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What
is a Sports Medicine Physician?
A physician with specialized training who promotes lifelong fitness
and wellness, and encourages prevention of illness and injury. This
physician helps the patient maximize function and minimize disability
time away from sports, work, or school.
He or she is a leader of a sports medicine team, which also includes
specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists,
coaches, other personnel, and, of course, the athlete.
They are experienced sports medicine physicians with a primary specialty,
such as Family Practice, most of whom obtain 1-2 years of additional
training in sports medicine through accredited fellowship (subspecialty)
programs in Sports Medicine.
What
is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and an orthopaedic
Surgeon?
Both are well trained in musculoskeletal medicine. Sports Medicine
Physicians specialize in the non-operative medical treatment of
musculoskeletal sports conditions. orthopaedic surgeons are also
trained in the operative treatment of these conditions. Approximately
90% of all sports injuries are non-surgical, and Sports Medicine
Physicians can expedite referral to an orthopaedic/sports surgeon
when indicated, and can help guide referrals to appropriate rehabilitative
care and ancillary services as needed. Common examples of musculoskeletal
problems include:
Acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee &
shoulder injuries, and fractures)
Overuse injuries (such as tendonitis, stress fractures)
Sports
Medicine Physicians have received additional training in the non-musculoskeletal
aspects of sports medicine. Common examples of these include:
Mild traumatic brain injury and other head injuries
Athletes with chronic or acute illness (such as infectious mononucleosis,
asthma, or diabetes)
Nutrition, supplements, ergogenic aids, and performance issues
Exercise prescription for patients who want to increase their fitness
Injury prevention
“Return to play” decisions in the sick or injured athlete
Strength training and conditioning
Healthy lifestyle promotion
Most
Sports Medicine Physicians also serve as Team Physicians for local
and/or national teams or clubs. These physicians must fulfill published
qualifications with the following responsibilities:
Pre-participation physical examinations
Injury assessment and management
Care of sports-related and general medical needs of athletes
Special populations (elderly, women, youth, etc.)
Sports psychology issues
Addressing substance abuse
Education and counseling on illness and injury prevention
Coordinating care with other members of the sports medicine team
to include athletic trainers, physical therapists, personal physicians,
other medical and surgical specialties, and other ancillary personnel
of specialty care and rehabilitation
Communication with athletic trainers, coaches, and school administration,
as well as athletes and their families
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