Sports medicine is much more than just treating athletes. A sports medicine doctor can assess and treat injuries from any kind of exercise or physical activity, including arthritis pain that is developing in a joint.
Plus, sports medicine takes a preventive approach. Let’s talk about what this type of doctor can do for you, and where you can go here in Kansas City for outstanding orthopedic treatment so you can continue to enjoy your active lifestyle.
What Is Sports Medicine?
The focus of sports medicine is treating and preventing injuries that tend to be caused while playing sports or participating in an exercise of any kind. Sports doctors possess highly specialized skills in quickly diagnosing and treating injuries, thereby helping athletes and nonathletes alike return to their activities sooner.
In addition to addressing injuries, sports medicine doctors can also help you get stronger and to get more effective results from your exercise program. If you want to begin participating in a certain sport, such as tennis or golf, a sports doctor can show you proper posture and form so you can reach optimum performance and avoid injury.
Your sports medicine physician may also recommend that you see a physical therapist (PT) in order to learn certain techniques, and how to implement them while you play your sport or exercise.
What Can a Sports Medicine Doctor Treat?
Sports injuries include sprains (a torn or pulled ligament), strains (a torn or pulled muscle or tendon), fractures, dislocations, tendonitis, arthritis, and cartilage tears (such as a torn meniscus in the knee). A sports medicine doctor can treat injuries of the back, arms, and legs, and even concussions.
Most sports injuries can be treated using nonsurgical methods, and the doctor will only recommend surgery if absolutely necessary. Even if surgery is warranted, an orthopedic surgeon can often perform minimally invasive arthroscopy to treat the issue – and this is an outpatient procedure.
When Should I See a Sports Doctor?
If you are starting a new sport or exercise, have sustained an orthopedic (musculoskeletal) injury, or are developing joint pain, then it is in your best interest to have a sports medicine physician by your side. The danger of poorly treated or ignored injuries is that they can become chronic issues or lead to arthritis, and the pain does tend to be ignored because it often develops slowly. If you want to remain physically active, make sure your bones, muscles, and joints get precise care from a sports medicine doctor.
Experienced Sports Medicine Doctor in Kansas City
Our sports medicine doctors here at Midwest Orthopaedics are all board-certified orthopedic surgeons, and we will recommend and perform the least-invasive treatment possible to get you feeling healthy again and back in the game. We are with you every step of the way in your treatment and recovery.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, call us now at (913) 362-8317 or use our appointment request form online. We look forward to helping you get back to peak physical condition!
