As athletes know all too well, nothing can sideline you faster than a sports injury. And when you’re taken off the court or the field, you want nothing more than to get back on it. If you or your child has a sports injury or even an orthopedic injury not related to sports, the sports medicine physicians at WMCHealth’s orthopedic Sports Medicine Department can help. Our team of orthopedists has the expertise and experience to provide the treatment that will get you back to doing what you love. Our sports medicine doctors provide all levels of care to athletes and non-athletes alike.
What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a specialized branch of medicine that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to sports or physical activity. This field combines many types of medicine to help patients not only get back in action but also prevent future injury.
Our Approach
At WMCHealth, our multidisciplinary and comprehensive approach to all medicine makes our sports medicine center one of the best in the greater New York area.
While a sports medicine doctor may often lead the care team, a variety of professionals are necessary to help get people back on their feet. These professionals may include:
- Physical therapists
- Registered dieticians
- Orthopedic surgeons
Do I Need a Sports Medicine Specialist?
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Knee injuries
- Shoulder Injuries
- Impingement
- Cartilage injuries
- Rotator cuff tears
- Tendon and ligament tears
- Joint instability or dislocations
How Are Sports Injuries Diagnosed?
When you suffer a sports injury, whether during competitive or recreational play, it’s important to get a prompt and accurate diagnosis so you can receive the proper treatment. The first step is a medical history and a physical examination. Your doctor will use this as a guide to order imaging diagnostics. Various imaging techniques, such as X-rays or an MRI, can confirm diagnosis and help chart a course of necessary treatment.
Treatments in Sports Medicine
You may need a combination of treatments to help manage pain and build strength, depending on the injury. At WMCHealth, we provide a comprehensive spectrum of treatments.
Medications
Your doctor may prescribe medications to help manage pain and reduce inflammation, which will help promote healing. These may be oral medications such as an NSAID or an injection that would be administered to target a localized area.
Therapy
In addition to medication, you may work with a physical therapist to help improve strength, function, and mobility to the injured area. These exercises may also aid in preventing future injuries. Other types of therapy such as hot or cold therapy may be used to help further the recovery process.
Surgery
If your condition is severe or you haven’t experienced improvement with medication and therapy, surgery may be needed. At WMCHealth, we use the latest techniques and technology to speed up recovery times and reduce pain and possible complications. The arthroscopy procedure we offer is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that allows the surgeon to view the inside of your joint to diagnose and treat many problems that were difficult to address just a few years ago. It also allows for shorter recovery times.