Sports Medicine in Wilmington, DE
Keeping patients healthy is the common goal among medical professionals. Of the myriad of medical specialties that exist today, sports medicine is centered within a wellness-based (rather than disease-based) model. Beyond the abilities of other clinicians, sports medicine physicians, by virtue of their training, have the capability to take a sedentary population and incorporate the health-beneficial effects of exercise into people’s lives.
Sports Medicine Physicians
Sports medicine physicians undergo extensive training in musculoskeletal medicine. Sports medicine physicians practice non-operative sports medicine with a focus on advanced diagnostic skills such as musculoskeletal ultrasound and minimally invasive procedures, like injections, which help to identify injury patterns and deliver advanced treatment methods to their patients.
Non-Operative Treatment
While orthopedic surgeons specialize in the operative treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, sports medicine physicians focus on the whole person to accurately diagnose and optimize non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. This serves the great majority of the population since the majority of musculoskeletal injuries are best treated non-surgically. If surgery for an injury is required, sports medicine physicians can expedite referral to the appropriate surgical specialty for intervention. They can also help guide referrals to appropriate rehabilitative care and ancillary services when necessary or even develop appropriate home rehabilitation programs for patients which saves money without compromising care.
Sports Medicine
Common examples of musculoskeletal problems include:
- Acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee and shoulder injuries, and fractures)
- Overuse injuries (such as rotator cuff injuries and other forms of tendonitis/tendinosis, stress fractures)
- Osteoarthritis
Sports medicine physicians have received additional training in the non-musculoskeletal aspects of sports medicine. Common examples include:
- Concussion (mild traumatic brain injury) and other head injuries
- Athletes with chronic or acute illness (such as infectious mononucleosis, asthma, or diabetes)
- Nutrition, supplements, ergogenic aids, and performance issues
- Exercise prescription for patients who want to increase their fitness
- Injury prevention
- “Return to play” decisions in the sick or injured athlete
- Recommendations on safe strength training and conditioning exercises
- Healthy lifestyle promotion
To learn more about our non-operative approach to Sports medicine.
Call Delaware Sports Medicine at (302) 792-7222
