Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries suffered during athletic activity. The goal of treatment is to heal and rehabilitate injuries so patients can quickly return to their athletic activities. Participating in sports places wear-and-tear on the body, and can lead to orthopedic injuries. Athletes are susceptible to injuries that include stress fractures and chronic pain, as well as tearing or stretching of internal structures. Treatment for these conditions can involve surgery, orthotics, physical therapy and rest.

Specialized Care In Sports Medicine
Many physicians work together to help a patient regain maximum use of an injured limb or joint. A sports injury is typically treated by a physician, orthopaedic surgeon, rehabilitation specialist, athletic trainer and physical therapist, all of whom have specialized training in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports injuries. Common injuries treated in sports medicine include:

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
Compartment syndrome
Fractures
Heat exhaustion
Muscle contusions (bruises)
Muscle cramps
Shin splints
Sprains and strains
Stress fractures
Torn tendons and ligaments
Sports injuries are often repairable with arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive procedure that allows doctors to diagnose and sometimes treat joint injuries and disease through small incisions in the skin.

Arash A. Dini MD

Health Care - Physical Therapy

Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics that deals with the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries suffered during athletic activity. The goal of treatment is to heal and rehabilitate injuries so patients can quickly...See more