Dr Yajuvendra Gawai is an Orthopaedic and Arthroscopy Surgeon and Sports Medicine specialist practising in Mumbai. He trained in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy in USA at NYU and SUNY in New York for over three years. He was involved in the care of professional American football and hockey teams like The New York Rangers and Sabres of NHL and the Buffalo Bills in NFL and also The Alvin Ailey Contemporary Dance Theatre in NYC. He is currently attached to hospitals across Mumbai and is associated with many marathons in the city. He gives his views on the concept of sports medicine.
What is sports medicine?
When someone talks about sports medicine, the image of a physio with his kit rushing to the aid of an injured athlete on the field of play flashes before the eyes of most people. This however, is only the partial truth; sports medicine much like sports itself is a multi speciality team effort. It involves not only treatment but also prevention of sports related injuries and medical problems.
Is one sports medicine specialist qualified for treating all sports-related medical problems?
No, like mentioned earlier, sports medicine is a team effort. A good sports medicine centre should ideally include a sports physician, an orthopaedic and arthroscopy surgeon, a team of physiotherapists, sports nutritionists, sports psychologists, all trained and experienced in treating sports injuries and medical problems of athletes. Also, proper training goes a long way in the prevention of sports injuries and recovery and hence, athletic trainers and the coaches, too, play a pivotal role in sports medicine. Also, a well equipped rehab centre and diagnostic facilities as well as a surgical centre with modern facilities are desirable to provide comprehensive sports medicine services under one roof. We have developed a similar team and infrastructure at the Nanavati Super Speciality Hospital in Mumbai.
How are sports injuries treated?
Management of any ailment starts with proper assessment and diagnosis followed by treatment. It maybe in the form of rest and immobilisation and cross training to rehabilitation and physiotherapy or interventions like injections and sometimes surgery. Most importantly, good coordination between the team of sports medicine specialists is essential and a hallmark of an effective and efficient sports medicine centre.
What is arthroscopic surgery?
Arthroscopy or key hole surgery is a technique used to do surgery in a minimally invasive fashion with the use of an endoscope. It shortens the recovery period from surgery. Though it started as a modality to treat ligament and joint injuries in athletes, its use has been broadened to manage a variety of other joint ailments in the elderly population as well.
Who needs the services of a sports medicine specialist?
Everyone from a professional athlete to a weekend warrior to a recreational sportsman with serious or niggling injuries. Even if you are not injured but planning to take up some sport seriously (like even running or gymming etc.), a thorough musculoskeletal as well as cardiac evaluation is strongly recommended, especially after the age of 30. It will go a long way in preventing sports related medical problems and injuries.
Call: 81085 55055/ 9322874474.
www.shoulderkneesurgeon.com (*Procedures given are based on the expert’s understanding of the said field)
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