Andrews Sports Medicine treats injuries specific to athletes and active people, not all bone and joint problems

Andrews Sports Medicine is a specialty within orthopedic surgery that focuses on musculoskeletal injuries tied to sports, exercise, or repetitive motion. While a general orthopedic surgeon treats fractures, arthritis, joint replacement, and structural bone disease across all populations, a sports medicine doctor concentrates on injuries that happen during athletic activity or affect people who want to return to sport or high activity levels.

The distinction matters because sports medicine physicians use different diagnostic tools, rehabilitation protocols, and sometimes different surgical techniques than general orthopedic surgeons. They are trained to think about how an injury will affect an athlete's performance, not just whether the joint works for everyday life. A sports medicine doctor might recommend a different surgical approach or a more aggressive rehabilitation timeline than a general orthopedic surgeon would for the same injury.

Andrews Sports Medicine specifically refers to the practice and philosophy developed by Dr. James Andrews, one of the most recognized sports medicine surgeons in the United States. His clinics and affiliated centers operate in multiple states and treat professional athletes, college athletes, and recreational patients with sports-related injuries.

Key Takeaways

  • Sports medicine doctors specialize in injuries from athletic activity and focus on returning patients to sport or high activity levels, whereas general orthopedic surgeons treat all bone and joint conditions.
  • Andrews Sports Medicine clinics employ sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers who work together on injury treatment and prevention.
  • Common conditions treated include rotator cuff tears, ACL injuries, meniscus tears, and overuse injuries like tendinitis and stress fractures.
  • Sports medicine doctors use imaging (MRI, ultrasound), physical examination, and sometimes injection therapy before recommending surgery.
  • Treatment often includes physical therapy and rehabilitation designed to restore strength and movement specific to the sport or activity the patient wants to return to.

Types of injuries sports medicine doctors treat

Sports medicine physicians see injuries that fall into two broad categories: acute injuries from a single event, and chronic injuries from overuse or repetitive stress. Acute injuries include ACL tears in the knee, rotator cuff tears in the shoulder, ankle sprains, and fractures that happen during competition or training. Chronic injuries include tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon), stress fractures, shin splints, and cartilage damage that develops over time.

The shoulder and knee are the most common sites treated in sports medicine because they bear load and move through large ranges of motion during athletic activity. Rotator cuff tears, labral tears, and shoulder impingement are frequent in overhead athletes like baseball pitchers and tennis players. ACL tears, meniscus tears, and patellar tendinitis are common in cutting and jumping sports like basketball and soccer.

Sports medicine doctors also treat injuries in the ankle, elbow, hip, and lower leg. They manage conditions like lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow), medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow), high ankle sprains, and hamstring strains. Some sports medicine practices also focus on concussion management and return-to-play protocols for head injuries.

How sports medicine diagnosis differs from general orthopedic evaluation

A sports medicine doctor performs the same physical examination techniques as a general orthopedic surgeon but asks different questions during the history. They want to know the exact mechanism of injury, what sport or activity caused it, what movements make it worse, and what the patient's goals are for return to activity. They also assess the patient's training load, technique, equipment, and any biomechanical issues that may have contributed to the injury.

Imaging—MRI, ultrasound, and X-ray—plays a role in both specialties, but sports medicine doctors often use ultrasound more frequently because it allows real-time visualization of movement and can be done in the office during the visit. They may also use ultrasound to guide injections of corticosteroids or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) into injured tissues.

The goal of the evaluation is not just to identify what is damaged but to understand why it happened and what needs to change to prevent it from happening again. This might involve assessment of strength imbalances, flexibility, movement patterns, or training errors.

Treatment approaches in sports medicine

Most sports medicine treatment begins without surgery. Physical therapy and rehabilitation are the foundation of care for most injuries. A sports medicine physical therapist designs a program that restores strength, flexibility, and movement control specific to the patient's sport or activity. This might include exercises that mimic the demands of the sport, proprioceptive training (balance and coordination work), and sport-specific drills.

Injection therapy is common in sports medicine and includes corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections to promote healing, and hyaluronic acid injections for joint lubrication. These are typically used when physical therapy alone is not producing results or when the patient needs faster recovery to meet a competition timeline.

Surgery is recommended when conservative treatment has not worked, when the injury is severe enough that rehabilitation alone cannot restore function, or when the patient's timeline and goals require it. Sports medicine surgeons often use arthroscopic (minimally invasive) techniques when possible. After surgery, rehabilitation is intensive and structured around return-to-sport milestones rather than just return-to-function milestones.

When to see a sports medicine doctor versus a general orthopedic surgeon

If your injury is directly related to sports or exercise, or if you want to return to a high activity level, a sports medicine doctor is the appropriate specialist. If you have a fracture, arthritis, or a joint problem unrelated to athletic activity, a general orthopedic surgeon is usually the first choice. Some patients see both: a general orthopedic surgeon for diagnosis and initial management, then a sports medicine doctor for rehabilitation and return-to-sport planning.

Insurance coverage and referral requirements vary by plan. Some plans require a referral from your primary care doctor before seeing a specialist. Some plans have preferred providers or networks that may or may not include Andrews Sports Medicine locations. Check your insurance documentation or call your plan to understand what specialists are covered and whether a referral is needed.

Geographic location also matters. Andrews Sports Medicine has clinics in specific states; if you do not live near one, you may need to see a sports medicine doctor at a different practice or hospital system. Many orthopedic practices include sports medicine physicians, so you may not need to travel to a specialized center.

What to expect during your first visit

Your first appointment will include a detailed history of the injury, your sport or activity, your training schedule, and your goals. The doctor will perform a physical examination that may include special tests designed to stress specific structures (ligaments, tendons, cartilage) and reproduce your symptoms. You may have imaging done that day or be sent for imaging before a follow-up visit.

After the evaluation, the doctor will discuss findings and outline a treatment plan. This might be physical therapy alone, an injection, a combination of both, or surgery. The doctor will explain the timeline for recovery and what return-to-sport or return-to-activity looks like. You will likely be referred to a physical therapist or athletic trainer for rehabilitation.

Bring any prior imaging (X-rays, MRI films or reports) and a list of any medications or supplements you take. Wear comfortable clothing that allows the doctor to examine the injured area. If you have insurance, bring your card and any referral paperwork your primary care doctor provided.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a referral to see a sports medicine doctor?

Referral requirements depend on your insurance plan. Some plans require a referral from your primary care doctor; others do not. Contact your insurance company or check your plan documents before scheduling. If you do need a referral, call your primary care doctor's office and explain that you want to see a sports medicine specialist for your injury.

What is the difference between a sports medicine doctor and an athletic trainer?

A sports medicine doctor is a physician (MD or DO) who diagnoses injuries, orders imaging, prescribes medication, performs injections, and performs surgery. An athletic trainer is a licensed healthcare professional who specializes in injury prevention, when ready care on the sideline, and rehabilitation. Many sports medicine practices employ both; they work together on your care.

Will I need surgery if I see a sports medicine doctor?

Not necessarily. Most sports medicine treatment starts with physical therapy and conservative care. Surgery is recommended only when conservative treatment has not worked, when the injury is severe, or when your timeline and goals require it. Your doctor will discuss all options before recommending surgery.

How long does recovery take after a sports medicine injury?

Recovery time varies widely depending on the injury type, severity, and your age and fitness level. A mild ankle sprain might take two to four weeks; an ACL tear might take four to six months or longer. Your sports medicine doctor will give you a realistic timeline based on your specific injury and will adjust it as you progress through rehabilitation.

Can I continue playing my sport while being treated for an injury?

It depends on the injury and the sport. Some injuries allow modified activity or sport-specific training while healing; others require complete rest. Your sports medicine doctor will tell you what activities are safe and which to avoid. They will also tell you when you can return to full participation based on strength testing and functional movement assessment.