Even though sports medicine orthopedics and orthopedic surgeons are trained in musculoskeletal medicine, about 90% of sports injuries can be treated without surgery using a range of non-invasive methods.
Sports medicine doctors can look at injuries and offer treatments other than surgery, such as prevention, rehabilitation, education, and diet. When it's necessary, sports medicine doctors can help a patient start physical or occupational therapy or send them to an orthopedic surgeon if they need surgery.