The Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute (OSMI) specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries related to sports and exercise. Our doctors in sports medicine, also known as sport and exercise medicine (SEM), work closely with physical and occupational therapists, as well as athletic trainers that deal with physical fitness and the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
The phrase sports medicine is a general term used to refer to a branch of medicine that focuses on the treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise.
Many people mistakenly assume that sports medicine is a special form of treatment reserved for professional athletes, but nothing could be further from the truth. Sports medicine is for all athletes and anyone who engages in physical activity. This includes recreational weekend warriors and competitive athletes such as youth, high school, collegiate, and professional athletes.
Who Practices Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is not specific to one profession. Sports medicine includes health professionals from a variety of disciplines, including physical therapists, exercise physiologists, certified athletic trainers, primary care physicians, and orthopedic surgeons.
Orthopedic Sports Medicine
Orthopedic medicine is a branch of medicine that focuses on the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, it’s sort of like the medicine of moving parts. Orthopedic sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedic medicine and sports medicine. Orthopedic sports medicine refers to the prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries that result from athletic activity.
Specialists in this field are familiar with conditions that affect the bones, joints, tendons, ligaments, and muscles—and they can use a wide variety of techniques to address these issues, including medications, physical therapy, corrective braces, and surgery.
Some people are surprised to discover that orthopedic sports medicine does not always mean surgery. In fact, many orthopedic sports medicine physicians—including the doctors at the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Institute in Fort Worth (OSMIFW)—choose to practice non-surgical techniques, resorting to surgery only when absolutely necessary.
When surgery is required, orthopedic sports medicine physicians often utilize advanced techniques, such as setting and pinning broken bones or replacing joints such as the knee. At OSMIFW, we specialize in minimally invasive surgery, which can result in fewer complications and faster recovery times.
Benefits of Orthopedics Sports Medicine
The goal of orthopedic sports medicine is to keep patients healthy, with sound musculoskeletal systems. A good orthopedic sports medicine physician will focus on prevention as well as treatment. Orthopedic sports medicine can provide a variety of benefits, including:
- Preventing injury
- Helping people stay active in their desired activities
- Ensuring a fast return to activity after injury
- Balancing overall wellness
At OSMIFW, we provide customized sports medicine treatment for athletes of all ages and levels.
Dr. Boothby believes in exhausting all non-surgical options before recommending an orthopedic surgery intervention. Dr. Boothby acts as either sports medicine team physician or chief orthopedic surgery consultant for several local high school football teams including Aledo, Brewer, Crowley, and North Crowley. He also supports many local sporting events.
When Is It Time to See a Sports Medicine Specialist?
If you live an active lifestyle or participate in athletic activities, chances are you’re going to experience aches and pains at some point in your life. Not every ache or pain requires medical intervention, but sometimes pain can signify a bigger problem. So, how do you know when it’s time to see a doctor?
Assessing Symptoms
Early recognition and treatment of injuries can ensure a safe and speedy return to activity. Any of the following symptoms might indicate a need to visit with a sports medicine specialist:
- Joint swelling, locking, or instability
- Pain or abnormal function of the musculoskeletal system
- Pain that does not go away even with treatments such as rest, ice, or pain medicines
- Pain that disrupts daily activity or sleep
- An injury to a joint, ligament, tendon, or bone
- Inability to fully move a joint, arm, or leg
- Localized pain that gets worse over time or increases with continued activity
- Pain, swelling, stiffness, and/or weakness that gets in the way of training or sports activity
- Any condition that affects training or performance
- Difficulty maintaining or increasing your level of activity as you would like
- Inability to stand or walk
- The Big Picture
If you’ve experienced a major injury, there is usually little doubt about the need to seek medical attention. However, many overuse injuries, such as tendonitis or stress fractures, happen slowly over time and can have subtle symptoms. As a result, many people delay treatment, which can lead to a more serious or disabling injury.
The bottom line, if you’re experiencing symptoms that prevent you from maintaining your normal level of activity, a visit with a sports medicine specialist might be in order. Our goal is to help you get and stay active.
Common Sports Injuries Treated at OSMI
Muscle Strains: Tears in the muscle that cause pain and loss of function
Muscle Cramps: A sudden tight, intense pain caused by a muscle locked in spasm. Muscle cramps are also recognized as an involuntary and forcibly contracted muscle that does not relax
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Sprains: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament involved in knee stabilization. An ACL rupture can occur when the foot is planted and the knee twists to change direction.
- Grade 1 ACL Sprains. The ligament is mildly damaged in a Grade 1 Sprain. It has been slightly stretched, but is still able to help keep the knee joint stable.
- Grade 2 ACL Sprains. A Grade 2 Sprain stretches the ligament to the point where it becomes loose. This is often referred to as a partial tear of the ligament.
- Grade 3 ACL Sprains. This type of sprain is most commonly referred to as a complete tear of the ligament. The ligament has been split into two pieces, and the knee joint is unstable.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears: The anterior cruciate ligament; one of four major knee ligaments necessary for comfortable knee movement, tears, causing major pain and causing the knee to “give out”. The knee ACL can tear for a number of reasons.
Concussion: Concussions are caused by severe head injury where the brain moves violently within the skull so that brain cells all fire at once, much like a seizure
Ankle Sprain: With an ankle sprain the ligaments that hold the ankle bones in place can easily be overstretched.
Shin Splints: The tissue that attaches the muscles of your lower leg to the shin bone may be pulling away from the bone, or it may be inflamed from overuse.
Learn about the Types and Causes of Common Knee Injuries and Problems
Our goal at OSMI is to provide our patients with quality, cutting-edge orthopedic treatments, both surgical and non-surgical. If you have questions about knee arthroscopy or surgery, knee joint pain, or physical therapy, please submit an online appointment request or contact our office at 817-529-1900.
