Sports medicine doctors are physicians in other specialties who have obtained additional training to gain expertise on how joints, tendons, and ligaments function, and the impact of sports on their health. Their training allows them to administer conservative and surgical treatments to correct problems affecting the joints.
Sports medicine physicians typically work with professional teams or college and high school athletes who participate in contact sports such as football, rugby, and soccer, as well as other active sports such as baseball, running, and tennis. They are usually available to perform physical examinations, treat injuries, and counsel the athletes on safety and injury prevention.
Even if you don’t have a sports medicine doctor in your team, it’s important that you visit one when you have a sports-related injury. Some signs of injury include:
- Tenderness
- Severe cramping
- Pain
- Swelling
- Locked joint that won’t bend
- Audible popping when moving the joint
You should also visit a sports medicine doctor when you have any of the following conditions:
- Sprain
- Meniscus tear
- Dislocation
- Rotator cuff tear
- Tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow
- Fracture
- Strain
- Torn ligaments
Your doctor will attempt to use conservative treatment options first to correct the problem before recommending surgery.
I am extremely grateful with Dr. Patel for making my mom feel like a million bucks! I have never met a doctor that is so passionate about his profession and most important genuinely cares about his patients. I met Dr. Patel the day of my mom’s surgery and I was very surprised when he personally came to look for me to tell me my mom was out of surgery and doing well. During my mom’s recovery she had an allergic reaction to aspirin and to our surprise Dr. Patel called us on a Saturday afternoon to check on my mom. It’s the little things that make a big difference. It’s been three months since my mom had knee replacement surgery and she feels better than ever and all thanks to Dr. Patel. Thank you again Dr. Patel, I wish more doctors were like you.
Non-surgical care for sports injuries may include:
- Comprehensive health care for active patients, which includes diagnosis and treatment of joint, tendon, and ligament injuries and conditions caused by sports or other activities
- The application of manual techniques to help prevent and treat skeletal and muscular conditions associated with sports
- The application of special knowledge regarding the concept of athletic conditioning
- Emphasis on injury prevention tactics and rehabilitation for common sports injuries
- Nutritional guidance to improve strength, endurance, and general athletic performance
If you or a loved one sustains an injury during exercise or while participating in a sport or another physical activity, you should visit a sports medicine doctor in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills for proper diagnosis and treatment.