Sports medicine specialists often treat injuries and ailments that affect athletes. These conditions can include muscle, bone, and joint pain as well as head and neck problems. Some of these injuries may be due to overuse or improper use by the athlete, while others may result from a traumatic event such as a fall or collision with another player. Sometimes, these specialists will also work with physical therapists to help rehabilitate their patients. The goal of treatment is to ensure an athlete is able to return to play in the shortest time possible.
Acute sports injuries are typically the ones that need attention right away. If you have an acute injury, it is best to seek medical help as soon as possible. A sports medicine specialist can properly diagnose and treat your injury so you can return to your sport as quickly as possible.
Sports medicine doctors also commonly treat chronic conditions. These conditions may not require immediate medical attention, but they still need to be addressed in order to prevent them from becoming worse. Some of the most common chronic conditions that sports medicine doctors treat are:
Each of these conditions requires a different approach to treatment, so it is important to consult with a sports medicine doctor to determine the best course of action.
Sports medicine doctors are commonly known for treating overuse conditions and injuries. These can be caused by repetitive motions or stress on the body, and typically result in pain, swelling, or redness. If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s best to consult with a sports medicine specialist to find the source of the issue and receive proper treatment.
Other common symptoms that sports medicine specialists treat include:
Symptoms caused by past injuries include the following:
Stiffness is a symptom sports medicine doctors commonly treat. They also sometimes see patients who have pain during sports or before a competition. In addition, they can help with dizziness and nausea while exercising as well as muscle cramps in the arms, legs, feet, and hands. Sports injuries are often treated by sports medicine specialists too such as ankle sprains. Athletes may seek treatment from sports medicine professionals for problems that occur when running at full speed like shin splints or even stride length issues that cause overuse of certain muscles.
Each of these issues can severely impact your ability to participate in sports or other physical activities, so it’s important to get them taken care of as soon as possible. By visiting a sports medicine doctor, you can get back to doing what you love as quickly as possible.
Muscle cramping is one common condition treated by sports medicine professionals. This painful symptom is often brought on or exacerbated by dehydration resulting from physical exertion which causes an imbalance between electrolytes such as potassium and sodium. sports medicine doctors can help to restore this balance, thereby alleviating the cramps.
Sports medicine doctors are often consulted to treat instability. Instability is a condition that can cause the joint to feel like it is going to give way. It can be caused by a number of factors, such as weakness of the muscles around the joint, damage to the ligaments that hold the joint together, or arthritis.
Symptoms sports medicine specialists commonly treat include tingling and numbness. This is especially true if the symptoms are due to nerve compression or sports-related injuries, such as a torn meniscus in the knee.
One of the most common symptoms sports medicine doctors treat is weakness. Whether it’s a sports-related injury or not, if you’re feeling weak, sports medicine doctors can help. They may prescribe medication or therapy to help improve your condition.
Sports medicine doctors commonly treat swelling. Swelling can be caused by a number of things, such as an injury or overuse. If you are experiencing swelling, it is important to see a sports medicine doctor right away in order to get the appropriate treatment. Sports medicine doctors may prescribe medication or physical therapy in order to help reduce the swelling. By treating the swelling early on, you can help ensure that your injury heals properly and quickly.
Sports medicine specialists are not just limited to treating sports-related injuries. They can also help athletes who are suffering from other types of injuries or illnesses. Some of the most common issues that these doctors deal with include:
These conditions can be caused by a variety of things, including exercise, stress, and even infection. That’s why it’s important to see a sports medicine doctor if you’re experiencing any type of unexplained pain. They will be able to properly diagnose the issue and provide you with the best course of treatment possible.
Sports medicine doctors can help you get back to your active lifestyle. If you’re not able to engage in the activities that you enjoy because of pain or injury, we want to hear from you! We offer a variety of treatments and therapies for sports injuries. Call us today so we can diagnose your symptoms and work with you on getting back out there as soon as possible.
Dr. Chen sees patients at Saint Francis Memorial Hospital Center for Sports Medicine in Walnut Creek, California. He is a board-certified Pediatrician and Sports Medicine Doctor that specializes in the non-operative medical treatment of a wide variety of various musculoskeletal conditions, including back injuries. Dr. Chen graduated from St. George’s University School of Medicine and went on to complete Pediatric residency training at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey (Rutgers), then went on to fellowship training in Sports Medicine at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, one of the perennially top-ranked children’s hospitals in the nation. There he provided sideline coverage for NCAA Division I athletics at the University of Cincinnati and Miami University (OH). Since graduating, Dr. Chen has continued his love of sports coverage by volunteering for the San Francisco Marathon, the San Francisco Giant Race, and as the team physician for Northgate High School in Walnut Creek. Being a part of The Center for Sports Medicine allows Dr. Chen quick access to a multidisciplinary team of orthopedic surgeons, podiatrists, physiatrists, and physical therapists to return you to your highest functional level quickly and safely. Click here to contact us for your next appointment!
925-934-3536
stephen.chen@eastbaysportsdoc.com