Sports medicine physician

A sports medicine physician specializes in assessing and treating sports-related symptoms. This applies to elite athletes, recreational athletes and people who want to start exercising.

A sports medicine physician can help people with a sports injury or chronic illness, people who want to start exercising again after a long time, or people who want to know how fit they are. You can see a sports medicine physician for a sports medical assessment, which examines the musculoskeletal system and heart and lung function. This is also the right professional to consult for advice about a persistent injury.

Assessment by a sports medicine physician

To determine the problem, the sports medicine physician first asks questions about the nature and onset of the symptoms. This is followed by a physical examination and, if necessary, additional testing, such as an MRI scan, X-ray or blood test.

Treatment by a sports medicine physician

Based on the results of the examination, treatment is started. This may be a training schedule for running a marathon or specific advice and exercises to recover from an injury.

Where and with whom does a sports medicine physician work?

A sports medicine physician often works with an orthopaedic surgeon and refers patients to one if surgery is considered necessary. A cardiologist or respirologist is involved for heart or lung problems. A sports physiotherapist may be consulted to treat an injury. The sports medicine physician works at a sports medicine advice centre or in a hospital.