Sports Medicine Specialist

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is an orthopedic specialty that diagnoses, treats, and prevents sports and other activity-related injuries.

If you play golf ortennis, run, lift weights, or work a strenuous job, you’re more likely to experience chronic pain or musculoskeletal injuries. Visiting a sports medicine specialist at CoreSmart can alert you to potential risks, educate you on the importance of warming up and cooling down, and help you stay healthy, active, and injury-free.

What conditions can benefit from sports medicine?

Sports Medicine is a specialty that deals with joint, muscle and tendon injuries, as well as physical fitness, treatment, and the prevention of injuries.

At CoreSmart, Dr. Friedman treats various conditions, including:

• Sprains
• Strains
• Hip and knee injuries
• Swollen muscles
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Foot and ankle injuries including Achilles tendon injuries and Plantar Fasciitis.
• Hand and wrist injuries

Sports medicine can help manage pain associated with existing sports injuries and also helps to prevent further damages from occurring.

What happens during a sports medicine appointment?

Your first sports medicine appointment will be similar to your other medical appointments. Your provider will want to learn more about your activity level and your injuries.

At CoreSmart, Dr. Friedman tailors treatments to each person’s needs.

Before developing a treatment plan, Dr. Friedman reviews your medical records and asks about the reason for your visit, including the type of activities you do, if you’re experiencing any pain, and if you’ve experienced injuries in the past.

Dr. Friedman is double board-certified and specializes in interventional pain management. His assessment is quite thorough and unique. He takes the time to see where your pain is coming from and wants to identify the root cause of your pain. He works with you to develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs.

Next, Dr. Friedman conducts a physical exam. He assesses the involved joint in detail, inspecting the joint structure and alignment,  as well as the surrounding muscles and ligaments. 

He then evaluates your range of motion, sensation, and muscle strength. Dr. Friedman may also order laboratory tests, including blood work and urinalysis, and utilize diagnostic testing such as ultrasound and MRI imaging to evaluate your bones, joints, and soft tissues.

After gathering a complete picture of your lifestyle and health, Dr. Friedman develops a sports medicine treatment plan. Often, that includes healthy lifestyle changes, activity modification, and regular checkups.

How are sports injuries treated?

At CoreSmart, Dr. Friedman treats sports injuries using conservative and minimally invasive treatments whenever possible. For example, he might recommend:

• Ice
• Rest
• Compression
• Bracing with a cast or a splint
• Physical therapy
• PRP
• Injections

Under Dr. Friedman's exceptional care, your symptoms should improve over time. He takes more of a conservative approach and has his patients’ best interests in mind. 

Dr. Friedman can refer you to physical therapy if needed as part of your treatment plan.

How can I avoid a sports injury?

If you want to avoid a sports injury, it’s important to warm up and stretch before exercise. Dr. Friedman also recommends:

• Using the proper technique
• Wearing the right shoes
• Wearing the necessary safety equipment
• Stretching your  trunk and extremities prior to workouts
• Activating your core muscles during activity
• Cooling down after exercise
• Easing into new activities

It’s also essential to listen to your body. Don't keep going if you experience a sore muscle or a stiff joint. It’s better to take a break than it is to push through the pain and hurt yourself.

Prevent injuries and boost performance with sports medicine at CoreSmart. Call our office at 561-923-9599 or visit us online today.