A sports medicine doctor is a physician who has specialized training in treating, rehabilitating, and preventing injuries and conditions that are common in athletes and people who live an active lifestyle. Before you see a sports medicine doctor, you may first need to make an appointment with your primary care physician and request a referral. A sports medicine doctor will be able to do a full exam to determine the extent of your injury or condition and then create a treatment plan. In some cases, sports injuries may need to be treated through surgery. Some of the top reasons to make an appointment to see a sports medicine doctor include the following.

Suffering from an Acute Sports Injury

Playing sports or engaging in high impact physical activity is good for your health, but they can also increase your risk of acute injuries that need medical treatment. Muscle sprains and strains are very common sports injuries; luckily these types of injuries are typically not serious, but they need to be treated and allowed to fully heal before resuming regular sports or exercise. More serious acute injuries that a sports medicine doctor treats includes Achilles tendon injuries, dislocated joints, and knee injuries. If you suffer any type of acute injury while participating in sports or other physical activities, always seek immediate medical care.

Experience Symptoms of a Chronic Sports Injuries

While some sports injuries, such as a torn ACL in the knee or a dislocated shoulder, happen immediately, others can develop over the course of months or even years. In most cases, chronic sports injuries happen when a person trains hard and a specific area of the body becomes injured due to overuse. For example, a baseball pitcher may develop rotator cuff issues after years of training and pitching during games. If you notice soreness or pain after participating in your sport or have difficulty fully healing even with rest, it is in your best interest to see a sports medicine doctor for an exam to see if you have a chronic sports injury that is in need of treatment.

Injury Requires Surgery

There are many sports injuries, such as torn tendons and ligaments, that require surgery in order to be repaired. If you have suffered from a torn tendon or ligament due to sports or physical activity, it is best to be cared for by a sports medicine doctor and an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in repairing sports injuries. These physicians will have the education and expertise needed to successfully repair your injury and then assist you with the rehabilitation process so you can fully heal and recover. 

For more information, reach out to sports medicine services in your area.