If you suddenly find yourself with a sports-related injury, then visiting your regular family doctor might not be the best option. Sports medicine is focused on preventing and treating exercise- and sports-related injuries, so a sports doctor is best equipped to help you.
In addition to being able to quickly diagnose and treat these types of injuries, a major benefit of a sports medicine doctor is that they know how to implement alternative methods in order to avoid requiring surgery. Whereas many physicians may be quick to recommend surgery, a sports physician will try other methods first.
Who Are Sports Medicine Doctors?
When you think of a sports medicine doctor, you probably picture a physician who’s waiting at the sidelines and who jumps into action whenever an athlete is injured during a competition. They are specially trained to swiftly diagnose and treat injuries that are sustained from playing sports and any other type of orthopedic (musculoskeletal) injuries, and their goal is to get the player back to their sport as quickly and safely as possible.
They also aim to help people exercise safely and effectively in order to achieve optimum performance. This includes prescribing strength-training of muscles that the physician notices is lacking in balance with other muscles.
Sports medicine doctors will not only treat an injury but will also explain how to properly care for an injury while remaining in shape. Usually, these physicians handle non-operative treatment of injuries of muscles, bones, and joints, such as the following:
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Hand and wrist injuries
- Sports-induced asthma
- Eating disorders
- Concussions
- Tendonitis
Treating Medical Conditions
A sports doctor can also handle chronic or acute illnesses as well as nutrition and performance issues. Additionally, they can help patients in determining when to return to their regular activities after treatment.
Their work consists primarily of injury management to ensure fast recovery and a safe return to the sport, including the following:
- Facilitating and monitoring injury prevention
- Diagnosing an injury accurately depending on location and pathology
- Identifying the root cause of an injury to prevent a recurrence
- Prescribing rehabilitation and prescriptions as necessary to help heal and restore functionality
- Minimizing time away from the sport
- Maximizing long-term performance
Sport medicine doctors can work closely with other medical practitioners such as orthopedic surgeons, therapists, and dieticians, among others.
Sports Medicine Doctor in Clinton Township
It is a common misconception that sports medicine doctors only treat athletes. These physicians will actually attend to anyone who wants to improve their overall health and wellness. Plus, because they are specialists in orthopedic medicine, they are excellent at treating joint issues such as arthritis and sudden injuries such as a twisted knee or a sprained ankle.
At Movement Orthopedics, we offer sports medicine services and a wide array of treatments for different musculoskeletal traumas and injuries. Not only will we treat your injury, but we will also help you to maximize your performance.
For more information, call us at (586) 436-3785 or request an appointment online. Let’s get you back into shape and feeling great!
