A sports medicine doctor specializes in treating and preventing activity-related injuries. While all doctors can help an injured person, a sports medicine specialist is trained to quickly assess and treat a sports-related injury so the athlete can get back to playing their sport safely.
Orthopedic surgeon Douglas J. Abeles, MD, completed fellowships at Georgetown University-Virginia Sports Medicine Institute and the University of Southern California-Rancho Los Amigos.
He’s affiliated with the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, as well as the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, and the American Medical Association.
As a sports medicine specialist, Dr. Abeles heads up a sports medicine team at his practice that includes a chiropractor, acupuncturist, and physical therapist to assist in all facets of sports injury treatment and recovery. Here, we explain what makes a sports medicine doctor different.
Diagnoses and treats activity-related injuries
While a sports medicine doctor can help injured athletes, they can also help people who have injured themselves on the job or performing everyday tasks.
Whether the injury is a result of overuse, trauma, or heavy lifting, a sports medicine specialist can diagnose and treat all activity-related injuries, not just injuries that happen on a field or court.
Prevent sports-related injuries
Of course, all doctors can treat an injury. But a sports medicine doctor can also help prevent an injury or re-injury. Prevention is a key aspect of sports medicine.
Dr. Abeles and his sports medicine team help people participate in sports safely so they reduce their risk of injury and achieve optimum performance.
Perform specialized surgery
We can treat most sports injuries with nonsurgical methods such as rest, ice, cortisone injections, and physical therapy. But surgery is necessary for optimal healing and to repair torn tissue or a fractured bone in some cases.
Dr. Abeles specializes in minimally invasive procedures to repair damage to shoulders, knees, spine, hips, and ankles. He can also perform conventional open surgery when needed.
Treat athletes of all ages and skill levels
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or professional athlete ages 8-80, our team at Douglas J. Abeles MD & Associates can help you get in top form or treat any injury from a sprain to a broken bone.
You don’t have to be an all-star athlete to visit a sports medicine specialist. You can be in Little League or the big leagues. Dr. Abeles treats athletes of all ages and skill levels.
If you’re injured or looking for a training and injury prevention program, call us at our Castro Valley, California, office to request an appointment.