Looking for a sports medicine physician in San Diego?
Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups has a comprehensive list of doctors specializing in all aspects of athletic and physical health. Sports medicine specialists are concerned with the diagnosis, treatment, and management of injuries and illnesses in relation to athletics and physical fitness. Knowledge about special areas of medicine such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, psychology, physical rehabilitation, injuries, and the role of exercise in promoting a healthy life style are essential to the practice of sports medicine.
Muscle & Tendon Injuries
Strains and sprains are among the most common sports injuries. A strain is a twist, pull, and/or tear of a muscle or tendon. A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament.
Head & Neck Injuries
Head and neck injuries are a major concern, especially in contact sports. Among the most serious is traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussion and coma.
Upper Extremity Injuries
Sports medicine doctors are experts in injuries of the upper extremities (hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder). Injuries may affect the bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, or nerves.
Even the smallest injury can cause movements to be challenging that you ordinarily take for granted . For athletes, who rely on the physical health and performance of their bodies, a speedy recovery is crucial. Sports medicine specialists approach their patients with an appreciation for the activities that they pursue, with the goal of returning these patients to the activities they enjoy. Treatment by a sports medicine specialist could contribute to higher levels of care, better coordination of care, and quicker recovery.
Sports medicine physicians may provide treatment for teams, as well as for individuals. Oftentimes, sports medicine specialists work in multidisciplinary teams including rehabilitation specialists, orthopaedic surgeons, podiatrists, neurologists, rheumatologists, physical therapists, and other specialists in order to provide the best management and/or treatment plan depending on a patient’s injury or condition. They also decide when it is necessary to refer patients to a surgical specialist or prescribe alternative treatments, such as physical therapy.
