Sports Medicine Specialist

What is sports medicine?

Primary care sports medicine encompasses care of athletes and active individuals. Sports medicine physicians such as Dr. Garcia specialize in treating all injuries incurred while engaged in sports or exercise, except those injuries requiring surgery, which orthopedic surgeons perform.

A vast majority of sports injuries -- 90% -- do not require surgery. Dr. Garcia, a board-certified physician in sports medicine, has all the relevant technology to diagnose and treat injuries properly. He has X-rays, ultrasounds, lab services, and can perform cast fittings in-office. If patients need advanced surgery, Dr. Garcia recommends an orthopedic surgeon.

What types of injuries do sports medicine physicians treat?

Sports medicine physicians primarily treat musculoskeletal injuries that benefit from the RICE protocol: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Some of the injuries Dr. Garcia is qualified to treat include:

Sprains, strains, joint injuries

Some of the most common sports injuries are ankle or wrist sprains, lumbar strains, etc. Dr. Garcia ensures patients follow the RICE protocol, get physical therapy if required, and after initial trauma subsides, do daily exercises to strengthen joints, ligaments, and tendons.

Arthritis, stress fractures, carpal tunnel, dislocations, rotator cuff, tendonitis

Mature tennis players can get rotator cuff tears, shoulder dislocations, or tendonitis (tennis elbow) from repetitive shoulder motion. Runners frequently get stress fractures in their legs.

For a first shoulder dislocation, patients are placed in a sling, followed by physical therapy. Dr. Garcia fits patients with a cast for a wrist fracture when the bones are still in place.  

Brain injuries and concussions

Dr. Garcia is trained to test for, treat, and clear athletes who have had concussions. Patients with severe symptoms such as vomiting, seizures, or severe headaches need to go to the hospital.

How does sports medicine help prevent injuries?

Dr. Garcia works with patients to help prevent injuries, developing a proactive plan to lessen the chance of mishap during sports activity, focusing on the following areas:

Nutrition

Athletes and those who exercise rigorously require larger amounts of vitamins and minerals, micronutrients, calories, and fluids than sedentary individuals. The nutrients help to prevent injury and deliver optimal performance.

Playing decisions

Safety is Dr. Garcia’s priority. He evaluates athletes to determine their readiness to return to action after an injury.

Exercise regimens for nonathletes

Dr. Garcia designs individual exercise programs and adjusts them over time for sedentary patients who want to start exercising for better health.

Call or book an appointment online with Dr. Garcia today to learn more about how sports medicine gives active individuals the boost they need.