A sports medicine physician is a physician with specialized training who promotes lifelong fitness and wellness, and encourages the prevention of injury and illness. This physician helps the patient maximize function and minimize disability and time away from sports, work, and school. They have a primary specialty in family medicine, internal medicine, emergency medicine, pediatrics, or physical medicine and rehabilitation. They obtain one to two years of additional training in sports medicine through accredited fellowship programs in sports medicine.

Sports medicine physicians specialize in non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal conditions and medical issues affecting athletes. Approximately 90% of all sports injuries require non-surgical treatment. Sports medicine physicians are highly trained to treat these conditions, but they can expedite a referral to an orthopedic/sports surgeon when surgery may be indicated.

Most sports medicine physicians serve as team physicians for local and national teams or clubs. But they do not only treat elite athletes. They are ideal physicians for the non-athlete as well, and are excellent resources for the individual who aspires to become active or begin an exercise program. For the “weekend warrior” or “industrial athlete” who experiences an injury or medical problem, the same expertise used for the competitive athlete can be applied to that individual’s treatment plan, returning the individual as quickly and safely as possible to full function and minimizing the risk of recurrence.

(Adapted from American Medical Society for Sports Medicine “What is a Sports Medicine Physician” brochure)