What is sports medicine? What do you call a doctor that specializes in this kind of medical field? What are the diseases that are being treated? These and many other questions would come to mind when one hears about sports medicine. Here are some of the interesting facts concerning sports medicine. Read on and find out what this is all about.
Historical Background
Sports medicine focuses on the treatment and prevention of injury or illness to persons engaged in sports or physical activities. This is a branch of orthopedics concentrating on the treatment of various injuries as a result of traumatic collision, overuse of the joints specifically of knees, hips, shoulders, wrists and ankles. Sports medicine is somewhat a new concept that became a worthwhile and interesting profession. Doctors specializing in this field put absolute importance in having a healthy lifestyle and healthier body through a well-balanced diet combined with regular exercises.
Common Injuries Treated
Shin Splint is a condition resulting from extreme physical activities and exercise that bring about muscle fatigue thereby resulting from application of extra force to the tissue connecting muscles to shinbone. This can be treated through proper rest and restraining from exercises and physical activities. However, if the pain persists, surgery may be needed depending on the recommendation of the Sports Medicine Physician.
Rotator Cuff Tear is a kind of injury on the shoulder muscle as a result of repetitive motion or traumatic impact. Depending on the severity of the injury, this can be treated through non-surgical or surgical methods.
Achilles Tendon is considered as the biggest tendon in the body connecting the muscle at the lower back leg and the heel bone. When overstretched, a tear may occur resulting to severe pain accompanied by swelling. If the tendon is severely damaged, surgery is the only cure.
Torn Meniscus is a cartilage found between the shin bone and thigh bone. The cause of the tearing of the meniscus is brought about by excessive stress on knee joint from over rotation, prolonged squatting or traumatic collision. Non-surgical treatment like compression can be applied.
Possible Careers
The field of sports medicine deals with the challenging work concerning prevention, cure and recovery from a variety of injuries resulting from sports and other physical activities. With this, various career choices now exists.
A Sports Medicine Physician is one who encourages ultimate wellness and fitness and likewise persuades the deterrence of injury and illness. Normally, a sports medicine physician has an initial specialization in the field of Physical Medicine, Emergency Medicine, Family Practice or Internal Medicine. They need to have at least 1-2 years of supplementary training in the field of sports medicine then take the qualification examination before they can be called Sports Medicine Physician.
Exercise Physiologist is a person whose task is to examine the result of exercise on the person’s body. He will determine the benefits and dangerous effects of exercise to ensure the overall health status of an athlete.
A diet specialist ensures the intake of vital nutrients by athlete thus, he plans his healthy diet. The internship and certification must be duly approved by the American Dietetic Association before he is allowed to prepare and recommend a diet plan to an athlete.
Now that you know some interesting facts concerning sports medicine, you may wish to consider having a career in this field as Sports Medicine is now starting to grow.
