Sports Medicine
Medical doctors who specialize in treating athletes and active individuals with an injury or condition that was caused by participating in a physical activity or sport are known as sports medicine doctors. These specialists can often treat an injury or condition due to a sport or physical activity without surgery. However, when surgery is needed, these doctors also have the skills required to perform the procedure.
At Orthopaedic Associates, our sports medicine doctors, Dr. Jason Thackeray, Dr. Mark Tenholder, Dr. James Watt, Dr. T. Jacob Seales, Dr. David Dean, Dr. Jake Hawkins, Dr. J. Ryan Cotton, Dr. Chad Mitchell, Dr. Jack McKay, and Dr. Michael Noble are recognized experts in the diagnosis and treatment of sports injuries and conditions, including ACL injuries. Our sports medicine specialists have extensive training in the surgical and nonsurgical care of injuries and conditions caused by sports accidents and are dedicated to providing you with the specialized, compassionate care you need to become stronger.
Expert Sports Medicine Care for a Stronger You
During an exam, our sports medicine experts will ask the athlete or active individual details about their injury or condition. They may also request an X-ray or additional tests to better understand the sports injury or condition. Once they determine the diagnosis, our sports medicine specialists will create an individualized treatment plan specific to the patient's needs.
When our doctors and surgeons develop a treatment plan for an athlete or active individual with a sports-related problem, their first step is always to consider nonoperative treatments first. Sometimes, there are nonsurgical options available, such as physical therapy or an additional alternative medicine, that either alone or combined with rest and taking a break from the sport can provide relief for a patient's injury or condition. However, sometimes the patient's medical issue will not respond to nonsurgical options or becomes so problematic that surgery is recommended as the best choice.
If surgery is the best option for you, our board-certified and specialty-trained sports medicine experts will work with you to create a surgical treatment plan that is right for your sports injury or condition. Our sports medicine team is equipped with state-of-the-art technology as well as the knowledge and surgical skills needed to treat your medical problem and get you on the road to becoming stronger.
Having undergone extensive training, our surgeons are highly skilled in sports medicine and are considered experts in the following surgeries and procedures:
- Arthroscopic surgery, including ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist arthroscopy
- Joint replacement, including knee replacement
- Minimally invasive surgery
- Rotator cuff repair
- Surgical adult and pediatric fracture care
- Tendon transfer, repair, and reconstruction surgery
Signs You May Have a Sports Injury
Common signs and symptoms you may be experiencing if you have a sports-related injury or condition include:
- Ankle pain when trying to walk
- Decreased range of motion in a joint
- Joints feel like they are grinding, cracking, or locking up
- Lower-back pain
- Popping sound followed by knee pain
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Unable to straighten your knee
If you are experiencing any of the above for more than a few days or if any of them are getting worse, make an appointment to see a sports medicine specialist. The sports medicine surgeon or doctor may diagnose you with one of the following injuries or conditions:
- ACL injury
- Bursitis
- Concussion
- Fracture
- Frozen shoulder
- Groin injury
- Ligament injury
- Meniscus tear
- Rotator cuff tear
- Sprain
- Tennis elbow
Orthopaedic Associates: The Strength of Experience
At Orthopaedic Associates, we are regional experts committed to providing patient-centered care. When you are seen by one of our experienced medical providers—from our upper extremity specialists and sports medicine experts to our physical therapists and physician assistants—you can rest assured that you are receiving treatment from an experienced medical provider who is highly skilled in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of the musculoskeletal system. We also provide more information relating to fitness, training tips, and nutrition for athletes of all skill levels through our Athlete and Parent's Online Guide to Sports Medicine.
As a team, our goal is to help you, educate you, care for you, and treat you with the same high level of care and respect we would want for a member of our own family. Throughout your entire orthopaedic experience, we will be by your side for every step—from your first appointment to your last.
If you are ready to start your journey to a stronger you with less or no pain, take the first step by requesting an appointment online or calling one of our five locations: Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville, Crestview, or Panama City.
