Sports Medicine What is a sports medicine specialist? There are two types of sports medicine specialists: orthopedic and primary care. Both must complete a residency and then a highly competitive sports medicine fellowship. Although both types of specialists often work together, especially with professional athletic teams, they have different training and responsibilities. Orthopedic sports medicine specialists must complete an orthopedic residency and a post-residency fellowship in sports medicine. The extra training and specialization is geared towards the surgical treatment of sports injuries. Primary care sports medicine specialists must complete a residency in one of the following areas: internal medicine, family practice, physical medicine and rehabilitation, pediatrics, or emergency medicine, and then complete a primary care sports medicine fellowship. The extra training during the fellowship is geared toward the diagnosis and non-operative treatment of orthopedic sports medicine injuries as well as the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases affecting athletes. (diabetes, asthma, infections, etc...) Most fellowships also have additional training in exercise prescriptions, preparticipation physicals for athletes, and cardiovascular/orthopedic screening for individuals who wish to start an exercise program. After completion of a competitive post-residency fellowship, primary care sports medicine specialists must pass a comprehensive written exam to receive added qualifications in sports medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Primary care sports medicine specialists are trained to treat non-operative sports injuries and are experts in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. Although 90% of all sports injuries are deemed non-operative, most primary care sports medicine specialists work closely with orthopedic surgeons and refer their operative cases to orthopedic sports specialists. Likewise, many orthopedic surgeons refer their non-operative cases to primary care sports medicine specialists. Do sports medicine specialists only treat athletes? Although many primary care sports medicine specialists serve as team doctors for high school, college, and professional athletic teams, given their expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of the musculoskeletal system, most primary care sports medicine doctors also treat non-athletes with musculoskeletal complaints including strains, sprains, back pain, joint pain, tendonitis, arthritis, stress fractures, and non-athletic injuries. In addition, primary care sports medicine specialists are specially trained to perform preparticipation physicals for athletes and preparticipation screening for non-athletes who wish to start an exercise program. To schedule an appointment please call (973)535-8300
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