Could a top neurologist in NYC help with a sports-related injury? Absolutely, and the sooner you schedule your appointment with teams like Neurodiagnostics Medical, P.C., the sooner you can get back out there!
There’s an eye-opening report from the National Safety Council that records more than 3.5 million people who visited emergency departments in 2022 with sports and recreational equipment-related injuries. That staggering number doesn’t include people who treated their injuries at home or sought help from a specialist, such as a sports medicine neurologist.
Why seek help from a sports medicine physician in NYC with experience and training in neurology? Read on to learn why specialists like this make treating sports-related neurological conditions so effective.
What Are the Most Common Sports Injuries?
Countless sports players take precautions to minimize their risk of a sports injury. Yet, injuries still happen. The most common sports injuries involve the head, your extremities, the spine, bones, or various soft tissues, including the following:
- Fracture: A broken bone.
- Strain or sprain: Muscles and ligaments that tear or face overstretching.
- Repetition injury: Overuse injuries after using a specific body part in the same way repetitively, often in the hands, knees, and ankles.
- Dislocation: A bone dislocation as a joint or bone end slips out of position.
A widely known reason to visit a neurologist would be a concussion, another common sports injury that can cause serious complications. Contact sports players, such as football and soccer players, are the most vulnerable to concussion, a traumatic brain injury. A hit to the head might result in symptoms like memory loss, headache, dizziness, and nausea.
How a Specialist Sports Injury Doctor Will Diagnose Your Sports Injuries
Anytime you sustain a sports injury, even a minor one, you should see a sports injury doctor. These medical professionals undergo extensive training to accurately diagnose and treat sports-related injuries and aid you in a faster recovery.
When you first visit a sports injury doctor, the consultation covers your health, medical history, and past and current injuries. It’s also standard for this healthcare provider to conduct a physical exam to better understand your condition and its severity. During this exam, the doctor may test your strength, range of motion, and tenderness around the affected area.
To help them accurately diagnose your condition, a sports injury doctor may also order CT scans, X-rays, or MRIs. That’s the best way to examine bones and soft tissues closely.
What Is a Neurologist in Sports Medicine?
A sports medicine neurologist is a physician with medical specialties relating to sports injuries and neurology. If you have a serious concussion, seeing a sports injury neurologist offers you the best chance at a proper diagnosis and ideal treatment plan.
These sports medicine medical professionals work with athletes of all skill ranges to help with the following and more:
- Post-traumatic migraines.
- Heatstroke.
- Traumatic brain injuries.
- Peripheral nerve injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries.
Are you an athlete or an aspiring athlete with a neurological condition? Working with a qualified sports medicine neurologist could prove immensely helpful to your progress and recovery. For instance, some physical activities worsen conditions like stroke and neurodegenerative disorders, so these physicians can assess your personal risks to let you know which physical activities you may do or should avoid.
Why Would You Need To See a Sports Medicine Neurologist?
Not everybody with a sports injury would visit a neurologist. Usually, a sports medicine neurologist comes as a referral from your primary care physician, sports doctor, or even an orthopedic surgeon.
Of course, there’s no reason you can’t seek treatment from a neurologist directly, especially if you have a concussion. A 2023 Sports Injuries Statistic Report from Strategic Market Research shows a 7% increase in concussion diagnoses in 2022 from the previous year. Nearly 35% of those cases were severe, so concussion is certainly not as rare as athletes would like it to be.
Signs You Need Help From a Sports Medicine Neurologist
When should people see a sports medicine neurologist for an injured area? If symptoms include the following:
- Confusion.
- A vacant stare.
- Disorientation.
- Memory problems.
A neurologist also helps with issues that cause nausea, vomiting, persistent headaches, poor attention, balance problems, and dizziness.
Make an Appointment With a Top Neurologist | NYC
Before going back to playing sports following a severe sports-related injury, it’s crucial to seek medical treatment from an experienced sports injury doctor. Why not see a sports medicine neurologist in NYC like Neurodiagnostics Medical, P.C.? Personalized treatment and compassionate care aid your recovery and could prevent future complications.
Our doctors accept most insurance plans, including workers’ compensation, no-fault, and PIP (personal injury protection). Same-day appointments may be available. Call Neurodiagnostics Medical, P.C. at (347) 602-9530 today to schedule your appointment!
Playing sports or work tasks can cause issues like painful elbow injuries, but the sheer variety of treatment options might surprise you. Call to learn more!
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injury Neurology
Sports injury treatment often requires medical specialists that can link sports injuries and neurology. Common questions about those options appear below.
What Type of Conditions Does a Neurologist Treat?
A neurologist treats injuries and conditions involving the central and peripheral nervous systems, including:
- Head injuries.
- Seizures.
- Headaches.
- Cerebral aneurysms.
- Strokes.
Which Sports Have the Highest Risk of Injuries?
Contact sports like basketball, football, soccer, or rugby tend to have the highest sports injury risks. For example, one Johns Hopkins Medicine report puts over 170,000 children between 5 and 14 receiving treatment at an emergency room for basketball-related injuries.
What Should You Expect When Visiting a Sports Medicine Neurologist for the First Time?
When visiting a sports medicine neurologist for the first time, you should expect to discuss your medical, family, and medication histories plus current symptoms. You’ll also undergo a neurologic exam, testing reflexes, balance, gait, and coordination.
Can Playing Sports Trigger a Neurological Condition?
Yes, physical trauma when playing sports can trigger certain neurological conditions, as can excessive stress or cellular disruptions of the brain’s function. Still, patients should note that it is not always possible to identify causal triggers.
