Sports Medicine

A sports physician is a doctor who specialises in sports related medicine. This usually entails caring for patients with injuries sustained whilst involved in sports, diagnosing injury, then guiding through treatment and rehabilitation until they can return to their sporting activity.

Medical Conditions

Any sports related illness
Strains and sprains
Sports related pain

Specialty Areas of Interest

Sports injury
Sports physiology
Elite athlete training and injury
Injury prevention

Associated Tests

Procedures

Treatment usually involves extensive advice regarding injury prevention, minimisation and rehabilitation. It may include medications, physiotherapy, technique modification, advice, splinting and strapping or occassionally an operation.

What to expect

History

Your sports physician will begin by asking about your sporting activity. Your level of activity - recreational vs professional. Then they will discuss your symptoms. This is usually pain related to a particular sporting activity.

Examination

Your sports physician (doctor) will examine the affected body region in detail.
From the history and examination your doctor will have a good idea of what the problem is and the best treatment. They may then organise a few tests to confirm their thoughts before initiating treatment.