If you have a severe sports injury, a musculoskeletal injury that doesn’t seem to be healing, or you just want to improve your overall performance and fitness level in a safe way, then it may be time to seek the specialized knowledge of a sports medicine doctor.
Sports medicine is a relatively new specialty area within orthopedic medicine. Originally, it was developed to provide high-quality, specialized medical care for professional and collegiate athletes, but now it goes beyond that.
What Is Sports Medicine?
A sports medicine doctor is devoted to working with any individual who:
- Has a sport- or exercise-related injury
- Is looking to improve overall fitness and well-being
- Wants to prevent getting injured in their sport of choice
- Is looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle
Role of a Sports Medicine Doctor
Sports medicine physicians are fully equipped to diagnose and treat a range of different sports injuries and conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, which includes the bones, tendons, ligaments, cartilage, muscles, and supportive tissues and systems. If you have a sports-related injury, a sports medicine doctor will thoroughly evaluate your pain level, range of motion, and function – and may request diagnostic imaging in order to make an accurate and complete diagnosis.
Their expertise often lies in nonsurgical treatment methods and preventive care to help individuals return to their original health and continue playing their sport. Sports doctors have a number of responsibilities, which include:
- Diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries
- Designing a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan
- Regularly evaluating and monitoring a patient’s condition/injury
- Prescribing medication
- Working with other health professionals as necessary (such as physical therapists)
- Therapeutic modalities
- Patient education
Personalized Orthopedic Treatment Plans
Your sports medicine doctor will work with you to create a comprehensive, personalized plan that fits into your lifestyle and is tailored to your individual needs and preferences. It may include therapeutic and strengthening exercises for injury-prone areas, advice on injury prevention, nutritional advice, and referrals to other medical specialists for further assessment and treatment.
Sports medicine doctors have a specialized understanding of the impact of each individual sport on the human body, which means that treatment and exercise plans are tailored around the individual’s strengths and weaknesses. Their in-depth understanding of how the body moves during a particular sport means appropriate advice and instruction can be given to prevent future injuries or reinjury.
Special Treatment for Sports Injuries
Sports medicine doctors treat orthopedic (musculoskeletal) injuries and conditions of all kinds, whether the patient is an athlete or not. Common injuries seen by a sports medicine specialist include:
- Shoulder injuries
- Elbow injuries (especially seen in golfers, pitchers, and tennis players)
- Knee injuries (usually a torn ACL, PCL, or meniscus)
- Ankle injuries
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Sprains and strains
Many sports and exercise injuries can be resolved with nonsurgical treatments such as physical therapy. Serious injuries may require surgical intervention.
Sports Medicine in Watertown, New York
Here at North Country Orthopaedic Group, we aim to provide our patients with world-class orthopedic and sports medicine care. We perform many minimally invasive surgeries and have trained specialists who focus on nonsurgical methods for sports-related injuries.
If you would like more information about the medical services we offer, call us today at (315) 782-1650 or request an appointment via our online form now. We look forward to getting you back up and running!
