What Does a Sports Medicine Doctor Do?

A sports medicine doctor performs many tasks, including treating musculoskeletal injuries and non-orthopedic disorders. They can also work in clinics, as team physicians, or in a sporting event venue. 

Treatment of Non-Orthopedic Disorders

Whether amateur or professional, a sports medicine doctor can help you treat your injuries. The doctor is trained to diagnose conditions and perform surgeries. For example, they can treat broken bones and torn ligaments. However, it is essential to choose you’re medical based on your needs and ask about their specialties before your first appointment.

Treatment of non-orthopedic disorders is also a specialty of sports medicine doctors. While some specialize in surgery, others focus on non-surgical methods to treat non-orthopedic conditions. Orthopedics focuses on musculoskeletal injuries, including broken bones, arthritis, and other physical ailments. Surgical treatments may repair fractures, improve performance, or prevent further damage.

Treatment of Concussions

After an athlete suffers a concussion, treatment usually involves several sessions of physical therapy. Depending on the severity of the injury, recovery can take between seven and 21 days. The Best Sports Medicine Doctor can prescribe appropriate treatment and monitor the athlete’s progress. Sometimes, a physician may recommend medication changes or schedule physical therapy sessions twice or thrice a week. Proper management of concussions is essential for minimizing long-term consequences.

A sports medicine doctor will first perform a physical examination to determine the injury’s severity and the proper course of treatment. He will also ask questions about the nature of damage and symptoms and previous brain injuries and symptoms. In some cases, the sports medicine doctor may order an MRI to determine the exact location of the injury.

Treatment of Ankle Sprains

Depending on the degree of injury, there are several ways to treat ankle sprains. The first step is to see a sports medicine doctor to determine the best course of treatment. A doctor will do a physical examination and obtain images with x-rays or CT scans. A doctor may prescribe a walking boot or crutches if the injury is severe. Fortunately, most minor sprains do not require surgery and can heal properly.

Treating ankle sprains by a sports medicine doctor should include rest and rehabilitation exercises, which can help restore the ankle’s range of motion, strength, and stability. Patients may also benefit from balance training, which helps retrain the muscles to work together to help stabilize the ankle and prevent injury recurrence.

Treatment of Tendons

A sports medicine doctor can diagnose and treat many joint tendons injuries. For mild injuries, the initial treatment is RICE, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This will reduce inflammation and allow the body to heal itself. Generally, patients will feel better within a couple of weeks. However, sufficient time for the tendon to heal is essential before resuming physical activity.

Depending on the nature and severity of the tendinopathy, treatment options can vary greatly. Ice, compression, and painkillers are possible initial therapies. Shockwave therapy or surgery may be necessary for more challenging situations. An adequately structured rehabilitation program should be followed to help the athlete recover.

Treatment of Ligaments

Ligaments are the rugged bands of connective tissue that surround the bones in the joints. When they become damaged, they can cause instability and pain. Most commonly, ligament injuries result from sports-related injuries. Torn ligaments can cause severe limitations in knee and leg movement. Unfortunately, the only way to repair them is to undergo surgery. Surgery is usually necessary if the ligaments cannot heal on their own.

If you suspect you have injured a ligament, you should visit a sports medicine doctor for a thorough assessment. First, the doctor will ask you about the injury, the degree of the pain, and how it occurred. Then, they will perform a physical examination of the injured area and may serve an MRI to determine whether the ligament is damaged.

Treatment of Joints

A sports medicine doctor can diagnose and treat your sports-related joint problems. They have advanced training and experience in joint replacement surgery. During a consultation with a sports medicine doctor, you can learn more about the different treatments that can be applied to your joints. These treatments may include physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs. However, joint replacement surgery is only recommended if the condition is too severe to be treated conservatively.

A sports medicine physician may treat joint pain using a minimally invasive arthroscopy treatment. With this treatment, your doctor can view your joint and diagnose it quickly. In addition, herniated discs and bone spurs are removed by arthroscopy.