NJ Doctor Advises Patients to Look Beyond ‘Sports Medicine’ Specialists

An orthopedic surgeon from the Orthopaedic Institute of Central Jersey in Wall, N.J., has publicly advised patients to be wary of the term “sports medicine.” Anthony Petrosini, M.D., said that the term is confusing and may mislead patients into thinking that type of doctor is the only type s/he should go to if they have an injury caused from sports.

Once a patient has suffered a sports injury, selecting a medical practitioner can be challenging or confusing, Petrosini said. He believes that it is most important to find a clinician who has a passion for treating athletes, and is skilled in both operative and non-operative treatment methods.

While many medical practitioners now use the term “sports medicine” to describe their practice, other clinicians—such as family medical physicians, chiropractors, athletic trainers, and physical therapists—are all involved in treating sports injuries of some sort. Petrosini recommended that patients take an active role in ensuring that they are obtaining proper treatment and seek out a practitioner who is board-certified in their needed area of expertise.

“A physician who has had a fellowship in sports medicine (a specialty year after residency devoted to the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries) is often a good place to start,” said Petrosini.

If a patient’s expectations are not discussed with the physician upfront, patients may be dissatisfied even if they receive proper treatment. Petrosini urges patients at the New Jersey orthopedic surgery practice to ask their physician questions about the recommended treatment, discuss their post-recovery expectations, and clearly communicate their anticipated levels of activity. From Petrosini’s experience, many patients expect to heal from injuries quickly, when the recovery process often takes longer than patients assume.

The term “sports medicine” was used for the first time relatively recently in 1961. It is a useful term to describe orthopedic injuries resulting from the typical strain and stress associated with elevated physical activity, and many medical device companies that focus on orthopedic technology have the device classification “sports medicine” or sometimes group that classification of devices with “trauma” as well.