There are many similarities between a sports medicine doctor and an orthopedic doctor. They both specialize in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system and have specialized training in the treatment of orthopedic related injury and illness. Both types of doctors are involved in assessing injuries and determining the appropriate treatment for patients.
However, sports medicine is an additional specialty, and sports medicine doctors’ expertise lies in the non-operative treatment methods of sports injuries and the prevention of illness and injury. One of the main distinctions between sports medicine doctors and orthopedic doctors is that their patients’ medical needs can vary significantly.
Sports Medicine Doctor
A sports medicine doctor has significant training in both the treatment and prevention of illness and injury and specializes in sports medicine. They often provide comprehensive medical care to athletes, this could be in a clinic or hospital setting while other sports medicine doctors are employed by sports teams directly. This can entail traveling around with the team to offer medical and preventive care during training and sporting events.
Sports medicine doctors treat injuries that commonly affect athletes which can be due to injury on the field, overtraining, or due to repetitive or overuse injuries. This can include many injuries affecting bones, tendons, or ligaments such as ACL tears in the knee, ankle injuries such as strains and sprains, tennis elbow, tendonitis, shin splints, and rotator cuff injuries.
A sports medicine doctor can help patients plan out courses of treatment using physical therapy and assess which exercises are best to strengthen injury-prone areas. In some cases, sports medicine doctors may refer patients to orthopedic doctors or other medical specialists for further assessment and treatment.
The main responsibilities of a sports medicine doctor include:
- Providing information about injury prevention during athletics
- Diagnosing and treating sports-related injuries
- Evaluating and reviewing a patient’s condition
- Prescribing treatments for relief and recovery
- Helping improve sports performance
- Keeping medical records up to date
- Giving referral to orthopedic or other medical specialists, as required
Orthopedic Doctor
Orthopedic doctors treat patients of all ages and backgrounds and focus on conditions affecting the musculoskeletal system, such as spine disorders, injuries, degenerative diseases such as arthritis, infections, tumors, broken bones, and congenital disorders. They are devoted to the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disorders of joints, bones, ligaments, tendons, and muscles. Orthopedic doctors also see patients who have chronic conditions or serious injuries that may require surgery.
Their key responsibilities include:
- Assessing the orthopedic needs of patients of all ages and backgrounds
- Diagnosing and treating orthopedic injuries
- Ordering medical and imaging tests
- Prescribing treatments for relief and recovery
- Onward referral to other medical professionals
Bowen Hefley Orthopedics in Little Rock, Arkansas
At Bowen Hefley Orthopedics, our orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Bill Hefley, is devoted to treating a broad range of conditions affecting the shoulder, hip, and knee, through surgical and nonsurgical treatments. Dr. Hefley specializes in joint replacement surgery and subspecializes in sports medicine, ensuring he can get athletes back to their sports quickly and stronger than before.
Our friendly, committed staff welcomes your call and looks forward to serving you. If you have any questions about our orthopedic services, or to schedule an appointment, please call (800) 336-2412. You can also use our secure online appointment request form.
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