Whether you exercise for fun or play a sport at an amateur or professional level, sports medicine could be the solution to help keep you performing at your best and free from injury. The specialized field of sports medicine focuses on helping people improve their athletic performance, recover quickly from an injury, and prevent future injuries so that they can reach their maximum potential in the safest way possible, regardless of their age or ability.
A sports physician is specially trained to resolve all of your musculoskeletal medical issues, such as if you have suffered an injury to a joint or muscle. Their expertise often lies in conservative and nonsurgical treatment methods, employing surgical intervention only when necessary.
Why Would I See a Sports Medicine Specialist?
Sports medicine doctors can help you quickly return to health after an injury and to continue playing the sport. They will also help you reduce the chance of further injury.
The main responsibilities of every sports medicine specialist include:
- Diagnosing sports-related injuries
- Designing a personalized treatment and rehabilitation plan
- Educating the patient on specific injury prevention
- Evaluating and continually reviewing a patient’s condition
- Prescribing medication, such as pain relief, when required
- Keeping medical records up-to-date
- Working alongside other healthcare professionals as necessary
Personalized Care of a Sports Physician
Your sports medicine specialist will work closely with you to create a comprehensive, personalized treatment plan that fits into your lifestyle and is tailored to your individual needs. This helps to maximize healing and minimize any long-term effects.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Therapeutic stretching exercises
- Strengthening exercises for injury-prone areas
- Advice on injury prevention
- Nutritional advice
- Referral to other medical specialists for further assessment and treatment
Sports medicine specialists have a specialized understanding of the impact sports and exercise have on the body. Treatment plans are tailored around the individual patient’s strengths and weaknesses. They work with you to focus on specific issues or vulnerabilities, and they can identify areas for improvement.
Their in-depth understanding of how the body moves during a particular sport means appropriate advice and instruction can be given to prevent future injuries and reinjury to any previously damaged areas.
Treatment for Musculoskeletal Injuries
Regardless of a person’s athletic ability, injuries of the musculoskeletal system are commonplace and require the best care possible in order to have a successful recovery. Sports medicine specialists utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment techniques to help athletes and non-athletes alike get moving again.
Sports medicine doctors treat injuries and conditions that can be due to forceful impacts, injury on the field, overtraining, or overuse injuries caused by repetitive motion – the latter of which includes arthritis.
Common injuries seen by a sports medicine specialist include:
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Sprains and strains
- ACL and MCL tears (anterior/posterior cruciate ligaments)
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tendon injuries
- Overuse injuries such as tennis/golfer’s elbow, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, and runner’s knee
Sports medicine doctors are up-to-date on the latest nonsurgical, surgical, and regenerative treatment options available. These specialized treatments can help to restore function and speed up your recovery following an injury.
Orthopedic Sports Doctors in Clinton Township, MI
Sports medicine isn’t just for talented athletes. With its comprehensive methods on prevention, diagnostics, and treatment for all areas of physical performance, it can be the ideal way to enhance your physical capabilities and help you remain injury-free.
If you would like to find out more about how sports medicine can benefit you, turn to the musculoskeletal experts at Movement Orthopedics. Call our office today at (586) 436-3785 or request an appointment online. We welcome your call!
