The term sports medicine doctor is sometimes confusing, and some people are not sure when you should see one. The main goal of a sports medicine specialist is to get people back to the activity they love. You don’t have to be an elite athlete to benefit from seeing a sports medicine doctor.
Sports medicine specialists are doctors who chose to complete additional fellowship training in sports medicine. This is a medical discipline focused on preventing, treating, and managing issues and injuries related to physical activity. They are highly trained in dealing with musculoskeletal injuries, far beyond the education that primary care physicians receive. They are also different than orthopedic surgeons because their training does not focus solely on bones and joints, and they do not perform surgeries.
When to See a Sports Medicine Doctor
There are many reasons to visit a sports medicine doctor. Some of the most common include:
- Concussion evaluation/management
Sports medicine specialists are highly trained to assess and treat concussions. They work together with other doctors, therapists, trainers and coaching staff to determine treatment and any restrictions on activity needed for the best recovery. - Non-surgical treatment for injuries
Approximately 90% of all sports injuries are treated non-surgically. Specialists can recommend the best treatment plan for each patient or decide whether evaluation by a surgeon is warranted. - Return-to-play decisions for injured athletes
After suffering from an injury, it’s important to be cleared to play by a medical professional to avoid setbacks or reinjury. - Assessment of nutrition and performance issues
A sports medicine specialist can identify how nutrition can impact performance and make evidence-based dietary recommendations. - Recommendations for strength/conditioning activities
When engaging in strength or conditioning activities, it’s important to ensure that you are doing so safely. A sports specialist can create a physical activity plan that works for you.
Some of the most common bone and joint injuries treated by sports medicine doctors are:
- Acute injuries (ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee and shoulder injuries, fractures)
- Overuse injuries (rotator cuff problems, Achilles and other forms of tendonitis, stress fractures)
- Tendon and ligament tears
- Chronic conditions in athletes (infectious mononucleosis, diabetes, asthma, gout)
For active individuals, regularly seeing a sports medicine doctor can be what keeps them in the game. However, patients who suffer from any type of muscle or bone injury, even if just from a fall or sudden movement, can benefit from seeing a sports medicine specialist as well.
Sports medicine doctors can also be great allies when it comes to adopting a more active lifestyle. They are focused on a wellness-based model of care and can help those who lead sedentary lives introduce exercise into their daily routines. This can prevent and sometimes reverse chronic medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and high cholesterol.
If you are suffering from an injury or believe you may benefit from visiting a sports medicine specialist, schedule an appointment today.
Dr. Michael Seifert is a board-certified sports medicine specialist at UCF Health in Lake Nona. He enjoys helping the active adult population return to the activities they love by providing the most advanced care and therapies. In his spare time, you can catch him on the soccer field.
