Who is a sports medicine specialist?
Sports medicine is the sector of medicine that deals with injuries caused by any kind of physical activity, including athletic pursuits. The American Board of Medical Subspecialties sees sports medicine as a subspecialty. Sports medicine specialists have expertise in preventing illness and treating injuries in physically active people. While they work with professional athletes, they treat children and teens who are pursuing sports and adults who are exercising for personal fitness.
People employed in physically demanding jobs such as construction can also benefit from their expertise. Sports medicine specialists are typically board-certified in emergency medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, or family medicine. They then pursue an accredited sports medicine fellowship and obtain national sports medicine certification.
They often work with physical therapists, nutritionists, and athletic trainers to ensure optimal patient care. A sports medicine practitioner often works in hospital settings, sports or athletics facilities, educational institutions, and private companies.
How are they different from orthopedic surgeons?
Sports medicine specialists and orthopedic surgeons treat similar conditions and can help you recover and rehabilitate. They are well-trained in addressing musculoskeletal disorders. What distinguishes the two lies in their approach to injuries and treatment.
Orthopedic surgeons specialize in musculoskeletal problems and train in surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities. They may recommend surgery and perform the procedure based on the specifics of your situation. They can treat patients of various ages with different orthopedic conditions, including arthritis and osteoporosis, and not just sports injuries. An orthopedic doctor is also a good choice if you need specialized spinal injections for long-term pain relief.
Sports medicine specialists understand orthopedics and emphasize non-invasive and minimally invasive treatment methods. They often use nutrition plans, lifestyle modifications, and physical training to help you get back to your routine. Sports medicine aims to prevent injuries while optimizing performance. The duties of a sports medicine specialist are not restricted to treating your injury; they also guide you in rehabilitation and getting back in shape.
Education and qualifications of a sports medicine specialist
Becoming a proficient and accomplished sports medicine specialist involves a comprehensive educational journey of approximately 12 years, equipping these professionals with the expertise necessary to provide exceptional care to patients in sports-related health. Their education comprises:
- Four years of undergraduate studies
- Four years of medical school
- Three years of residency
- One year of fellowship
Upon completing their education, sports medicine specialists must successfully pass national certification examinations in sports medicine.
What does a sports medicine specialist do?
A sports medicine specialist is responsible for the following:
Diagnosing, treating, and overseeing injuries to the musculoskeletal system and underlying issues that may impact physical performance
Educating athletes and non-athletes on injury prevention, proper nutrition, safe exercise, conditioning, and strength-building methods
Providing medical care during sporting events to ensure the well-being of participants
Advising on the appropriate timing for athletes to resume play after an injury, ensuring their safety
Furthermore, a sports medicine specialist near you can address a variety of conditions, including:
- Sprains
- Muscle strains
- Fractures or breaks
- Injuries to joints such as the shoulder or knee
- Overuse injuries like rotator cuff injuries or stress fractures
- Tendinitis
- Osteoarthritis
- Concussions
What are some common sports injuries?
The chances of you getting hurt depend on the sport, as does the likely location of your injury. Here are some of the most common injuries you may face while playing sports and how they can be treated:
Sprains and strains are the most common injuries spanning almost all types of sports. Strains affect tendons and muscles in different places. Meanwhile, sprains affect the ligament when it stretches too much due to movement. Playing soccer, wrestling, hockey, and football puts you at a higher risk of these injuries. However, you can also get them while swimming and running. You may experience strains and sprains in your legs or lower back in such cases. While playing golf or rowing, sprains and strains can affect your forearm or hand.
If you experience pain or see bruises, take time out to rest and ice the area for about 20 minutes a few times a day for about three days. After the first three days, stretch and apply soft pressure on the area and massage it to relieve the pain. You can then switch to using heat on the region. You can also visit a sports medicine specialist near you if the pain is too severe.
If you experience pain in your shin area may be caused by microtrauma of the shinbone or inflammation. Basketball players and runners usually suffer from this type of injury. Resting, wearing supportive shoes, taking pain relievers, and stretching exercises can help with the pain.
Inflammation in your tendons is known as tendinitis. If you experience pain due to overuse of the same movements, you could suffer from tendinitis. People who play tennis, golf, and basketball are more likely to suffer from it.
If you notice swelling in your tendons or experience pain, visit a sports medicine specialist near you. The doctor will likely suggest you apply ice, rest, or prescribe pain relievers. If your condition does not improve, they may recommend surgery, physical therapy, or steroid shots to decrease the inflammation.
When a bone cracks, it is called a fracture. Stress fractures, spiral fractures, and longitudinal fractures are the different types of this injury. Another term for a stress fracture is a hairline fracture. Spiral fractures do not break a bone in a straight line. If you cannot move your body normally and experience immense pain or have swelling or bruises in a specific part, you may have a broken bone. Doctors can realign some fractures, and some require surgeons to treat them. If your fracture requires a cast, wear it until the bone realigns.
This injury, less common than fractures, occurs when the end of a bone moves out of its joint due to a force. It is most common in those who play basketball or do gymnastics. If you see a swollen joint or experience pain in a joint, visit a doctor. They may prescribe medication for pain or put you in a splint or brace to keep the joint in the proper position.
When should you see a sports medicine doctor near you?
It would be best if you considered scheduling a session with a sports medicine specialist in the following situations:
Sports-related injury: You have sustained an injury during sports or physical activities, requiring specialized treatment.
Musculoskeletal performance: An injury affecting your musculoskeletal system, comprising muscles, bones, or joints, prompts tailored care to restore optimal function.
Activity enhancement: Your goal involves enhancing activity levels or athletic performance, for which a sports medicine physician can provide personalized guidance and practical plans.
Safe exercise: Seeking advice on exercise techniques, injury prevention strategies, and suitable fitness routines is a priority, making a consultation with a sports medicine specialist beneficial.
Do sports medicine specialists treat only competitive athletes?
A sports medicine doctor works with athletes and non-athletes. Their specialization in managing musculoskeletal disorders and metabolic or bone conditions puts them in a unique position to bridge primary care and orthopedic surgeons. They can also offer guidance if you start an exercise program or become more active.
Some injuries, such as the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear and rotator cuff injuries, can occur in non-athletes, too. These can occur in road or workplace accidents and among carpenters or painters. Other injuries, such as Achilles tendon tears, can happen even when you run household errands. Sports medicine specialists receive extensive training in treating these problems.
Tips to avoid sports injuries
The two leading causes of sports injuries are trauma and overuse of the body's musculoskeletal system. Following simple precautions and remembering tips can help you avoid such injuries.
When you exercise or practice a sport, use the right equipment and gear, such as comfortable shoes that provide adequate support. Use proper training practices and perform the correct warm-up routine and stretching exercises. Cooling down afterward is also equally important.
Stay hydrated by drinking sufficient water during and after your exercise or activity. If you feel tired or worn out, stop what you are doing and rest for a while. Do not exercise when you are sick or recuperating from an illness. See that your exercise schedule involves using different muscle groups on alternate days. Always set realistic goals, and you will achieve these quite
quickly and without the pain of a sports injury.
What is a stress fracture?
A stress fracture is a kind of bone fracture described as a small crack in one of the bones in the body. It occurs due to excessive stress on a particular bone caused by repetitive motion or physical activity. Stress fractures are also called overuse injuries and generally affect the body parts that support or balance the body weight when playing a sport or doing physical activity. These include:
- Heel
- Foot
- Lower legs
- Wrists and hands
- Hips
- Lower back
Symptoms
The common symptoms include the following:
- Swelling
- Pain that gets worse during physical activity
- Pain that doesn't stop even after the activity has finished
- Noticeable pain even when resting
- A feeling of tenderness near the affected bone
Causes
The common causes include the following:
- Training or working without proper equipment
- Excessive training or practicing without ample rest
- Starting a new physical activity or sport without appropriate equipment, guidance, or training
- Sudden ramping up of physical activity, training, or workouts
- A change in the surface where you train or do physical activity (for instance, switching from running on a treadmill to running on the road)
- Specializing in one sport (playing one sport round the year without breaks can lead to stress fractures compared to playing multiple sports)
Risk factors
Sports or activities that increase the risks of stress fractures include the following:
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Running (track and field sports and long-distance running)
- Dance
- Gymnastics
Health conditions that increase the risks of stress fractures include the following:
- Flat feet
- High arch feet
- Bunions
- Osteoporosis
- Eating disorders
- Obesity
- Vitamin D deficiency
Tips to prevent stress fracture
The simple steps below can help prevent a stress fracture:
- Proper warm-up and cooldown sessions before and after a physical activity
- Follow an exercise plan that suits your body
- Stop training or exercising when you feel pain. Don't continue through the pain.
- Wear proper equipment for all physical activities and sports
- See a doctor when you notice pain or other symptoms
How can you locate a qualified sports medicine specialist in Brooklyn, New York?
If you have suffered a sports injury, it can limit your mobility and restrain you from doing things you like. Hence, seeking help from a sports medicine specialist near you could help you return to your life as soon as possible. With Zocdoc, you do not have to worry about the tedious process of finding the right specialist.
You can create a free account on the easy-to-use platform and log in to begin your search. You could look for a specialist based on your symptoms, condition, and location. Another option is to use our convenient filters to narrow the results based on gender, language, and hospital affiliations. We also have an insurance detector to let you find an in-network professional. Sit back while our advanced algorithm searches an extensive database of medical practitioners.
In a few minutes, you will receive a list of possible matches. By clicking on the specialist's profile, you can learn about their educational qualifications, experience, awards, expertise, and accreditations. Before you make a choice, check the verified patient reviews and ratings.
The insurance detector on the Zocdoc website will help you see which sports medicine specialist accepts your medical insurance. Zocdoc also provides the option to add multiple insurance plans. However, you can book an appointment using just one health insurance. If your provider uses Zocdoc's intake forms, you can add details of your secondary insurance while filling out the form online. You can also refer to Zocdoc's patient help center for further queries.
You can book a virtual appointment before scheduling an in-person session with a sports medicine specialist near you. Our database lists specialists available on weekends and outside regular business hours. Pick a slot based on the doctor's availability and your convenience. All bookings made on Zocdoc are simple, free, and secure!
Statistics on sports injuries in New York and the United States
The COVID-19 pandemic saw a decline in sports and group recreational events, leading to fewer injuries sustained while pursuing these activities. After a 27% decline in 2020, sports and recreational injuries increased by about 20% in 2021. These figures compiled by the National Safety Council (NSC) show that in 2021, around 3.2 million people got treatment in various emergency departments for such injuries. Cycling, basketball, and exercise accounted for most of the injuries.
Data from the NSC, 2020, shows that around 46,800,000 injury consultations were reported in homes and communities across the United States. Statistics from the 2016 New York State Department of Health show that people aged 65 and above account for about 82.6% of all fall deaths and nearly 69.2% of fall hospitalizations in the state. The rate of fall hospitalizations for the state 2014 was about 890.6 per 100,000 population.
Sources
Stanford Medicine Children's Health
Genesis
Center for Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine
University of Rochester Medical Center
Johns Hopkins Medicine
Injury Facts[1]
Injury Facts[2]
New York State Department for Health
Cleveland Clinic[1]
Cleveland Clinic[2]
WebMD
