What Does a Sports Medicine Doctor Do?

Rohan Mathew

Updated on:

Who does not love to be in the best shape? The flawless figure and the rigorous muscles are often the results of either serious gyming or involvement in some sort of sport. A physically active individual has to take care of his/her mind, body, and diet. Fitness is essential to all, be it a teenager or an adult and even senior citizens. Physical fitness regimes come with a risk of potential injuries called sports injuries and they are not limited to cause only by sports but also by regular physical activities such as twisting an ankle during a morning run.

Sports injuries bring serious and excruciating pain. Consulting a doctor right away is necessary. But the question is which doctor to consult? An orthopedic, General MD, or a physiotherapist? The answer is none. One must consult a certified sports personnel a.k.a. Sports Medicine Doctor.

Click here – How to be a Good Defense Lawyer

Who is a Sports Medicine Doctor?

A sports medicine doctor is a healthcare practitioner who specializes in treating people with sports injuries. Common Sports injuries are Ankle sprains, Concussions, Fractures, etc. There is no specific college or degree for becoming a sports medicine doctor. An individual with a degree in orthopedic and a postgraduate MD can go for 1-2 year of sports medicine fellowship and starts practicing. It is the experience of a doctor who has dealt with sports injuries which let’s know their rank as a sports medicine doctor.

Another important factor is that a sports medicine doctor will always recommend and specialize in alternative forms of treatment to cure the injury rather than following the surgical procedure. This points out the main difference between the sports medicine doctor and a general orthopedic doctor. The former focuses on regaining the functionality of the injured organ by alternative means keeping surgery as the last resort while the latter is a surgeon who will opt for surgery as the quick fix.

What Does a Sports Medicine Doctor Do? 

The main focus of this profession includes working closely with athletes on a variety of issues in different settings. Sports medicine physician is highly trained to address issues not only associated with physical injuries but also with nutrition and sports psychology to prevent any severe future complications and injury. Sports physicians often work in collaboration with physical therapists and athlete’s coaches to understand their patients’ detailed sports profiles. Since surgeries are never recommended at first, sports doctor along with the help of a coach and physiotherapist develops custom scheduled exercise regimes to promote faster healing. Sports Physicians are often equipped with a unique perspective on evaluating and treating athletes. The custom creates a treatment plan for each patient depending on the severity of the injury and will get you participating in the athletic activities you love once again.

Click here – How to Calculate Personal Injury Damages | Beginner’s Guide

Sport’s Doctors job duties include:

  • Diagnosing and treating Sports injuries
  • Designing treatment and healing strategies
  • Keeping a record of the recovery progress by consulting with patients periodically
  • Prescribing medication if necessary

Sports medicine Physician’s Workplace

Sports medicine doctors usually work in a variety of environments. They often have their practice in private clinics with nurses and assistants working under them. Except for that, Sports Physicians are hired in high schools, colleges, universities as professors or researchers, Sports organizations, and even sometimes by physical therapy experts. Physical therapists and sports physicians often collaborate to establish a joint practice workplace.

Their offices are usually comfortable places and sports medicine doctors are only doctors who are not stressed out all the time by bustling ER halls. They are least stressed out among any types of medical doctors.

What are the common injuries does sports medicine doctor treats?

  • Ankle sprain- These are one of the most common sports injuries. Ankle sprains occur when the ankle is twisted beyond the normal range causing the band of ligaments that hold the ankle joint together to tear a little.
  • Fracture- Contact sports like football, basketball, etc. have likely chances where an athlete can fall. The heavy falls can sometimes be causing the bone to crack. This partial or complete breakage of bone is called Fracture.
  • Knee and shoulder injury- The rotator cuff tears in the shoulders and the dislocation of knee joints are yet another common sports injuries for which consulting a sports doctor is often advised.
  • Tendonitis- Tendonitis is inflammation or irritation of a tendon — the thick fibrous cords that attach muscle to bone. This can happen anywhere in the body. For example: Getting a Tennis elbow means irritation or inflammation of the tissue connecting the forearm muscle to the elbow.
  • Exercise-induced asthma- Shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing right after exercise causes the narrowing of the airways. Medically it is better-called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction.
  • Concussion- They might occur during contact sports when the brain is harshly moved within the skull causing headaches, dizziness, and fatigue.

Where to find a great Sports Medicine doctor?

Sports medicine doctor in Fort Myers, FL is one destination for finding all your sports injury-related tips and treatments. Sports medicine doctors not only treat athletes but also attend anyone who is looking for overall wellness. Our certified sports physicians are licensed, orthopedic practitioners. Our teams offer sports medicine services and a wide array of treatments for different musculoskeletal traumas and injuries. We aim to maximize your performance along with the healing processes. Visit us today to book a free appointment.