The Role of an Orthopedic Surgeon in Sports Medicine

In Australia, sports medicine is a multi-billion dollar industry with continuous growth. The Australian Sports Science Institute first reported, in 1995, that Australians participated in sport on a weekly basis and spent a total of $2.86 billion annually on sport participation and personal fitness activities. In the 2013-14 year, the estimated Australian Government investment in sport was more than $120 million per annum.

Orthopedic surgery is a branch of medical science that provides rehabilitative and surgical remedies for orthopedic problems. It covers all forms of musculoskeletal system problems that are not covered by the domain of any other surgical specialty.

A sports orthopedist deals with the injuries specific to sports, such as sprains, cartilage tears, ligament ruptures, and fractures and their symptoms. The specialty has evolved over a period of time and now takes special care of athletes in Australia.

Orthopedic surgeons are highly trained medical professionals who, among other things, specialize in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries sustained by people engaging in sporting competitions. David Slattery - Orthopaedic Surgeon in Melbourne is a leading orthopedic service provider in the nation. He helps to treat and rehabilitate injuries through their centers located in Melbourne.

They understand athletes' desires

Orthopedic surgeons in Australia play a vital role in treating injured athletes and helping them return them back to their sport. An orthopedic surgeon understands athletes' desires to return to their sport as quickly as possible after an injury.

They are often the doctor who will communicate with a particular athlete's coaches when determining what type of rehabilitation and exercise plan is required for an athlete. Although they might not be directly involved in the rehabilitation process, orthopedic surgeons will be providing instructions for a range of exercises that will help patients recover from a knee or ligament injury, for example.

When it comes to treatment, they will work closely with physiotherapists and other medical personnel specializing in sports injuries to ensure a proper recovery.

Developed programs for athletes

Orthopedic surgeons in Australia specialize in diagnosing, treating, and preventing various bone and joint health problems. In sports medicine, they offer services that keep injured athletes safe while they participate in a sport.

Orthopedic surgeons often are involved in return-to-play planning with a team or individual coaches, team physicians, and athletic trainers. Although orthopedic surgeons typically are not on-site during professional sporting events, they often work closely with team doctors consulted when an injury occurs.

Many of these injuries and resulting surgeries have evolved through the advancement of high-tech equipment and arthroscopic techniques that now allow surgeons to treat meniscus tears, ligamentous injuries, dislocations, and various other knee problems with minimal or no bone cuts.

With this advancement in joint preservation surgery, an ever-growing number of professional and elite athletes, as well as weekend warriors, are returning to their sports faster, stronger, and more competitive than ever before.

There are four areas sports orthopedic surgeons focus on: one is the acute care of injured athletes; another is operating on them to allow equal and fair competition between athletes; a third area focuses on injury prevention through conditioning, training programs, and equipment development; and the fourth area of specialty has to do with physical rehabilitation so that an athlete can return to their sport at least as well as they did before their injury occurred.