Participating in organized activity or being on a sports team are healthy and fun ways to get in shape and reach your fitness goals. However, they often require training and intense exercise which carries the risk of injury. When dealing with any sports-related injury, you’ll likely be referred to a sports medicine physician. Sports medicine doctors range from non-surgical, primary care doctors to orthopedic surgeons. They are trained to address issues associated with sports-related injuries, and also provide education on injury prevention. The same expertise used on a competitive athlete can be applied to an individual looking to become active again or start an exercise program.

In any situation, a sports medicine doctor aims to get patients up and moving as quickly and safely as possible. While the injuries sports medicine doctors treat are numerous, the following list contains some of the most commonly reported injuries these physicians treat.

Knee Injuries

High-impact activity can wear down knee cartilage and put strain on ligaments and tendons. This means it’s not unusual for athletes or avid exercisers to experience a knee injury. Luckily, sports medicine doctors are trained to diagnose and treat minor or serious knee injuries. From torn ACLs and meniscus tears to moderate or severe joint pain, knee injuries can sometimes take months to heal based on the severity of the injury.

Sprains and Strains

Stretching a ligament in your ankle can be uncomfortable and impair your mobility during physical activity. This injury is common within any sport that requires repetitive foot movements, such as soccer. Another common problem athletes encounter are quadriceps strains. If the muscles in the thigh become overworked due to repeated lunging or squatting motions, your ability to properly walk, jump or run will be inhibited. In this case, seeing a sports medicine doctor can help you regain strength and flexibility.

Fractures

Bone fractures occur as a result of accidents or falls. Often you can detect a fracture if you experience intense, sudden pain, swelling, tenderness and difficulty putting weight on the affected area. Fractures are often treated with a cast or splint. In advanced cases, surgery to place pins or screws may be necessary to properly stabilize an injury.

If you’re experiencing any of the above conditions or injuries, make an appointment with a sports medicine doctor at Campbell Clinic.