New York Spine Institute Spine Services

What is sports medicine

What is sports medicine
Timothy T. Roberts, M.D, FAAOS

What is sports medicine

By: Timothy T. Roberts, M.D. FAAOS

Dr. Roberts earned his Doctorate of Medicine from Tufts University School of Medicine in Boston, Massachusetts. He completed his orthopedic residency at Albany Medical College. Dr. Roberts then went on to complete the neurosurgery/orthopaedic spine surgery-combined fellowship at the prestigious Cleveland Clinic. Following graduation, Dr. Roberts worked for several years in a large private practice in Florida, but has since returned to his native New York.

If you’ve sustained an injury while playing a sport or exercising, it’s common to go to a sports medicine health care provider to receive treatment. Sports medicine doctors at the New York Spine Institute specialize in orthopedic sports medicine and can ensure accurate diagnosis for various difficult sports-related injuries or conditions.

Whether you’ve just been advised to see a sports medicine health care provider for the first time or are curious and want to learn more about this type of medical care, here’s all you need to know about sports medicine.

What’s Sports Medicine?

While not a medical specialty, sports medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of injuries related to physical fitness activities such as sports or exercise.

A doctor who specializes in sports medicine has the training and expertise to understand sports injuries and can assist all kinds of active people. The goal of sports medicine is to help you heal, get back in the game and maximize your performance. Whether dealing with an injured child or adult, these medical professionals have the specialized training needed to help athletes live an overall healthier lifestyle. Along with aiding an individual’s recovery from their sports injuries, sports doctors can help patients:

  • Cope with any chronic illness they have.
  • Identify the cause of their injury so they can prevent future harm.
  • Learn more about diet and nutrition.
  • Monitor injury prevention and minimize recovery time.
  • Receive the care and rehabilitation procedures needed to heal and restore functionality and performance.

However, sports medicine involves more than just treating athletes. Individuals who have physically intense jobs or do a lot of manual labor can also benefit from receiving this type of treatment. Our specialists are deeply committed to the well-being of all his patients, ensuring consistent and accurate diagnoses no matter what caused your injury or orthopedic issue.

About Sports Medicine Health Care Providers

To treat sports-related or repetitive use injuries, most sports medicine providers will receive certification in a specialty such as family or internal medicine before receiving additional training. Usually, these board-certified professionals work as a team, most often led by a physician. 

Several other medical professionals may collaborate and deliver advice along with your main physician — ranging from information on exercise to dietary supplements. A team of sports medicine health care professionals will often include:

  • Certified athletic trainers.
  • Dietitians/nutritionists.
  • Physical therapists.
  • Rehabilitation specialists.
  • Sports psychologists.

What Types of Injuries Can Sports Medicine Treat?

Specialists trained in sports medicine can treat a wide range of injuries brought about by any kind of physical fitness activity. Dr. Roberts has expertise in treating a variety of injuries and underlying conditions, including:

  • Ankle sprains.
  • Cartilage injuries.
  • Concussions.
  • Dislocations.
  • Exercise-induced asthma.
  • Fractures.
  • Heat illnesses.
  • Knee/shoulder injuries.
  • Shin splints.
  • Sprains.
  • Tendonitis.
  • Torn rotator cuffs.

Start on the Road to Recovery at New York Spine Institute

Here at the New York Spine Institute, our specialists are proud to work with patients from all backgrounds to treat a wide range of conditions. Whether you are dealing with a common or complex sports injury, he will walk you through your treatment options to ensure you receive the best level of care. As part of the Tri-State’s largest multi-specialty spine and orthopedic center, Dr. Roberts has extensive experience treating conditions involving the legs, arms, back and neck.

Dr. Roberts is dedicated to serving with compassion and quality. No matter your injury, he and the rest of the NYSI team are here to help you find relief and restore your quality of life. By providing tailored medical treatments, we strive to meet all your specific needs.

Learn more about our diagnostic capabilities or physical therapy care for sports accidents. Or, call us at 1-888-444-NYSI or schedule an appointment today to meet with Dr. Roberts.