Seeking the Right Doctor

There are many types of providers offering reparative medicine options. It is important to seek care from a physician that has extensive training in the musculoskeletal system and can offer you many tools to customize a plan that is right for you.

Orthopaedic Surgeon

An orthopaedic surgeon is an expert with extensive training in the proper diagnosis and both non-surgical and surgical treatment of injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic surgeons are medical doctors who have completed a total of approximately 14 years of formal education. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeons must maintain their certification with continuous, life-long learning and demonstrating their expertise on a regular basis via an oral or written examination. Members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons are committed not only to treating injuries, but preventing them.

Orthopaedics Surgeons SPecialize in

Hand  |  Spine  |  Shoulder & Elbow  |  Foot & Ankle  |  Hip & Knee

Orthopaedic surgeons treat patients of all ages— from newborns to the elderly. We treat conditions that include sports injuries and joint replacement to fractures and spinal deformity. Orthopaedic surgeons explore nonsurgical options first, such as pain medication or rehabilitation. They also have the expertise to perform surgery to repair an injury or correct a condition, if necessary.

Reference: www.aaos.org

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Physician

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R), also known as physiatry or rehabilitation medicine, aims to enhance and restore functional ability and quality of life to those with physical impairments or disabilities affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles, and tendons. A physician having completed training in this field is referred to as a physiatrist. Unlike other medical specialties that focus on a medical “cure,” the goals of the physiatrist are to maximize patients’ independence in activities of daily living and improve quality of life.

Physiatrists are experts in designing comprehensive, patient-centered treatment plans, and are integral members of the care team. They utilize cutting-edge as well as time-tested treatments to maximize function and quality of life for their patients, who can range in age from infants to octogenarians.

Reference: www.aapmr.org

Sports Medicine Physician

A Sports Medicine Physicians has significant specialized training in both the treatment and prevention of illness and injury. They are ideally suited to provide comprehensive medical care for athletes, sports teams or active individuals who are simply looking to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Sports Medicine Physicians specialize solely in non-surgical sports medicine and serve as team physicians at the youth level, NCAA, NFL, MLB, NBA, WNBA, MLS and NHL, as well as with Olympic teams.

A Sports Medicine Physician’s Training:

  • Board Certified in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics or Physical Medicine/Rehabilitation.
  • Has obtained one to two years of additional fellowship training in Sports Medicine.
  • Has passed a national Sports Medicine certification examination allowing them to hold a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine.
  • Participates in continuing medical education activities and recertification via re-examination every 10 years. This rigorous process was instituted to distinguish certified Sports Medicine Physicians from other physicians without specialized training.
  • Is a leader of the Sports Medicine team, which also may include specialty physicians and surgeons, athletic trainers, physical therapists, coaches, other personnel and the athlete.

Sports Medicine is a recognized subspecialty by the American Board of Medical Subspecialties and by Medicare.

Reference: www.amssm.org

Find a Physician that offers LIPOGEMS