What Is A Sports Medicine Specialist? By Henry O. Akinbobuyi Sports medicine specialists are medical professionals who have received specialized training in sports medicine. They are equipped to handle various types of sports-related injuries, from sprains and strains to concussions and fractures. They can identify, treat, and prevent injuries related to physical activity, exercise, and sports. Theywork with professional athletes, amateur sports enthusiasts, as well as active individuals of all ages to help them maintain their physical fitness and avoid injuries. “I tend to use the analogy that we’re like the primary care of orthopedics,” said Blake Averill, MD, sports medicine specialist with Franciscan Health. “We’re not surgeons, but we should be the first person you see for any sports-related injuries or concerns.” Dr. Averill emphasizes that athletes should visit a sports medicine specialist for even the slightest ache, pain, or injury experienced during or immediately after playing a sport to avoid worsening. There are patients with several conditions that sports medicine physicians like Dr. Averill may see, such as teenagers with twisted ankles, middle-aged patients attempting to get physically active, while dealing with hamstring
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