Sports medicine doctors diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries related to physical activity, athletics, and exercise. Professional athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or coaches responsible for a team’s health may work with a sports doctor to make informed decisions about injury care and performance. Here is more information about what a sports doctor does:
Conditions a Sports Doctor Treats
Sports medicine doctors treat a variety of injuries and conditions, mainly musculoskeletal issues, but they also address other physical challenges related to sports and exercise. Here are some common injuries a sports doctor might treat:
Common Injuries
Sprains and Strains: Sports doctors treat ligament sprains and muscle strains caused by overuse, improper technique, or accidents during physical activity.
Joint Injuries: Knee, shoulder, and elbow injuries, such as ACL tears to rotator cuff strains, are caused by sudden jerky movements. A sports doctor may recommend rest, physical therapy, or surgery in severe cases.
Fractures and Dislocations: They assess and manage fractures and displacements, focusing recovery strategies on minimal risk of long-term complications.
Chronic Conditions
Tendonitis and Bursitis: Repetitive motions can inflame the tendons (tendonitis) or the small sacs cushioning your joints (bursitis). Sports medicine doctors can provide strategies to manage these issues and prevent recurrence. Some strategies may include following the R.I.C.E. method or injecting steroids.
Arthritis in Active Individuals: Young athletes can develop arthritis due to wear and tear. Sports doctors provide options to manage pain and maintain mobility, such as physical therapy and anti-inflammatory medication.
Performance-Related Issues
- Overtraining Syndrome: Pushing too hard without taking an adequate recovery period can lead to overtraining syndrome, which sports doctors treat with rest, nutrition, and training adjustments.
- Sports-Related Concussions: Concussions occur during contact sports, potentially causing long-term brain problems. Sports doctors evaluate and monitor concussions to confirm safe recovery and prevent long-term brain damage.
Treatments Offered by Sports Doctors
Sports medicine doctors offer a range of treatments aimed at recovery, rehabilitation, and prevention. These treatments are designed to help patients regain optimal performance while minimizing the risk of future injury.
Non-Surgical Treatments
- Rehabilitation Plans: Personalized physical therapy regimens help strengthen muscles and restore range of motion after an injury.
- Pain Management: Sports medicine doctors may recommend anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections, or topical treatments to alleviate pain and swelling.
- Braces and Orthotics: For issues like joint instability or plantar fasciitis, braces or custom orthotics provide support and aid recovery.
Specialized Non-Surgical Treatments
- Platelet-rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy: This treatment involves injecting concentrated platelets from the patient’s own blood into the injured area. These platelets are meant to encourage faster healing and tissue regeneration, particularly for conditions like tendon injuries or osteoarthritis.
- Stem Cell Therapy: Stem cells are injected into damaged tissues to stimulate repair and healing. This treatment method may help those with chronic joint pain or non-healing injuries.
Prevention and Education
Another role of sports doctors is educating patients about injury prevention and safe training techniques. They evaluate your form and technique in activities to minimize injury risk. They can also create personalized fitness programs that concentrate on proper progression in strength and endurance training.
Consult a Sports Medicine Doctor
If you’re an athlete concerned about injury prevention, a fitness enthusiast recovering from overuse, or a coach keeping your team healthy, working with a sports medicine doctor helps you to manage injuries and focus on improving physical performance. A sports doctor offers a range of treatments, from physical therapy to PRP therapy. Contact a doctor today to learn more about how sports medicine can help you.
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