The sports injury doctor provides personalized injury treatment. In the US, sports medicine is mostly practiced by orthopedic doctors and family medicine doctors.
The sports doctor helps patients understand their condition, educates them on the treatment options, offers long-term pain relief, and, most importantly – physical and functional recovery.
Treatments focus on strengthening muscles and joints to reduce pain, improve recovery, and decrease re-injury risk. These musculoskeletal injuries include strain, sprain, rupture, bursitis, and cartilage damage.
The sports injury doctor treats these conditions and can also recommend physical rehabilitation services like physical therapy, occupational therapy, and massage therapy if needed on a case-to-case basis.
Preventing sports injuries
Sports injuries are common and can happen in any sport or setting. While athletes of all levels are susceptible to injuries, weekend warriors are often the victims of preventable injuries. These individuals are trying to recreate their glory days from high school and college.
However, some sports injuries are not avoidable and can't be prevented. Acute injuries occur suddenly and can result in significant pain, swelling, and redness. They can also result in limited movement or the inability to put weight on the injured area.
A sports injury specialist can help you prevent such injuries by advising risk reduction techniques like warm-up routines, muscle/joint conditioning and strengthening exercises, diet and sleep routines, etc.
Preventing sports injuries with a sports injury doctor is essential for all athletes. Regularly visiting a sports injury doctor can avoid unnecessary medical costs and pain.
Diagnosis
When athletes are involved in a sports activity, they are susceptible to getting a sports injury. Getting an accurate diagnosis is a key to a fast recovery. Diagnosing the injury early can speed up the recovery process and reduce pain. Often, a sports injury can be characterized by soft tissue injuries.
A sports injury doctor can diagnose and treat injuries during athletic competitions. Common sports injuries include sprains, bruises, cuts, and abrasions. In some cases, they can also diagnose a bone fracture.
A qualified sports physician can perform a thorough physical examination and identify potential injuries. X-ray tests are commonly ordered to identify bone dislocation or fractures. Ultrasonography is important for assessing muscles, tendons, ligaments, meniscus, and articular cartilage injuries.
Ultrasound can help determine the type of sports injury and whether it will require physical therapy or surgery. In some cases, an MRI is necessary to determine the cause of the injury.
Treatment
A physician will recommend a treatment plan for an athlete based on sports injury assessment results. Major injuries require surgical interventions. An orthopedic surgeon often performs these.
Pain-related issues are addressed with local pain relief injections and oral medications. Physical therapy and occupational therapy are an essential part of the recovery process after sports injuries. Sports injury doctors often recommend these therapy to help the athlete return to play as quickly as possible.
Massage therapy
Massage therapy for sports injuries can be highly beneficial for various reasons. Aside from relieving pain, it can help reduce scar tissue formation. Massage techniques are geared toward helping athletes improve their range of motion and reduce the occurrence of muscle spasms.
While massage therapy does not replace a doctor's visit, it can help recovery and rehabilitation following an injury. However, the most important benefit of massage therapy for sports injuries is prevention.
Depending on the type of sports injury, massage can be used as a preventative measure or a treatment post-injury. Deep tissue massages are often recommended to help muscles recover faster.
These massages can help break up adhesions and release tension, decreasing stiffness and increasing mobility. A sports injury massage may also help relieve anxiety and promote faster recovery.
Conclusion
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A sports injury doctor is a primary care physician who is trained in orthopedics and specializes in diagnosing and treating injuries that are sustained while playing sports.
If an injury still hurts when you rest it or feels worse when you move it, it's best that you consult with a sports injury doctor to determine the severity of the injury and how to go about treating it.
An Orthopedic doctor or sports doctor who works with athletes to prevent and manage injury.
