What kind of doctor do I need for a knee injury?
What kind of doctor do I need for a knee injury?
Type of Doctor to See For Knee Pain To get the best possible treatment, choose an orthopedic doctor. Orthopedic doctors have the specialized knowledge and training needed to treat a wide variety of problems affecting the musculoskeletal system — bones, joints, cartilage, muscles, and nerves — including the knees.
What is a sports injury specialist called?
A sports medicine doctor is a primary care doctor who is specially trained to diagnose and treat injuries that are sustained while playing sports and any other type of orthopedic (musculoskeletal) injury.
What is the most common knee injury in sports?
ACL injuries are one of the most common types of knee injuries and account for about 40 percent of all sports-related injuries. An ACL injury can range from a small tear in the ligament to a severe injury –when the ligament completely tears or becomes separated from the bone itself.
How do you treat sports knee injuries?
Suggestions for first aid treatment of an injured knee include:
- Stop your activity immediately.
- Rest the joint at first.
- Reduce pain, swelling and internal bleeding with icepacks, applied for 15 minutes every couple of hours.
- Bandage the knee firmly and extend the wrapping down the lower leg.
- Elevate the injured leg.
What should I do if I think I tore my meniscus?
Treatment
- Rest. Avoid activities that aggravate your knee pain, especially any activity that causes you to twist, rotate or pivot your knee.
- Ice. Ice can reduce knee pain and swelling.
- Medication. Over-the-counter pain relievers also can help ease knee pain.
What kind of doctor treats athletes?
A sports medicine physician 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.
What is the difference between a sports medicine doctor and an orthopedic doctor?
Orthopedics focuses exclusively on musculoskeletal conditions, while sports medicine can address concerns outside the realm of the musculoskeletal system. A physician in either field may resolve your concerns, but it helps to know the differences between the two when making a choice.
What are 3 common knee injuries?
The most common knee injuries include fractures around the knee, dislocation, and sprains and tears of soft tissues, like ligaments. In many cases, injuries involve more than one structure in the knee. Pain and swelling are the most common signs of knee injury.
How long do knee injuries take to heal?
For knee sprains or strains, the healing time is typically 2 to 4 weeks. For major injuries as a result of trauma, it can take from 4 up to 12 months. Of course, this healing time would be dependent on the treatment being administered and the lifestyle of the patient.