Common examples of musculoskeletal problems include:
- Acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee & shoulder injuries, and fractures)
- Overuse injuries (such as rotator cuff and other forms of tendonitis, stress fractures)
- Medical and injection therapies for osteoarthritis
Sports Medicine Specialists have received additional training in non-musculoskeletal aspects of sports medicine. Common examples include:
- Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) and other head injuries
- Athletes with chronic or acute illness (such as infectious mononucleosis, asthma or diabetes)
- Nutrition, supplements, ergogenic aids, and performance issues
- Exercise prescription for patients who want to increase their fitness
- Injury prevention
- “Return to play” decisions in the sick or injured athlete
- Recommendations on safe strength training and conditioning exercises
- Healthy lifestyle promotion
Sports Medicine Specialists also serve as Team Physicians for local and/or national teams and clubs. These physicians must fulfill published qualifications with the following responsibilities:
- Pre-participation physical examination
- Injury assessment and management
- Care of sports-related and general medical needs of athletes
- Special populations (geriatric, disabled, women, youth, etc.)
- Sports psychology issues
- Education and counseling on illness & injury prevention
- Coordinating care with other members of the sports medicine team to include athletic trainers, physical therapists, personal physicians, an other ancillary personnel of specialty care and rehabilitation.
- Communication with athletic trainers, coaches, school administration, as well as athletes and their families.
Do Sports Medicine Specialists only treat competitive athletes?
No. Sports Medicine Specialists are ideal physicians for the non-athletes as well, and are excellent resources for the individual who wishes to become active or begin an exercise program. For the “weekend warrior” or “industrial athlete” who experiences an injury the same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to return the individual as quickly as possible to full function.
Sports Medicine is a recognized subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Subspecialties and by Medicare.
