What is a Sports Medicine Physician?
Sports Medicine Physicians specialize in the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions. Sports Medicine is a recognized subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Subspecialties.
Do Sports Medicine Physicians only treat competitive athletes?
No! Sports Medicine Physicians are ideal physicians for the non-athletes and are excellent resources for the individual who wishes to become active or begin an exercise program. For the “weekend warrior” or “industrial athlete” who experiences an injury, the same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to return the individual as quickly as possible to full function.
What do Sport Medicine Physician treat?
Over 90 percent of all sports injuries are non-surgical. The Sports Medicine Physician can maximize non-operative treatments. They also coordinate care with other members of the sports medicine team to include: athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors, occupational therapist, and other ancillary personnel of specialty care and rehabilitation.
Common examples of musculoskeletal problems include:
- Acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee & shoulder injuries, and fractures)
- Overuse injuries (such as rotator cuff and other forms of tendonitis, stress fractures)
- Osteoarthritis/Degenerative Conditions
Sports Medicine Physicians have received additional training in non-musculoskeletal aspects of sports medicine. Common examples include:
- Athletes with chronic or acute illness (such as infectious mononucleosis, asthma or diabetes)
- Nutrition, supplements, ergogenic aids, and performance issues
- Exercise prescription for patients who want to increase their fitness
- Injury prevention
- “Return to play” decisions in the sick or injured athlete
- Recommendations on safe strength training and conditioning exercises
- Healthy lifestyle promotion
- Pre-participation physical examination
- Injury assessment and management
- Care of sports-related and general medical needs of athletes
- Special populations (geriatric, disabled, women, youth, etc.)
- Education and counseling on illness & injury prevention
Janna Vilen, MD is a double board-certified physician in Family Medicine and Sports Medicine.
You can make an appointment to see Dr. Vilen by clicking here.
