What is a Sports Medicine Specialist?
Both Dr. Rifat and Dr. Moeller are Sports Medicine Specialists who have extensive training in musculoskeletal medicine. Sports Medicine Specialists are different than orthopedic surgeons. While orthopedic surgeons primarily focus on the operative treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, Sports Medicine Specialists are experts in the non-operative treatment of sports injuries. Since approximately 90 percent of all sports injuries are non-surgical in nature, the Sports Medicine Specialist can care for the great majority of all sports related injury. If surgery is required, the Sports Medicine Specialist can expedite referral to an orthopedic surgeon. They can also help guide referrals to appropriate rehabilitative care and ancillary services when necessary.
Sports Medicine Specialists also have expertise in non-musculoskeletal sports issues, such as concussion, exercise asthma, and nutritional conditions affecting the athlete. They are experts in making return to play decisions in the sick or injured athlete. These often over-looked medical problems now have a specialist in their corner.
Sports Medicine does NOT just mean the competitive athlete. Sports Medicine Specialists are ideal providers for the non-athlete and are excellent resources for the individual who wishes to become active or begin an exercise program. For the “weekend warrior” who experiences an injury, the same expertise used for the professional athlete can be applied to return the individual to sport as quickly as possible.