San Antonio's Sports Medicine Specialists

A sports medicine doctor specializes in treating injuries related to sports, exercise, and physical activity, while a general orthopedic specialist treats a broader range of bone, joint, muscle, ligament, and tendon conditions. At TSAOG, our Sports Institute brings together orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine primary care providers to offer comprehensive care, from diagnosis and non-surgical treatment to rehabilitation and surgical consultation when needed.

You may be able to schedule a sports medicine appointment directly, but referral requirements depend on your insurance plan. Some insurance carriers require a referral or prior authorization before specialist visits, imaging, therapy, or certain procedures. The safest option is to check with your insurance provider or call TSAOG before scheduling.

Bring your photo ID, insurance card, a list of current medications, and any prior imaging or medical records related to your injury. It is also helpful to bring notes about when the pain started, what activities make it better or worse, and any treatments you have already tried. If your injury happened during a sport or workout, bring any braces, supports, or equipment that may help your provider understand how the injury occurred.

Yes, TSAOG’s sports medicine team treats athletes and non-athletes with activity-related injuries. You do not need to be a competitive or professional athlete to see a sports medicine doctor. Sports medicine can also help with sprains, strains, joint pain, tendon injuries, overuse injuries, and pain from exercise, work, hobbies, or everyday movement.

Non-surgical sports medicine treatment may include physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, medications, steroid injections, viscosupplementation injections, and other conservative care options. Your provider will recommend treatment based on your diagnosis, pain level, activity goals, and how your injury responds to initial care. Surgery is usually considered when non-surgical treatments are not enough or when the injury requires surgical repair.