Whatever sport is your favorite, keeping healthy and ahead of the game takes time and dedication and the unfortunate truth is sports injuries are common part of any pastime.

Even if you’re not a professional athlete a sports medicine physician can help with an injury or improve your performance. Sports medicine physicians like Health First’s Dr. Ryan Wood have specialized training to promote lifelong fitness and wellness and encourage prevention of illness and injury. They also focus on nutrition, weight loss, ergogenic aids, performance enhancement and injury prevention

These physicians help patients maximize function and minimize disability and time away from sports, work, or school. Sports medicine physicians can also take care of the entire athlete’s needs such as diabetes, HTN, asthma.

The good news is approximately 90% of all sports injuries are non-surgical, and sports medicine physicians can expedite referral to an orthopedic/sports suregon when indicated, and can help guide referrals to appropriate rehabilitative care and ancillary services as needed.

A very important factor to the prevention of injuries is physical therapy and education.

For example, most rotator cuff injuries complete some form of rotator cuff strengthening programs with scapular stabilization and evaluation of biomechanics. This may also include ultrasound, utilization of TENS units, massage.  The most important aspect is sports specific training. The sports medicine physician may also recommend corticosteroid injections into certain joints.

Common examples of musculoskeletal problems include:

Acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee & shoulder injuries, and fractures)

Over use injuries (such as tendonitis, stress fracture)

Back pain

Treatments of the injuries depend on the particular type. Treatments include rest, ice, compression and elevation.  There are also certain medications such as the anti-inflammatory groups, Ultram, newer compund creams. Platelett Rich Plasma and Synvisc/Orthovisc injection. Splinting and casting.

There are ways to prevent injuries:

A complete sports physical and evaluation

Proper discussion and education regarding stretching, nutrition, strength training, biomechanics, cool down, hydration and appropriate sport specific equipment.

Ryan Wood M.D.,M.H.S.A., CAQSM
Board Certified Primary Care
Sports Medicine Fellowship Trained
Viera Hospital
(321) 434-9233