What is the role of a sports medicine physician compared to an orthopedic surgeon?
Sports medicine physicians focus on the non-surgical management of sports-related musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. While orthopedic surgeons also manage injuries non-surgically when appropriate, their primary specialty involves surgical intervention to address structural problems.
If an injury has not improved with non-surgical management, is surgery the only option?
Some injuries can continue to improve with non-surgical care, while others may benefit from surgery. Consulting with multiple experienced providers who thoroughly evaluate the patient, review diagnostic imaging and testing, and understand both non-surgical and surgical treatment options can help guide an informed decision.
Many times I see professional athletes recovering very quickly from injuries. How are they doing this?
Professional athletes follow many of the same recovery principles as the general population, but often have access to specialized healthcare providers, advanced treatment protocols, and additional recovery resources. Working with an experienced sports medicine physician can help individuals apply similar evidence-based strategies to their own recovery.
If a person is interested in injury prevention or general musculoskeletal health and wellness treatments, how would they go about doing this?
Physical therapy can provide biomechanical and functional assessments used to develop personalized programs that improve mobility, strength, tendon and ligament integrity, and joint stability. If further evaluation is needed, a sports medicine consultation with diagnostic imaging may be recommended. More advanced options may include artificial intelligence–assisted muscle imbalance mapping, as well as therapies such as electromagnetic therapy, photobiomodulation, and radiofrequency treatments.
Can cortisone injections be used for sports-related pain, and are there risks?
Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation and relieve pain from conditions such as bursitis, tendinitis, or joint arthritis when used appropriately. However, because cortisone can negatively affect tissue cells and interfere with healing, these injections are used carefully and selectively in sports medicine.