When to See a Sports Medicine Specialist

When to See a Sports Medicine Specialist

Northwestern Medicine Sports Medicine is for athletes and active people of all levels and ages. You may consult a sports medicine expert if you have an injury or if you are looking to improve fitness and reach athletic goals.

Below are common areas of care covered by our world-class Northwestern Medicine Sports Medicine team.

Acute Sports Injuries

Acute sports injuries happen suddenly when you are doing a physical activity, such as exercising or playing a sport. They may include a muscle or tendon sprain or strain, or a bone fracture. Symptoms may include:

  • Quick onset of pain
  • Swelling or inflammation
  • Weakness or the complete loss of ability to move the affected area

Chronic Sports Injuries

Chronic sports injuries develop over time, typically due to repeated movement, incorrect alignment or form, and/or overuse. Tendinitis and stress fractures are examples of chronic sports injuries. Symptoms may include:

  • Pain or discomfort when doing a specific movement during an activity
  • Swelling or inflammation
  • Aching after you finish an activity

Sports Rehabilitation

If you are an athlete or active person who has been sidelined by an injury, you likely want nothing more than to be able to resume your sport or activity. Our rehabilitation expert can help you return to your active lifestyle as quickly as possible, while minimizing risk of re-injury. Your sports injury rehabilitation may include:

  • Physical therapy to help you reach your functional goals and prevent future injury
  • Pain interventions
  • Supportive medical devices like splints and crutches to help stabilize your injured area on the road to recovery
  • Other treatments to reduce pain and promote healing, including massage therapy, electric stimulation, heat and cold therapy, and sound wave simulation
  • ACL Bridge Program

If you are already working with a physical therapist, our sports physicians will work with him or her to enhance your existing treatment plan.

Preventing Athletic Injury and Improving Performance

If you are living an active lifestyle, we can teach you injury prevention methods to help you continue doing the activities you enjoy. We also want to see you meet and exceed your athletic goals. We can help you maximize your performance through:

  • Dartfish Motion Analysis
  • Movement consultations with athletic trainers, exercise physiologists or physical therapists to ensure that the way you’re moving is safe for you and to assess areas for improvement
  • Performance enhancement
  • Conditioning and training
  • Education regarding safety, equipment, nutrition and general wellness

Athletic Training and Sports Performance Clinic

The Athletic Training and Sports Performance Clinic, located in the Western Suburbs, is committed to providing comprehensive care throughout the communities we serve.

Complete with state-of-the-art technology and offering advanced therapies, our 2,400-square-foot facility features space for classes and individual training utilizing weights, cardio equipment, suspension straps, total-body resistance equipment, agility ladders and much more.

Northwestern Medicine athletic trainers and certified group/personal fitness instructors are dedicated to providing comprehensive care to help you maximize your performance.