FAQ: Sports Medicine

Sports medicine is a medical specialty focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries and conditions related to physical activity and athletics. Doctors who specialize in sports medicine care for high school, college, and professional athletes, as well as recreational participants, treating everything from sprains, fractures, and concussions to knee, shoulder, and overuse injuries. Treatment approaches range from nonsurgical options like physical therapy, medication, and bracing to surgical procedures when necessary.

A Sports Medicine Physician is a medical doctor who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and conditions related to musculoskeletal issues. Sports Medicine Physicians care for individuals of all ages and activity levels, from competitive athletes to active adults and those looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They focus on helping patients recover from injury, optimize performance, and safely return to the activities they enjoy.

Sports Medicine Physicians complete:

1. A bachelor’s degree
2. Medical school (MD or DO)
3. Residency training in a primary specialty such as:
   • Family Medicine
   • Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (PM&R)
   • Pediatrics
   • Emergency Medicine
   • Internal Medicine
4. Additional Sports Medicine training, which may include specialized clinical experience and/or a Sports Medicine fellowship.

This extensive training provides expertise in musculoskeletal injuries, concussion management, exercise medicine, injury prevention, and return-to-play decision making.

A Board-Certified Sports Medicine Physician is a physician who has met rigorous national standards in Sports Medicine and has successfully passed a comprehensive board certification examination. Board certification demonstrates advanced knowledge and expertise in the evaluation and management of sports-related injuries, medical conditions affecting athletes, and exercise-related health concerns.

Board certification also requires ongoing education and periodic recertification to ensure physicians remain current with the latest evidence-based practices and advances in Sports Medicine.

A Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Physician has completed an additional year (or more) of specialized training after residency focused exclusively on Sports Medicine.

During fellowship training, physicians gain advanced experience in:

• Sports injury diagnosis and treatment
• Concussion evaluation and management
• Musculoskeletal ultrasound
• Ultrasound-guided procedures and injections
• Injury prevention strategies
• Return-to-play and return-to-activity decision making
• Care of athletes across all ages and levels of competition

Fellowship-trained Sports Medicine Physicians often serve as team physicians for high school, collegiate, professional, and elite athletes, while also providing expert care to active individuals in their communities.

A primary care sports medicine doctor is a leader in the field of sports medicine. Either through advanced fellowship training or through years of clinical experience, a primary care sports medicine doctor has learned the skills to take care of athletes of all ages, sports, and levels of competition. Primary care sports medicine doctors often serve as team doctors to professional sports teams or are personal doctors to elite-level athletes.

A Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC) is a licensed, board-certified healthcare professional who specializes in the prevention, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries and medical conditions related to physical activity, exercise, and sports. Athletic Trainers care for athletes and active individuals of all ages and activity levels in a variety of settings, including sports medicine clinics, hospitals, schools, colleges and universities, professional sports organizations, and industry.

Certified Athletic Trainers complete a bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited Athletic Training Program, which includes extensive classroom education and supervised clinical experience in injury evaluation, emergency care, concussion management, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. They earn the ATC credential by passing the national Board of Certification (BOC) examination and must maintain continuing education and state licensure requirements to remain current with evidence-based healthcare practices. Board certification demonstrates that an Athletic Trainer has met nationally recognized standards for education, clinical training, and professional competency.

Physician Assistants are healthcare professionals that are licensed to examine, order and interpret tests, and diagnose and treat patients with the supervision of a doctor as part of a healthcare team. P.A.s have their master’s degree and undergo 6 – 7 years of education before obtaining a national certification. Depending on the type of medical setting, physician assistants practice in offices, hospitals, and also assist surgeons in the operating room. P.A.s provide a broad range of healthcare services that are similar to those you receive from a doctor. They are trained to recognize when patients need the attention of their supervising doctor.

Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Physicians commonly refer patients to Physical Therapists (PTs) for the treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. Physical Therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in improving movement, restoring function, reducing pain, and helping patients safely return to work, sports, and daily activities.

Physical Therapy may be recommended for sports injuries, postoperative rehabilitation, injury prevention, balance and mobility concerns, chronic pain conditions, and performance optimization.

Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Physicians commonly refer patients to Occupational Therapists (OTs) for the treatment of upper extremity conditions, including injuries involving the hand, wrist, elbow, and shoulder, as well as work-related injuries.

Occupational Therapists are licensed healthcare professionals who specialize in helping patients regain function and independence through therapeutic exercise, patient education, splinting, adaptive techniques, ergonomic assessments, and activity-specific rehabilitation programs. Their goal is to help patients safely return to work, daily activities, sports, and hobbies.