When Should You See A Sports Medicine Specialist?

It’s a common misconception that sports medicine specialists only deal with professional athletes, but they often help regular fitness enthusiasts as well. If you’ve fallen, twisted or broken a bone, you may have problems with your mobility which you’ll need to see a specialist for in order to heal the problem properly.

If these are your injuries, you’ll need to see someone who specialises in musculoskeletal injuries. If your practitioner can’t diagnose you merely by looking at the problem, you may need further tests such as an x-ray or magnetic resonance imaging to decipher what the problem is. You need to see the right person for the job in hand – in doing so, you’re taking a proactive approach towards your treatment and care, which is vital in healing properly. Check the reputation of your doctor, perhaps by speaking to previous patients, so that you ensure they’ll offer the best treatment. Also, you should take into account what type of insurance you have. You should choose your doctor, not simply rely on those which your insurance policy recommends. There are payment options available if your insurance doesn’t cover the doctor you wish to use.

Sports medicine encapsulates all injuries which fall under the musculoskeletal system, so you may want to narrow down your search by opting for a doctor who specialises in your age group. Pediatric specialists, for example, will be no use to you if you’re in your twenties. This will only hinder your healing time and make resolving your issue more difficult. A good sports doctor will devise a treatment plan which spans several months, so that your treatment continues past the healing stage and helps you to recover more effectively. If you try to heal too quickly, you’ll risk doing serious damage to the bone or ligaments.

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