Sports Medicine Specialist
Orthopedics Unlimited
Michael Rieber, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Physician located in West Orange, NJ & Newark, NJ
If you’re an athlete or physically active individual and suffer an injury during play, sports medicine can ease pain, prevent further damage, and promote healing. At Orthopedics Unlimited in Livingston, New Jersey, orthopaedic surgeon Michael Rieber, MD, is fellowship-trained in sports medicine. He treats both professional and amateur athletes, including the Newark High School football team, the Newark Bears, Redbulls, and the NJ Devils. To schedule an appointment, book online or call the office today.
Sports Medicine Q&A
What is sports medicine?
Sports medicine is a branch of orthopedics that works to diagnose, treat, and prevent sports-related injuries. These injuries can occur due to overuse, general wear-and-tear, or hyperextension of ligaments and cartilage in the joints. They also occur due to traumatic impacts or collisions.
At Orthopedics Unlimited, Dr. Rieber uses advanced sports medicine treatments to relieve pain, improve mobility, and encourage a return to form.
What are some issues that sports medicine treats?
At Orthopedics Unlimited, Dr. Rieber uses sports medicine to treat various injuries, including:
- Sprains
- Strains
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Knee injuries
Sports medicine can also treat swollen muscles and torn or ruptured ligaments, including the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
What happens during a sports medicine appointment?
A sports medicine appointment at Orthopedics Unlimited begins with a review of your medical history and a discussion of your symptoms and lifestyle. Dr. Rieber asks about your training practices, the events leading up to your injury, and the severity of your symptoms.
He also conducts a thorough physical exam. Dr. Rieber has you walk around the exam room, asks you to rate your pain on a scale of 1-10, and has you perform a series of strength and range-of-motion exercises.
If these measures aren’t enough to make an accurate diagnosis, he orders diagnostic imaging such as an X-ray or CT scan to gain additional insights.
How does sports medicine treat injuries?
Whenever possible, Dr. Rieber recommends conservative, noninvasive sports medicine treatments. If you have a mild or moderate injury, you might benefit from at-home treatments like rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol), over-the-counter pain medication, or light stretching.
If your symptoms persist or get worse, Dr. Rieber might recommend alternative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, stem cell therapy, or regenerative medicine with LIPOGEMS.
In rare cases, surgery may be necessary. Dr. Rieber offers several types of surgery, including joint replacement, arthroscopic surgery, shoulder surgery, ACL surgery, and knee surgery.
Is there any way to prevent sports injuries?
There’s no way to prevent sports injuries entirely, but there are things you can do to significantly lower your risk. Dr. Rieber recommends warming up and cooling down, wearing the proper protective equipment, and listening to your body. If a joint or muscle feels stiff, don’t “push through” it.
To learn more about the benefits of sports medicine, schedule an appointment at Orthopedics Unlimited by phone or online today.