpoint the root cause of your injury to prevent it from recurring
- Prescribe exercises and medications to restore bone, muscle, and joint functionality
- Reduce the amount of time you spend away from your sport
- Improve your performance in the long run
The good news is sports medicine doctors view surgery as a last resort and will treat you via conservative measures if possible. Most sports medicine doctors take a multidisciplinary approach to care and collaborate with other health care providers like therapists, nutritionists, dieticians, and orthopedic surgeons.
Sports Medicine Doctors Treat Various Patients
Contrary to popular belief, sports medicine doctors treat a variety of patients, not just athletes. You may benefit from one if you'd like to improve your health and wellness, even if you don't play a sport on a regular basis. Since sports medicine doctors are proficient in orthopedic medicine, they can also treat arthritis, twisted knees, sprained ankles, and other sudden injuries.
You may also find a sports medicine doctor helpful if you work a physically demanding job in a field like construction. Sports medicine doctors see adults as well as teens and children.