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 issues, or even the elderly playing light sports with sore shoulders.
Is A Sports Medicine Specialist Different From A Primary Care Physician?
“The majority of sports medicine specialists do complete a residency in family medicine, but then go on to do an additional fellowship in sports medicine,” said Dr. Averill. “Still, it’s not just family medicine, you could go on to do that sports med training if you did a residency in pediatrics, emergency medicine, internal medicine, and physiatry.”
Dr. Averill explained that most sports medicine specialists come from different medical backgrounds, but have chosen to get that additional training to focus on musculoskeletal medicine.
Who Can Benefit By Seeing A Sports Medicine Specialist?
A sports medicine physician offers several benefits for athletes. Their roles in helping prevent and treat sports-related injuries include:
- Examining and diagnosing injuries such as sprains, strains, fractures, and concussions.
- Developing and supervising rehabilitation programs to help patients recover from injuries.
- Monitoring patients’ progress and making any necessary adjustments to their treatment plans.
- Advising athletes and other active individuals on ways to prevent future injuries and maintain their physical fitness.
- Collaborating with other healthcare professionals, such as physical therapists and trainers, to provide comprehensive medical care.
Young Athletes And Parents
Children and their parents can also significantly benefit from the help of sports medicine specialists. Some children can be very excited and energetic while competing in their favorite sports. Understandably, immersion in a sport can distract a child from proper form and movement, which can lead to injuries over time.
“We see a lot of kids after the fact, so if they have any type of pain or curiosity at all, they can come in and we can do a full assessment in my office where I can look at their dynamics, arches, how they walk and run, and how their shoulders are moving,” Dr. Averill said.
Dr. Averill explained that all the assessment methods used, along with sports medicine-trained physical therapists, can help children avoid injuries and even improve their overall performance by correcting their form and helping them use the correct muscles as a runner or thrower, for example.
Injured Athletes and Athletes-In-Training
“I think the majority of people we see is going to be after acute injuries like falls, shoulder dislocations, or calf muscle sprains, but I’d like to see people more before the fact,” Dr. Averill said. “Still, we do have a good amount of people who will come and see us before they start training.”
Dr. Averill mentioned how people may visit him while preparing for extensive running, such as training for a 5K or a half marathon, to receive suggestions for performing at their best while avoiding injuries.
“The uniqueness and what I enjoy about sports medicine is how well we collaborate with other people,” said Dr. Averill.
Sports medicine specialists can assist patients by referring them to other specialists depending on their injury or the specific sport they have in mind for preparation.
“We can get you connected with dieticians, physician therapists, occupation therapists, and even our athletic training staff,” said Dr. Averill. “I can also talk to our orthopedic surgeons if there’s an issue, so we do a really good job of making sure we bring everyone to the table and give you the best information you can have.”
Sports Medicine Specialists diagnose injuries and develop rehab plans to help injured athletes get back into the game. They also provide guidance on injury prevention to help athletes perform at their optimal levels in their chosen sport.
