Reasons to See a Sports Medicine Doctor

Sports medicine doctors play a pivotal role in the lives of athletes and active individuals. Whether it’s to diagnose an orthopedic condition, treat a sports injury, or improve the performance of a professional athlete, sports medicine doctors do a lot.

You may think there aren’t many reasons for you to see a sports medicine doctor if you aren’t a professional athlete. Think again! There are a variety of reasons why everyone, regardless of background, can benefit from seeing this medical professional.

Here are some reasons why you might need to see one:

To Treat An Acute Sports Injury

Managing acute injuries is a major part of sports medicine. Sports medicine doctors can diagnose and treat the problem, whether it’s the result of playing sports or exercising.

If you think you might have an acute injury, look for symptoms like sudden and unusual pain. You can also spot swelling, bruising, muscle weakness, or difficulty moving a joint. In all these situations, a sports medicine doctor should be consulted quickly for a diagnosis and treatment plan.

To Diagnose The Cause Of Chronic Pain

If you notice knee pain that doesn’t go away after weeks of rest, you likely have a chronic knee injury or condition. Training too hard and frequently can stress out your body, causing fractures in bones and stretching or tears within tendons. It can also lead to the overuse of certain body parts.

Symptoms of a chronic injury can be a dull ache when sitting at rest or sharp pain when training or moving. Persistent pain, especially when exercising or playing your sport, is a telltale sign of an overuse injury.

To Meet Your Fitness Goals

Sports medicine doctors are not limited to examining injuries and prescribing rehabilitative treatments. They can also be a great source of information for nutrition advice, exercise regimens, and goal setting.

When your fitness goal does not turn out as planned, sports medicine physicians can help modify your exercise routine. They can address what you might be doing wrong and set up a better fitness regimen tailored to your lifestyle and performance goals.

To Return to Your Favorite Sport

If you haven’t been physically active in a while or want to try a new sport for the first time, seeing a sports medicine doctor is a great way to get back in shape without risking injury. Sports medicine doctors can teach you how to incorporate exercise and play sports safely and effectively so that you perform well and don’t risk injuring yourself in the process. Sports medicine doctors often work with individuals who used to be active and wish to return to that lifestyle. They also work with young people who want to pursue and excel at sports during school or college. It’s better to be safe by going it slow and consulting a professional rather than jumping in full force and only consulting a doctor when an issue pops up.

To Rehabilitate After Surgery Or A Major Injury

Surgery or a major injury can easily sideline an athlete, regardless of their sport or performance ability. These major issues can affect performance for years, if not the rest of the person’s life if they are not treated effectively. Rehabilitation is a critical step in getting an athlete back on the playing field or court. It involves gradually improving strength, stamina, flexibility, and endurance to ensure a re-injury doesn’t occur. Rehabilitation should be led by an experienced sports medicine doctor, who understands the biomechanics of the body very well and can provide all the different types of expertise and support needed to improve bodily function and performance.

Sports Medicine Doctor In Little Rock, AR

Bowen Hefley Orthopedics’ dedicated healthcare team can provide personal care for patients like you. We have the top surgeon, Dr. William Hefley if you need a reliable sports medicine doctor in Little Rock.

Dr. William Hefley is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon. He’s one of the region’s top surgeons and holds a sports medicine specialization. He and his team at Bowen Hefley Orthopedics can provide comprehensive care for you if you have a chronic condition or injury associated with your athletic activities.

Call us at (800) 336-2412 to learn about our services and how we can help you improve your health. You may also book a consultation with us using our appointment request form.

We look forward to serving you!