Sports Medicine Specialist

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is a branch of orthopaedic medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports injuries. As specialists in sports medicine, the team at Weiss Orthopedics has extensive training and experience in caring for teens and adults who play sports, run, visit the gym, and stay active. 

The team understands that certain types of athletic activities are more likely to cause specific types of injuries. However, treatments are always customized based on the individual patient, not the injury or sport. The team works with you to understand your symptoms, how your injury occurred, and what parts of your body have been injured or damaged. They use this information to develop an effective treatment plan for you and your unique athletic goals.

When should I see an orthopaedist for sports medicine?

Orthopaedists are traditionally considered the highest level of specialists in sports medicine. The Weiss Orthopedics team sees men and women at all levels of athletic competition and recreation and aims to help you recover as quickly as possible so you can return to your favorite sport or workout.

Primary care doctors can diagnose and treat common and minor sports injuries, like general knee or shoulder pain, though orthopaedists like those at Weiss Orthopedics have more training in advanced diagnostic procedures and imaging in addition to offering a wider array of treatment options. 

Whether you need a second opinion or simply want the expertise that comes from an orthopaedist, the Weiss Orthopedics team can help you. They work with local diagnostic and imaging centers to ensure you get the right diagnosis and then provide appropriate treatment, including physical therapy and rehab referrals when needed.

Do I need surgery for my injury?

The majority of sports injuries heal without the need for surgery. In some cases, the team may recommend surgery for your injury if you’ve experienced: 

• Significant structural damage
• Severely limited range of motion
• Pain with many or all movements
• Progressively worsening pain
• Discomfort that prevents you from participating in sports long-term

Before considering surgery, the team recommends appropriate conservative measures to relieve pain and dysfunction caused by sports injuries. Common conservative options include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, joint injections, and physical therapy.

What are the signs of a sports injury?

Sports injuries are typically the result of trauma or overuse. With traumatic cases, symptoms are more dramatic, though overuse can produce chronic and uncomfortable symptoms that may progress, causing greater pain and disability. Possible signs of a sports injury include:

• Swelling, redness, or bruising
• Pain with movement or bearing weight
• Instability or feeling like the joint could give out
• Stiffness or spasm
• Popping, clicking, and locking

The team determines your diagnosis following extensive consultation and exam. Overuse injuries are often preceded by repetitive movements or over-exercise without adequate rest while traumatic injuries have an obvious cause, such as throwing, twisting the knee, or colliding with another player.

What are the most common types of sports injuries?

Depending on the sport you play or athletic activities you participate in, some injuries are more likely to happen than others. Some common sports injuries are:

• Dislocations
• Tendinitis
• Muscle strains or tears
• Ligament sprains or tears
• Fractures
• Tendon ruptures
• Meniscus tears
• Labral tears
• Plantar fasciitis

The team can help you identify any areas of weakness or instability to develop a treatment plan to reduce your risk of re-injury. 

What’s the difference between an acute and chronic injury?

Acute injuries are often the result of trauma and cause immediate pain and disability. Chronic injuries are typically caused by wear-and-tear and present with mild discomfort that lingers for weeks or months. 

Acute injuries require immediate attention to prevent permanent damage to the injured sites, while chronic injuries only require care if the pain doesn’t resolve with a period of rest or your pain is getting worse.

Based on your symptoms and injury history, Dr. Weiss can determine whether you’re dealing with an acute or chronic injury. It’s important to make the distinction because acute and chronic injuries are treated differently. With an acute injury, the focus is on pain relief and repairing the damaged areas, while chronic injuries can benefit from anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.

What treatments are available for sports injuries?

The Weiss Orthopedics team offers comprehensive care for all types of sports injuries, including:

• Rest and activity modification
• Bracing and athletic taping
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Corticosteroid injections
• Physical therapy
• Regenerative medicine
• Surgery

Based on your diagnosis, symptoms, and lifestyle, the team works with you to develop a personalized treatment plan so you can get back to your favorite sports or workouts as quickly as possible.

Dr. Weiss is the team physician for the San Rafael Pacifics, and the Sonoma Stompers, local minor league professional baseball teams.