Sports Medicine Specialist

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is the medical specialty area that focuses on the physical needs of athletes.

The demands of sports training and competition create repetitive stress on your muscles, connective tissues, bones, and joints, which not only contributes to degenerative wear-and-tear but can also increase your risk of injury.

Additionally, some sports have a higher risk of acute injuries like sprains, fractures, and concussions.

As a fellowship-trained and board-certified sports medicine specialist, Dr. Makani provides expert exams to assess your injuries and physical needs and creates customized treatment plans to help you recover quickly and safely so you can return to your beloved sport.

He can also provide training recommendations to help you address any physical imbalances or weaknesses and enhance your performance.

When should I see a sports medicine specialist?

A sports injury is the most common reason you might need to see a sports medicine specialist. Dr. Makani diagnoses and treats a wide range of sports injuries, including:

• Sprains and strains
• ACL tears
• Meniscus tears 
• Tendinitis
• Tendon tears
• Bursitis
• Fractures
• Rotator cuff injuries
• Tennis/golfer’s elbow

You might develop gradual symptoms, including pain or stiffness, or you could suffer a sudden and acute injury. In either case, you need treatment from a sports medicine expert.

How are sports injuries treated?

Dr. Makani provides tailored treatment plans to help you recover. Depending on your needs, he might recommend noninvasive therapies like ice, heat, and immobilization.

He might also suggest cortisone injections, joint injections, or regenerative medicine therapies like stem cell or platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections.

When necessary, Dr. Makani also offers minimally invasive and conventional orthopaedic surgeries to repair fractured bones or torn connective tissue. In severe cases, he can also perform total joint replacements.

In addition to treating injuries, Dr. Makani can recommend physical therapy and training protocols to help you reduce your risk of injury in the future or improve your overall performance.

What are the benefits of working with a sports medicine specialist?

When you work with Dr. Makani at Ascend Orthopaedics And Sports Medicine, you receive industry-leading care. Dr. Makani has served as a team physician for the New England Patriots, Boston Red Sox, and New England Revolution, as well as several college teams including Curry College and Florida Southern College.

With years of experience, Dr. Makani understands your needs as an athlete and uses his extensive knowledge to help you thrive. No one wants to be on the bench because of an injury. He can help you get back on the field or court with a reduced risk of future injury.

Call Ascend Orthopaedics And Sports Medicine or make an appointment online today for personalized sports medicine services.