Sports medicine and orthopedic doctors treat musculoskeletal issues like broken bones, damaged joints, and torn tendons or ligaments. At Angelo Mattalino MD in Scottsdale, AZ, we repair joints and perform other kinds of surgeries, but we also offer minimally invasive treatments like injections. Read on to discover how to choose a good sports medicine doctor in Phoenix, AZ and what to expect during your appointment.
How Should You Choose a Phoenix, AZ Sports Medicine Doctor?
Most sports medicine professionals are highly trained and experienced, but they don’t all offer the same level of service. A great doctor is typically able to perform a wide range of treatments and procedures, provides patients with high-quality information online, and has excellent communication skills. Their outstanding service is reflected in positive patient reviews and testimonials.
Experience and Qualifications
It takes many years of training to become a sports medicine professional. Candidates have to attend medical school, then complete an orthopedic surgery residency and a one or two-year fellowship. They might work for a high school or college sports team after graduating. To open a sports medicine clinic, a doctor first has to pass the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam and the Comprehensive Osteopathic Medical Licensing Exam.
Before you book a consultation, check the doctor’s educational background and experiences to make sure they have the correct qualifications. It’s always better to choose someone with more than 10 years of experience because they’re more likely to understand your needs. Dr. Mattalino has been working in his field for over 20 years, so he’s one of the most experienced professionals in the area.
Patient Reviews and Testimonials
The best way to determine whether you’ll have a good experience is to read former patients’ reviews and testimonials. People who have been treated by a doctor can tell you whether they felt comfortable and what the outcome of their operation or treatment was. They can also provide details about the physician’s ability to communicate and explain medical concepts in simple terms.
Sometimes, reviews are displayed on a clinic’s website. Check whether there are any testimonials, and read through them carefully. If you can’t find a lot of information, reach out to the doctor. They might be able to put you in touch with someone who used to have a similar orthopedic condition and was treated at the clinic.
Services Offered
The best orthopedic doctors offer several treatment options. They understand that most patients don’t want to undergo an operation if there is another possibility, so they use PRP injections, OrthoBiologics, steroids, and other minimally invasive methods. They also work closely with physical therapists and other professionals to provide the most comprehensive service.
Check the websites of your local orthopedic clinics to find out what treatments they offer. There should be a good mix of minimally invasive options and surgeries. Read about some of the treatments to learn what they involve and how they work. That way, you can figure out whether they might be a good fit for you.
Available Information Online
The quality of a doctor’s website can tell you about their communication skills. Are there articles about various conditions and possible treatment methods? Is the information easily digestible for the average person? If so, the doctor is likely genuinely interested in helping patients to recover from their condition and live a healthy, injury-free life.
Spend some time reading through the website before you attend your initial consultation. There might also be informative videos that explain new medical devices and treatments. The more you know about your condition and the potential treatment options, the more easily you can decide how to proceed.
The Initial Consultation
Once you’ve browsed the website and read through the doctor’s credentials, it’s time to book the initial consultation. This is the best way to find out more about the clinic and to determine whether it’s the right place for you. Bring all your medical records and information about past treatments. Let your doctor know what type of treatment you’re looking for and whether you’ve seen someone else about this issue in the past.
The sports medicine professional will spend some time analyzing your records and asking you questions about your condition. Then, they’ll perform imaging studies and provide you with a diagnosis. They might give you several treatment options and provide you with more detailed information that helps you to make a decision.
Communication Skills
Pay close attention to your new sports medicine doctor communication style during your first few interactions with them. Check that you feel comfortable talking to them about your orthopedic issues. Experienced and highly skilled doctors don’t just have great technical skills, but they also understand how to make patients feel at ease.
It’s important to check the communication style of the entire team. Make sure there are several easy ways to contact the clinic and that it is open from Monday to Friday. Check that emails are dealt with promptly. The last thing you want is to frantically try to get in touch with your orthopedic surgeon when you run into an issue or have an urgent question.
Who Needs Sports Medicine?
The name “sports medicine” suggests that this branch of medicine is mainly focused on athletic injuries, but this isn’t true. Anyone who has a problem with their bones, muscles, joints, ligaments, or tendons can visit a sports medicine clinic. Orthopedic doctors treat people of all ages and backgrounds, not just athletes.
In fact, we frequently work with older people at Angelo Mattalino MD. People over the age of 50 are more susceptible to orthopedic conditions because their bones and muscles are weaker and less elastic. Many of our patients suffer from degenerative conditions like arthritis. Sometimes, we treat people who have broken a bone due to osteoporosis.
When to See Your Doctor
Not every sports injury or orthopedic condition requires a doctor’s visit. Some issues heal on their own within a few days. If you’ve been suffering from pain, swelling, or redness for more than two weeks, reach out and book an appointment. Seek immediate medical attention if you’ve developed a fever, you’re experiencing prolonged bleeding, or you have severe pain.
People who have long-term orthopedic conditions and athletes who need to stay in top shape during their sports season might need to see their doctor for regular checkups. Minimally invasive treatments like PRP injections and cortisone shots can speed up the healing process. However, they can’t fix chronic medical issues like arthritis. Sufferers need injections once every few months to prevent their symptoms from coming back.
Do Sports Medicine Professionals Mainly Do Surgeries?
Some sports medicine professionals might specialize in surgical interventions, but most are capable of administering minimally invasive treatments and performing surgery. At Angelo Mattalino MD, we always use holistic methods to treat mild and moderate orthopedic issues. We offer various types of injections that help regenerate the tissues and reduce the patient’s pain levels.
We also work with experienced physiotherapists who help our patients to improve their posture and movement patterns and therefore prevent future issues. If an orthopedic condition is severe or chronic, we might consider surgery. Whenever possible, we use arthroscopy, a method that involves making a small incision and inserting an endoscope. We perform arthroscopic knee surgery, rotator cuff repair, and more.
How Can I Prevent Sports Injuries?
We often see patients who got injured because they increased the frequency or intensity of their workout too quickly. The best way to prevent orthopedic problems is to do regular exercise and go slowly when trying out new workouts. Give your body time to adjust. Wear good, sports-specific shoes so you don’t injure your ankles or knees, and avoid doing high-impact exercise on tarmac and concrete.
Provide your body with vitamins, minerals, and plenty of water to keep all your tissues in good shape. If you’re not sure whether you have any nutrient deficiencies, have a blood test done and contact a dietitian. They can help you to optimize your nutrition. Don’t exercise if you’re very tired since the risk of injuries is much higher when you’re not well-rested.
Get Your Musculoskeletal Condition Addressed Now
A good Phoenix, AZ sports medicine doctor has great qualifications and a lot of experience, and is excellent at communicating with patients. They provide people with important information online, offer a wide range of services, and have positive patient reviews and testimonials. Get in touch with us at Angelo Mattalino MD in Scottsdale, AZ to book your initial consultation with Dr. Mattalino.
