When to See a Sports Doctor
When minor injuries occur in daily life, you can often manage them with rest or visit your primary care doctor. However, there are times when it’s crucial to see a sports doctor to get the best care. Knowing when to transition from self-treatment to consulting a specialist can impact your recovery, prevent long-term issues and get you back to your normal routine.
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Sports Injury Red Flags to Look Out for
The following sports injury warning signs will help you determine whether sports medicine or primary care is the right choice for your situation.
1. Visible Deformity or Significant Swelling
A visible deformity is a sign of a serious sports injury and could indicate that the injured area, such as a joint or limb, is dislocated or not properly aligned as it should be. In addition, when an injured area swells significantly, it’s a red flag you should take seriously — particularly if the swelling occurs rapidly after the injury.
Both visible deformity and rapid swelling are signs of a structural injury, which is unlikely to heal properly without specialist care.
2. Inability to Bear Weight
If you can’t put weight on an injured area because of significant pain, the injury is likely more than a minor sprain or bruise. In these cases, the injury may be a fracture, a severe ligament tear or a soft tissue issue. A sports medicine specialist can determine the extent of the damage and work with you to develop a treatment plan to prevent further injury.
3. Instability in a Joint
Joint instability leaves you feeling like your joint is giving out, buckling or unable to support itself. This happens when there is damage to the ligaments, tendons and surrounding muscles that normally stabilize a joint. This out-of-place feeling in your joints is a sign that you should see an expert for your sports injury.
4. Pain That Worsens With Activity
It’s normal to feel some discomfort during physical activity. However, if you feel pain that consistently worsens during or immediately after engaging in a specific activity, then it’s time to see an orthopedic surgeon. Continuing to push through this pain can lead to further damage, delayed healing and even a chronic problem.
5. Limited Range of Motion
After a sports injury, you may find that you can’t fully bend, straighten, rotate or move a limb through its usual range of motion. If this is the case, there is likely an underlying problem that requires professional assessment and rehabilitation.
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Sports Medicine Specialist vs. Orthopedic Surgeon
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms above, you may be unsure whether to seek expert help from a sports medicine specialist or an orthopedic surgeon.
A sports medicine specialist can provide nonsurgical management of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions. In cases where surgery is needed for a sports injury, such as a meniscus tear, an orthopedic surgeon is necessary.
Get the Best of Both Worlds With Barrett S. Brown, MD
Dr. Barrett S. Brown is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and offering the best of both worlds. Schedule an appointment online or call us at 346-247-2531 today.
