What does it really mean to be a sports medicine doctor? I recently explored that question with three respected colleagues during the SoMeDocs series The Allures and Myths of Sports Medicine. Our conversation brought together orthopedic surgeons and a non-operative sports medicine physician to examine an increasingly important issue for patients: understanding the training, experience, and scope of practice behind the professionals who provide sports medicine care.
Sports medicine extends far beyond surgery or injections and involves professionals from multiple disciplines, each contributing different skills to the care and recovery of athletes. For patients, however, the challenge is knowing who is treating them and what expertise supports their recommendations. That distinction matters whether you are a recreational athlete dealing with persistent elbow pain after a weekend of pickleball or a professional athlete whose career depends on a healthy shoulder. Every athlete deserves appropriate evaluation, a clear diagnosis, and sports medicine care based on the needs of the individual—not simply the title of the person providing it.
