What is Sports Medicine?
The practice of Sports Medicine involves the diagnosis, management and prevention of injuries and conditions related to sports, exercise and physical activity and is performed by a Sports Medicine Physician. Sports Medicine Physicians are medical doctors that have completed an additional specialized training, fellowship and national certifying examination, in sports and exercise medicine. In order to assist with a diagnosis, a Sports Medicine Physician can order, discuss and interpret tests results (e.g.: Ultrasound, MRI, CT scan and X-rays). They work closely with the multidisciplinary team to promote and maximize the rehabilitation process. The Sports Medicine Physician can provide the patient with recommendations on the most appropriate rehabilitation program and treatment approach, provide advice on sport-specific training, nutrition and exercise, prescribe bracing or medications, as well as individualized guidelines for return to sport. They have extensive knowledge in sport safety, specific injury guidelines (e.g. concussions) and associated recommendations.
Need for sports medicine:
The report “Injuries in Canada: Insights from the Canadian Community Health Survey” 2011 from Statistics Canada reports that young people aged 12 – 19 have the highest number of Injuries of any age group. This is increasing over time and two out of three (Jan 9, 2017 4) are related to sports. This significantly affects the hospitals with the Canadian Hospitals Injury Reporting and Prevention Program (CHIRPP) surveillance data from the Canadian emergency department visits showing that for the age group of 10 – 19 years, a significant number of all injuries presenting at emergency departments are related to sports. Many musculoskeletal and concussion injuries require follow up care through the healing process and as the individual returns to their sporting/physical activity.
Timely, accurate, efficient assessment and management of injury, including sports injury in paediatric patients continues to be an area of weakness in many primary care and paediatrician offices. There is also lack of knowledge regarding the management of other musculoskeletal conditions, such as congenital disorders, which can lead to extended periods of pain and disability for children and youth that can extend into adulthood. This can result in a decrease in levels of physical activity at a critical stage of development when children and youth should be building confidence for healthy life behaviours. Unfortunately, this lack of care can lead to poor outcomes for children and youth as well as inappropriate referral to orthopaedic surgical specialists and/or unnecessary testing, particularly radiation exposure, ultrasounds and expensive MRIs.
John F. Philpott, MD, FRCPC, FAAP, Dip Sport Med
Assistant Professor, Section of Community Paediatrics, University of Toronto