A sports medicine physician is a medical doctor with in-depth knowledge and training to diagnose, treat, and prevent a comprehensive range of sports injuries. Sports injuries refer to all the injuries an individual sustains while physically active.
If you want to learn about sports medicine physicians or are planning to visit one, this article is for you. Here is a step-by-step guide on becoming a sports medicine doctor, what health conditions they treat, and where you can find the best sports medicine physician in Austin, TX.
How to Become a Sports Medicine Physician?
A sports medicine physician is a highly qualified medical professional who completes at least 12 years of education to treat patients with sports injuries.
Step #1
Typically to become a sports medicine doctor, one completes 4 years of undergraduate study.
Step #2
After receiving a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field, one must pass a medical college admission test (MCAT) and gets into a medical school, where they receive four years of Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree from medical school.
Step #3
After getting a medical degree, an aspiring sports medicine doctor must complete a residency program that can last three to four years. During their residency training, they gain hands-on clinical experiences and receive training in diagnosing and treating patients.
Step #4
After completing the residency training, sports medicine doctors take 1 or two years of fellowship training in sports medicine. In fellowship training, they focus on sports injuries and how to treat them.
Step #5
Following fellowship training in sports medicine, asports medicine doctor takes an exam to receive the Certification of Added Qualification (CAQ) in sports medicine, which means a sports medicine doctor is board certified.
A sports medicine doctor is expected to continue education to maintain their board certification.
What Is the Role of Sports Medicine Physicians?
In practice, a sports medicine doctor can diagnose, manage and treat injuries related to the musculoskeletal system. They are also well-versed in treating underlying conditions affecting your physical performance.
A sports medicine doctor can also educate athletes, weekend warriors, and other physically inactive individuals about injury prevention, conditioning and strength building, nutrition, and safe exercise methods. They can also provide athletes with medical care during sporting events and offer guidance on returning to their sports safely.
According to an estimate, approximately 90% of all sports injuries get better with non-surgical treatments. This is why sports medicine doctors do not provide surgical treatments for orthopedic injuries or conditions. However, a sports medicine doctor who is also an orthopedic doctor can perform surgical procedures for your sports-related musculoskeletal conditions and injuries.
What Conditions Can Sports Medicine Physicians Treat?
With advanced education and training in sports medicine, doctors can treat musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal sports injuries.Musculoskeletal sports injuries that a sports medicine doctor can effectively treat are muscle sprains and strains, fractures or breaks, tendonitis, osteoarthritis, overuse injuries such as stress fracture or rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow,golfers’ elbow, meniscus tear, anterior and posterior cruciate ligament tear, shoulder instability, and labral tear ofthe shoulder, among other.
Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries are examples of non-musculoskeletal sports injuries that a sports medicine doctor can treat.
When Should You See a Sports Medicine Physician?
It’s a well-known fact that sports medicine physicians offer treatment for the sports injuries of athletes and non-athletes. However, you can also see a sports medicine physician if you want to participate in a new physical activity or improve your activity level or performance.
People with an injury affecting their musculoskeletal system performance can also see a sports medicine doctor to boost their healing.
Sports Medicine Physician in Austin, TX
If you are in search of a highly trained and skilled orthopedic doctor with fellowship training in sports medicine, look no further than All-Star Orthopedics of Austin.
Our sports medicine doctor can provide a comprehensive range of treatments, including surgical and non-surgical treatments for injuries of athletes and non-athletes. Our orthopedic doctors specialize in sports medicine and have also built an excellent reputation for providing joint replacement surgeries and joint reconstruction surgeries.
To schedule a consultation with our sports medicine doctor, call us today at (512) 346-4933 or fill out our online appointment request form.
