Sports medicine doctors are physicians and surgeons specializing in musculoskeletal injuries– the bones, joints, tendons, muscles, and ligaments. Not only do they treat injuries, but they also help patients who wish to prevent injuries from occurring while they’re physically active.
A sports medicine physician isn’t always at the top of our patients’ list, but they should be. Let’s talk about the top 8 reasons (of many) to consider seeing a sports medicine doctor over a traditional orthopedic surgeon or family physician and where you can find the best sports medicine doctor in Baltimore, MD.
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You Have a Sports Injury
It’s not uncommon for injuries to happen while on the court or field. These injuries are often called acute sports injuries, as theyhappen suddenly. Common acute sports injuries include:
- Sprains and strains
- Knee injuries
- Dislocations
- Muscle tears
- Broken bones
If you’re unsure you have an acute sports injury, there are a few signs and symptoms you can keep an eye out for. These include swelling and tenderness in your affected area, sudden pain, loss of range of motion, and sudden weakness in the affected area.
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You Have a Chronic Injury due to Physical Activity
A chronic injury differs from an acute sports injury in that it happens and is sustained over a long period. Oftentimes, chronic injuries are due to overuse of the muscles or joints in the affected areas. Some common chronic sports injuries include:
- Tendonitis
- Stress fractures
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer’s elbow
Like acute injuries, you may notice a chronic injury if you have a limited range of motion in your affected areas, pain that seems to worsen over time, and weakness or swelling and tenderness in the affected areas.
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You Injure Yourself in the Gym
Sports medicine doctors aren’t just for athletes; sports medicine doctors are perfect for anyone physically active. This means if you hurt yourself in the gym or while playing a pick-up basketball game with your friends, you can benefit from seeing a sports medicine doctor.
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You Need Orthopedic Surgery
If you have injured yourself and need orthopedic surgery, look no further than a sports medicine doctor. Sports medicine doctors specialize in orthopedic surgery, ensuring you get the treatment you need to get back to living your life.
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You’re Recovering from a Sports Injury
If you’re recovering from a sports injury, a sports medicine specialist is likely who you’ll want to turn to. Your provider will tailor your recovery and treatment plan to your specific needs, keeping your sports injury in mind. Because sports medicine doctors are experts in the musculoskeletal system, they can help you strengthen your treated areas again, so you can return to living in your pre-injury condition.
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You Want to Prevent a Sports Injury
Your sports medicine doctor is there to provide you with more than just treatment when you have an injury – they are there to provide you with support to prevent injury from occurring in the first place. Your sports medicine doctor will work with you and your training routines to ensure you’re protecting yourself while staying physically active.
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You Want to Prevent Reinjury
Reinjuring yourself can set you back for several more weeks. Your sports medicine doctor knows just how important your time is off the field as it is on the field. That’s why they’re happy to work with you to show you how to prevent reinjury from occurring. This can include working with your trainers to ensure you’re staying safe.
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You Suspect You Have a Muscle, Bone, or Joint Injury
If you suspect you have any injury pertaining to the muscles, tendons, bones, or joints, you may want to seek out a sports medicine specialist first. Because they are experts in the musculoskeletal system, they’ll be able to accurately diagnose your condition and provide you with a tailored treatment plan to help you get back to living your life to the fullest.
Sports Medicine Doctor in Baltimore, MD
The sports medicine doctors at Greater Chesapeake Hand to Shoulder are board certified and highly qualified to handle your sports injury. We provide our patients with individualized, comprehensive care to help them return to living their lives without limits. Our on-site facilities also offer our patients the services they need, all within our beautiful and inviting office setting.
To learn more about the sports medicine services offered by our practice, call us today at (410) 296-6232 or request an appointment online. We look forward to meeting you!
