| |
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 and time away from sports, work
or school.
He or she is a leader of the 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 in Family Practice, Internal Medicine,
Emergency Medicine, Pediatrics, or Physical Medicine and
Rehabilitation, most of whom obtain 1-2 years of additional
training in sports medicine through accredited fellowship
(subspecialty) programs in Sports Medicine. |
|
Physicians who are Board Certified in Family Practice, Internal Medicine,
Emergency Medicine or Pediatrics are then eligible to take a subspecialty
qualification examination in Sports Medicine. Additional forums which
add to the expertise of a Sports Medicine Physician include continuing
education in sports medicine and membership and participation in sports
medicine societies.
What is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and
an Orthopedic Surgeon?
Both are well trained in musculoskeletal medicine. Sports
Medicine Physicians specialize in the non-operative medical treatment
of musculoskeletal sports conditions. Orthopedic 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 orthopedic/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) and 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 (concussion) 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 and clubs. These physicians must
fulfill published qualifications with the following responsibilities:
- Pre-participation physical examination Injury Assessment
and management
- Care of sports-related and general medical needs of athletes
- Special populations (elderly, disabled, women, youth, etc.)
- Education and counseling on illness & 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, school administration,
as well as athletes and their families
|
