When you think of sports medicine, you may think of the doctors who work on the sidelines for high school, college, or professional athletes. But if you think that only athletes can see a sports medicine physician, think again: These doctors work on orthopedic (musculoskeletal) fitness, injuries, and injury prevention for everyone.
For example, if you ever break a fall with your hand and injure your hand and wrist, or if you sprain an ankle from tripping, or if you’re developing elbow or shoulder pain from playing golf or tennis, a sports medicine physician is just the specialist for you. Let’s talk about when to visit a sports medicine physician and who you can talk to about your own physical fitness and treatment.
Conditions a Sports Medicine Physician Can Treat
Sports doctors can treat acute injuries, chronic pain due to old injuries, or repetitive-motion injuries that develop over time. In addition to musculoskeletal injuries, they can treat concussions and other issues that can occur while playing a sport or physical activity.
Symptoms of an acute injury include bruising, swelling, pain, redness, and the inability to bear weight.
Acute injuries may heal from at-home treatments such as the RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method. However, if the condition does not improve after a few days or if you develop a fever, schedule an appointment with a sports medicine physician.
Some orthopedic practices offer urgent care for patients who have acute but non-life-threatening injuries. This is a lifesaver if you ever injure yourself while performing daily activities, exercise, or sports. Examples of injuries that are regularly diagnosed and treated by sports doctors are sprains, strains, fractures, and dislocations.
Preventive Medicine by a Sports Doctor
Chronic sports injuries are injuries that develop over time, such as golfer’s elbow or a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder. These injuries tend to be due to a lack of proper conditioning and poor form, so your orthopedic sports doctor can help you heal from the injury and also show you how to prevent it from reoccurring.
If you are starting a new sport or exercise, a sports medicine physician can prescribe a conditioning program to help prevent injury and to enhance your performance. If you are injured, the doctor will examine the frequency and intensity with which you train, check for structural abnormalities, and examine any muscular weakness or imbalances to aid in diagnosis.
Other examples of chronic (repetitive-motion) sports injuries include tennis elbow, pitcher’s elbow, jumper’s knee, and shin splints. A sports doctor knows how these develop and how to prevent them.
Sports Medicine Physician in Clinton Township, Michigan
Our team at Movement Orthopedics is a leading sports medicine practice in Macomb County. Our sports medicine specialist, Dr. Jeffrey Carroll, treats patients of all ages – from high school athletes to professional athletes and anyone who leads an active lifestyle. Plus, we are proud to offer orthopedic urgent care services to patients with acute injuries.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule a consultation, contact our friendly staff today by calling (586) 436-3785 or by completing our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you get back to the active lifestyle you love!
