Utah Valley University Sports Medicine

Sports Internal Medicine

An internist trained to be responsible for continuous care in the field of sports medicine, not only for the enhancement of health and fitness, but also for the prevention of injury and illness. A sports medicine physician must have knowledge and experience in the promotion of wellness and the prevention of injury. Knowledge about special areas of medicine such as exercise physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, psychology, physical rehabilitation, epidemiology, physical evaluation, injuries (treatment and prevention and referral practice) and the role of exercise in promoting a healthy lifestyle are essential to the practice of sports medicine. The sports medicine physician requires special education to provide the knowledge to improve the healthcare of the individual.

Athletic Training

Athletic trainers are allied health care professionals who work in consultation with or under the direction of physicians, and specialize in the prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and illnesses. Currently, the entry-level employment requirements are a bachelor's degree with a major in athletic training from an accredited university or college. A majority of athletic trainers hold advanced degrees. National board certification is generally required as a condition of state licensure and employment. Most states regulate athletic trainers, and they practice within the scope of that license or regulation. Clinical practice includes emergency care, rehabilitation, reconditioning, therapeutic exercise, wellness programs, exercise physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, nutrition, psychology and health care administration.

Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery

Utah Valley University Sports Medicine is a Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery practice in Orem, UT with healthcare providers who have special training and skill in preventing, diagnosing, and treating athletic-related injuries. Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeons at Utah Valley University Sports Medicine perform surgery, medication, and physical rehabilitation to patients suffering sport-related injuries. Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery is a medical specialty dealing with injuries and disorders related to athletic activities. Significant diseases and conditions treated at Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery practices include torn ACL, chronic joint and back pain, knee injury, neck injury, muscle sprain, spinal disc pain, disc herniation, hamstring injury, and nerve dysfunction. Medical tests, procedures and therapies provided by Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgery practices include diagnostic imaging like x-ray, MRI, and CT scan, pain and mobility assessment, surgical repair of injured muscles, ligaments, nerves, and joints, physical therapy, inflammation reduction techniques, medical massage, acupuncture, diet and nutrition recommendation, nerve pain block injections, and referral to other specialists as needed.

An orthopaedic surgeon trained in sports medicine provides appropriate care for all structures of the musculoskeletal system directly affected by participation in sporting activity. This specialist is proficient in areas including conditioning, training and fitness, athletic performance and the impact of dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and nutrition on performance and health, coordination of care within the team setting utilizing other health care professionals, field evaluation and management, soft tissue biomechanics and injury healing and repair. Knowledge and understanding of the principles and techniques of rehabilitation, athletic equipment and orthotic devices enables the specialist to prevent and manage athletic injuries.