Athletes need to be in peak condition to meet their goals. Sports medicine is one way to help any kind of athlete optimize performance. Sports medicine physicians specialize in injuries and illnesses that happen because of sports activities or exercise.
You don’t need to be a competitive athlete to see a sports physician. Non-athletes, people who want to begin exercise programs, or weekend warriors can benefit from the knowledge sports medicine doctors have.
Training in Sports Medicine
Doctors who specialize in sports medicine have special training about how to help prevent injuries and how to guide patients through recovery after an injury. It is a medical subspecialty and doctors are often board certified in internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, physical medicine, pediatrics, or another specialty.
The additional sports medicine training is a two-year fellowship and there is a national certification exam. The certifying agencies also require continuing education and a recertification and re-examination every decade.
Common Sports Injuries
Although sports medicine physicians see patients for a variety of reasons, they often treat injuries that happen during exercise or a sporting event.
Common sports injuries are:
- Ankle sprains
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Overuse injuries like tendonitis and stress fractures
- Swollen muscles
- Concussions
- Cartilage injuries
Participation in athletic activities sometimes brings on asthma issues or heat-related impairments. Sports medicine doctors might treat patients in these situations.
If an injury is significant, don’t wait to see a sports medicine doctor. Seek treatment in an emergency room and then see a sports medicine specialist for follow-up care.
Types of Care
The type of care depends on the kind of injury. Treatment can include immobilization and resting at home with over-the-counter medications. Sometimes, surgery is required to repair a tear or to fix bones, although a large percentage of sports injuries do not require surgery.
Physicians and other medical professionals often work with athletes for physical therapy as well as strength and conditioning routines. The goal is to help people get back to doing the activities they love.
Injury Prevention
Sports physicians provide advice about how to prevent injuries. A training routine can help people maintain their strength.
Nutrition is also an important part of staying healthy and athletic performance. Sports medicine specialists help athletes maintain a proper diet.
B3 Medical is a leader in sports medicine in the Tampa Bay area. Experts at B3 Sports Performance know what it takes to be an athlete of any type. They can help children, teens, and adults keep doing the sports activities they love to do.
With a combination of individual assessments and evaluations, we will treat your sports injury and create a specialized program to get you back in the game. Call today to schedule an appointment.
