Being an athlete involves pushing your body to its physical limits. Naturally, you will be under a lot of strain, thus increasing your chances of getting an injury.
One expert that can help an athlete with a sports injury is a sports medicine doctor. As experts in how the body performs, they provide orthopedic care to anyone who partakes in sports, is athletically inclined, or lives an active lifestyle.
Why choose a sports medicine doctor specifically? Read on to find out.
1. They Can Treat Sport Injuries
Athletes can get injured while training too hard or make mistakes while playing. Is your injury acute, where it suddenly happens, or chronic, where it develops over time? Sports medicine doctors can help you with both types of problems.
These injuries often come with pain, but you can also experience swelling, muscle weakness, and difficulty moving.
Sports medicine doctors can treat the following:
- Dislocations
- Fractures
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Osteoarthritis
- Swollen muscles
- Torn tendons and ligaments
- Sprains and strains
2. They Can Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals
Sports medicine doctors are not only responsible for getting athletes back on their feet. Their expertise can also help physically active people attain their fitness goals even if they don’t have an injury.
They can offer nutritional advice, exercise regimen modifications, and guidance to help them fit their goals into their lifestyle.
Sports medicine doctors can also advise athletes on how to play sports or be physically active safely. That reduces the risk of injuries like sprains or torn ligaments, allowing athletes to reach their fitness goals quickly.
Additionally, they are heavily involved with rehabilitation after surgery. An operation usually impacts an athlete’s performance on the field. Sports medicine doctors will be with you every step of the way as you rebuild your strength, flexibility, and endurance. With their expertise, they can determine what exercises to include or avoid during physical therapy.
3. RICE May Not Be Enough
When you suffer from a sprain or strain, you can treat it with the RICE method. The acronym stands for “rest, ice, compression, elevation” and is helpful for minor sports injuries. This method usually relieves pain and swelling in less than 48 hours.
However, there will be times when even sprains or strains are too severe for the RICE method. Other sports injuries, like fractures, also require orthopedic care. A sports medicine doctor is more than capable of treating these conditions.
4. They Specialize In Sports
You may be wondering why the distinction between a sports medicine doctor from an orthopedic doctor is necessary.
An orthopedic doctor treats patients of all ages and backgrounds. They generally focus on conditions affecting your bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. These include:
- Congenital disorders
- Degenerative diseases
- Wear and tear injuries and conditions
- Traumatic musculoskeletal injuries
- Spinal injuries
A sports medicine doctor has the same training as an orthopedic doctor but receives additional training in sports medicine. This subspecialty gives them a deeper insight into the musculoskeletal system and how being an athlete can affect it. Orthopedic specialists focus on healing patients, so they can function well in daily life. Sports medicine doctors focus on treating patients who want to achieve peak athletic performance.
These specialists treat athletes and help them return to sports in the best shape possible. Many sports medicine doctors are also current or former athletes, just like the patients they treat. Their understanding of how sports affect the body helps them determine how best to help an athlete.
Sports Medicine Doctor In Little Rock, AR
Are you looking for a trusted sports medicine doctor in Little Rock? Look no further than Bowen Hefley Orthopedics. Our experienced orthopedic experts are dedicated to providing the best personal care to all athletes. Our athletic trainers, physical therapists, and sports doctors stand ready to give you the best orthopedic care around.
Dr. William Hefley, our orthopedic surgeon, is board-certified and considered one of Arkansas’ top surgeons. He specializes in sports medicine and provides surgical and nonsurgical treatments for numerous musculoskeletal conditions.
If you’re an athlete who wants to get back to your sport stronger than before, feel free to contact us! Call Bowen Hefley Orthopedics at (800) 336-2412. You can also use this convenient request form to book a visit with the best sports medicine physician near you.
Our team is looking forward to getting you back in the game!
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