Overview
In the world of fitness, athletes are always predisposed to musculoskeletal injuries, which significantly vary in severity. To make matters worse, some of these injuries become recurrent, altering the athlete’s career, and in some cases, ending it altogether.
Other patients may complain of chronic pain that’s been there for months or years after inflicting the initial injury. Regardless of the type of injury, you will need the help of a trained professional to organize the management plan. Sports medicine is a field that deals with restoring the function of injured patients and preventing future injuries. It is not a medical specialty per se since many specialties in medicine (e.g., orthopedic surgeon, internal medicine, family medicine) can get training to become a certified doctor in sports medicine.
For the most part, sports medicine physicians and surgeons work with athletes to enhance their performances, treat injuries, and help to prevent them. However, they also work with regular people, including children and teens. Oftentimes, sports medicine physicians collaborate with nutritionists and physical therapists to provide the best possible management for their patients.
Techniques in sports medicine
Sports physicians and orthopedic surgeons often work hand-in-hand to provide the best possible treatment for simple and complex musculoskeletal injuries. The treatment may revolve around physical therapy and lifestyle modifications, but could also include surgical procedures to correct irreversible lesions (e.g., ACL tears). Despite how benign some injuries might seem, you need to contact your doctor as most lesions are better treated when they’re recent. To learn more about scientifically-proven tips that reduce the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, check out this blog post.
Common sports medicine injuries
Sports medicine focuses on the musculoskeletal system, which includes bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints. As you may know, all of these structures are susceptible to injury, especially when performing quick, “explosive” movements.
Here is a list of injuries that may be encountered in sports medicine:
- Sprain
- Strains and cramps
- Muscle cramps
- Muscle tears
- Ligamentous injuries
- Plantar fasciitis
- Bruises
- Closed fractures (bone does not penetrate the skin)
- Bursitis
- Back pain
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendon tears (patellar tendonitis)
Conclusion
Medicine specifically for sports-related injuries is an exciting field that has enormous potential to help treat athletes and non-athletes alike, especially those with an increasing interest in professional competition. The physicians and experts in sports medicine undergo a long training process to gain the necessary experience for this medical discipline.
To learn more about fitness and nutrition, check out other blog posts by Dr. Kevin Crawford, click: (ACL Surgeon Texas)
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Disclaimer: This information is provided as an educational service only, and is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. Anyone seeking specific medical advice or assistance should consult his or her doctor or orthopedic surgeon.