If you're injured on or off the field, the HSHS Medical Group Multispecialty Care - St. Elizabeth's sports medicine team is here to help. Learn more about what a sports medicine specialist does below.
What are the most common conditions seen/treated in sports medicine?
The most common conditions seen in sports medicine include:
- Acute muscle/tendon/ligament injuries
- Overuse/repetitive use injuries of tendons/muscles
- Joint arthritis
- Uncomplicated bone fractures
Does sports medicine only work with athletes?
Specialists in sports medicine work with all patients, whether they are avid athletes, recreational athletes or non-athletes.
Does sports medicine offer both surgical and non-surgical options?
If surgery is needed, then the patient is referred to the appropriate surgery specialist. Sports medicine does offer non-surgical rehab and injection treatments.
When would someone see a sports medicine physician versus an orthopaedic surgeon?
A patient may see a sports medicine specialist or an orthopaedic surgeon when there is a need for a detailed evaluation of a joint, tendon, muscle or ligament injury or other concern related to athletic performance. However, sports medicine only offers non-surgical treatments.
What technologies are used to help provide the best care for patients?
Sports medicine uses point-of-care ultrasound and X-ray to help with diagnosis and procedures.
Are certain people more prone to having sports injuries?
It's hard to say if certain people are more prone to injury. But those who participate in contact sports or weekend warriors (people who engage in high-intensity sport at infrequent intervals with lack of proper training) may have more sports injuries than those who do not.
To see an HSHS Medical Group sports medicine provider, call 618-641-5803 or schedule an appointment online.