Sports medicine, simply stated, is the treatment and prevention of sports-related injuries. It encompasses surgical care, physical therapy, and sports injury prevention and treatment.
Orthopaedic surgeons who hold subspecialty board certification in Sports Medicine by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery have qualifications beyond those expected of other orthopaedic surgeons. To achieve this subspecialty certification, orthopaedic surgeons must have completed a year of additional training in orthopaedic sports medicine as well as meet minimum volume requirements. They then need to pass a 4-hour examination to test their knowledge pertaining to orthopaedic sports medicine.
UnaSource Surgery Center-affiliated sports medicine specialists optimize treatment in order to help athletes get back into the game as soon as possible. They also provide proper guidance and techniques that enable athletes to further protect themselves during any athletic activity, whether it be on the field, rink, court, slopes, track, in the pool, or at the course!
Approximately 8 million sports- and recreation-related injuries occur every year. While many heal on their own or with home remedies, others require surgical care and sports medicine. Sports injuries that may require surgery include: