Specialty9 min read
Sports medicine
Sports medicine focuses on preventing and treating illness and injury related to sport and physical activity, mostly without surgery. It serves athletes and active non-athletes alike.
According to the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM) the sports medicine physician has "significant specialised training in the treatment and prevention of illnesses and injuries", specialises in the non-surgical treatment of musculoskeletal conditions, and provides comprehensive care for athletes, sports teams and active people seeking a healthy lifestyle. The American Boards of Emergency Medicine (ABEM) and of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (ABPMR) define sports medicine as a clinical subspecialty "concerned with physical fitness and the diagnosis and treatment of injuries resulting from sports activities". MedlinePlus lists common sports injuries as sprains, strains, knee injuries, fractures and dislocations.
According to the AMSSM the physician reaches this specialty after board certification in emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, paediatrics or physical medicine and rehabilitation, then one to two years of sports medicine fellowship, then a national exam, with recertification by examination every 10 years. The ABPMR requires completion of 12 months of an accredited sports medicine fellowship, and the ABFM offers the certificate of added qualification in sports medicine jointly with the boards of emergency medicine, paediatrics and physical medicine and rehabilitation (US details that may differ in your country). The AMSSM states that the sports medicine physician and the orthopaedic surgeon are both well versed in musculoskeletal medicine, but the former specialises in non-surgical treatment, and that "about 90% of all sports injuries are non-surgical". According to MedlinePlus treatment often begins with the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation), and other treatments include pain relievers, immobilising the injured area, rehabilitation and sometimes surgery.
In one minute123
- What is it?
- A subspecialty concerned with physical fitness and the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of sports injuries, with a focus on non-surgical treatment.
- Who is usually affected?
- Athletes at all levels and sports teams, active people, and non-athletes who want to increase their fitness.
- Acute or chronic?
- Diagnosis of the injury or condition, then mostly non-surgical treatment, rehabilitation and a return-to-play decision, with referral to surgery when needed.
- Main symptoms
- According to MedlinePlus, common sports injuries include: sprains, strains, knee injuries, Achilles tendon injuries, rotator cuff injuries, fractures and dislocations.
- Red flags?
- Head or spine injury is an emergency sign according to MedlinePlus; and after a head injury, symptoms such as increasing sleepiness, vomiting more than 3 times or seizures call for immediate contact with a care provider.
- Preventable?
- According to MedlinePlus, injuries may be caused by accidents, poor training methods, unsuitable equipment, poor fitness, or not warming up and stretching enough; the AMSSM mentions injury prevention among the work of this specialty.
What is it?
According to the AMSSM: the sports medicine physician has "significant specialised training in the treatment and prevention of illnesses and injuries" and is qualified to provide comprehensive medical care to athletes, sports teams and active people who seek to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The ABEM and ABPMR define sports medicine as a clinical subspecialty "concerned with physical fitness and the diagnosis and treatment of injuries resulting from sports activities". The AMSSM describes itself as a non-profit membership-based organisation of sports medicine physicians, working to advance the specialty through education, research, advocacy and quality of patient care.
According to the AMSSM this physician comes after board certification in one of the specialties: emergency medicine, family medicine, internal medicine, paediatrics or physical medicine and rehabilitation, then completes one to two years of sports medicine fellowship and passes a national exam, and is recertified by examination every 10 years. The ABPMR requires completion of 12 months of an accredited fellowship, and the ABFM offers the certificate jointly with the boards of emergency medicine, paediatrics and physical medicine and rehabilitation. These are details of the US training system and may differ in your country. The ACSM describes itself as "the largest sports medicine and exercise science organisation in the world".
Conditions it covers
According to the AMSSM musculoskeletal conditions include: acute injuries (such as ankle sprains, muscle strains, knee and shoulder injuries and fractures), overuse injuries (such as rotator cuff tendinitis and other tendinitis, and stress fractures), and drug and injection treatments for osteoarthritis. MedlinePlus lists common sports injuries: sprains and strains, knee injuries, muscle swelling, Achilles tendon injuries, pain along the shin bone, rotator cuff injuries, fractures and dislocations.
The AMSSM also mentions non-musculoskeletal areas including: concussion (a mild traumatic brain injury) and other head injuries; athletes with chronic or acute illnesses (such as infectious mononucleosis, asthma or diabetes); nutrition, supplements and performance issues; exercise prescription for those who want to increase their fitness; injury prevention; return-to-play decisions for the sick or injured athlete; safe strength and conditioning recommendations; and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Related pages on this site: the muscular system, the joints, the skeletal system, orthopaedics, physical medicine and rehabilitation, family medicine, physical activity and clinical nutrition. The injuries mentioned in the references concern muscles, tendons, joints and bones, and the specialties mentioned are those that the AMSSM and ABFM cite as a pathway to sports medicine or as a partner in care, and the AMSSM mentions nutrition and exercise prescription within its work.
Common tests and procedures
According to MedlinePlus the treatment of sports injuries often begins with the RICE method (rest, ice, compression and elevation) to relieve pain and swelling and speed healing, and other possible treatments include: pain relievers, immobilising the injured area, rehabilitation, and sometimes surgery. The AMSSM mentions drug and injection treatments for osteoarthritis and exercise prescription. The treatment plan is chosen with the doctor according to the injury and condition.
According to the AMSSM the sports medicine physician can "maximise non-surgical treatment, direct appropriate referrals to physical and occupational therapy, and speed referral to an orthopaedic surgeon or sports surgeon when necessary". This page does not cover lists of imaging tests or laboratory tests used in this specialty.
When to see one
According to the AMSSM this specialty suits athletes at all levels (and its physicians work as team doctors from youth level to professional leagues and Olympic teams) and active people, and those who need a return-to-play decision after illness or injury. MedlinePlus advises stopping play when injured, because continuing to play or exercise may cause further harm.
Referral to the specialist is usually decided by the primary care provider according to the condition (MedlinePlus). Head or spine injuries and sudden severe pain do not wait for a referral, and the local emergency number is called (MedlinePlus).
When do you need urgent help?
Call emergency services now 998
- Injury to the head or spine, or sudden severe pain, or loss of consciousness during sport: call the local emergency number immediately. According to MedlinePlus do not move the injured person if there may be a neck injury.9
- After a head injury, according to MedlinePlus: contact a care provider immediately for increasing sleepiness or difficulty waking, a stiff neck, change in behaviour, slurred or unintelligible speech, confusion, double or blurred vision, fever, fluid or blood coming from the nose or ears, a headache that worsens and does not improve with over-the-counter pain relievers, difficulty walking or speaking, seizures, or vomiting more than 3 times. In a serious case call emergency services.109
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.
Common questions
What is the difference between a sports medicine physician and an orthopaedic surgeon?
According to the AMSSM both are well versed in musculoskeletal medicine; the sports medicine physician specialises in non-surgical treatment, and the orthopaedic surgeon is also trained in surgical treatment. The AMSSM states that about 90% of sports injuries are non-surgical, and that the sports medicine physician speeds up referral to the surgeon when necessary.1
Is sports medicine only for professional athletes?
No. According to the AMSSM it provides care for athletes, teams and active people seeking a healthy lifestyle, and its work includes prescribing exercise for those who want to increase their fitness.1
Questions for your doctor
- Does my injury need imaging or referral to a surgeon?
- What non-surgical treatment and rehabilitation plan suits me?
- When and how do I return to sport safely?
- How do I reduce the risk of re-injury (warm-up, training, equipment)?
- Does my chronic condition (such as asthma or diabetes) affect my sporting activity, and how do I prepare?
References
- 1AMSSM (SportsMedToday). What is a sports medicine physician?. www.sportsmedtoday.com/what-is-a-sports-medicine-physician.htmEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 2AMSSM. American Medical Society for Sports Medicine — home. www.amssm.org/Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 3ABEM. Sports medicine — subspecialty certification. www.abem.org/public/become-certified/subspecialties/sports-medicineEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 4ABPMR. Sports medicine — subspecialty certification. www.abpmr.org/Subspecialties/SportsEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 5ABFM. Sports medicine — certificate of added qualification. www.theabfm.org/become-certified/certificates-added-qualification/sports-medicineEducational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 6ACSM. American College of Sports Medicine — home. www.acsm.org/Educational & historical references · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 7MedlinePlus. Sports injuries (Health Topic). medlineplus.gov/sportsinjuries.htmlHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-07
- 8MedlinePlus. Types of health care providers. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001933.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 9MedlinePlus. Recognizing medical emergencies. medlineplus.gov/ency/article/001927.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-06
- 10MedlinePlus. Traumatic brain injury (Medical Encyclopedia). medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000799.htmHealth agencies & guidelines · Accessed 2026-10-07
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Educational content only — no diagnosis, and no substitute for a clinician.