Sports Medicine is offered at The Clinic at Christie in Toronto. Sports Medicine is a specialized area of medicine focusing on understanding, diagnosing and managing muscle, joint and skeletal issues as they pertain to sport and exercise.
What Is a Sports Medicine Physician?
Sports Medicine Physicians are Medical Doctors who are licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario. They hold board certifications with the College of Family Physicians of Canada or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada only after completing medical school and post-graduate residency education.
They have additional specialized training in the field of Sports Medicine and other related sub- specialties. Visits are covered by the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) with a valid health card.
For more information, please visit the Canadian Academy of Sport and Exercise Medicine website.
What does a Sports Medicine Physician Do?
- Diagnosing and managing acute, degenerative, and overuse joint and muscular problems
- Prescribing exercise and physical activity for maintaining good health and to prevent and treat chronic medical conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, osteoarthritis and depression
- Treating exercise related medical problems such as concussion and asthma
- Providing care for people of all ages in recreational, amateur, elite, and professional sports including preparticipation medical assessments, sporting event medical coverage, anti-doping, environmental issues, mental health, and treating athletes with disabilities
- Prevention of injury and medical illness related to physical activity and sport
Injections for Joint and Soft Tissue Injuries
Our sports medicine doctor at The Clinic at Christie is trained to provide a variety of injections for joints, tendons, muscular trigger points, bursas, and soft tissue injuries. Common conditions that injections can be used for include:
- Arthritis in any joint
- Bursitis in any joint
- Repetitive Strain injuries
- Golfer’s elbow
- Tennis elbow
- Muscular trigger points
- Plantar fasciitis
- Frozen shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Morton’s Neuroma
- Tendinopathies
- Trigger Finger
- Rotator Cuff injuries
Viscosupplementation (Hyaluronic Acid)
Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring substance in synovial joints that acts as a lubricant to protect our joints. Individuals who have osteoarthritis (OA) no longer benefit from this lubrication and experience inflammation, pain, and decreased mobility. OA is commonly found in knee joints but can also occur in other joints of the body such as hips, shoulders, hands, and ankles.
Viscosupplementation is the process of injecting a gel that helps restore the lubrication in synovial joints. This procedure in turn will restore the shock absorption properties of the joint, reduce pain and inflammation, and improve mobility.
Steroid (Cortisone) Injections
A corticosteroid injection is commonly used to reduce pain and inflammation in a bursa, joint or tendon. The injection provides immediate relief of symptoms as inflammation resolves. There are often limitations in the number of steroid injections an individual can receive.
Trigger Point Injections
These types of injections are used when muscles are painful, contracted and cannot relax. Most often occurring in the neck and back musculature after an injury.
Speak with our Sports Medicine Doctor to find out what option is best for you.
Why Choose One of Our Sports Medicine Physicians?
At The Clinic at Christie, our Physicians will go through a comprehensive examination that includes a thorough history and physical examination to determine your diagnosis and management plan. They may recommend further investigations including x-rays, ultrasounds, MRI, CT scans, bone scans or other outside medical services if needed.
They will inform you of all your treatment options and answer any questions you may have to help you make the best decisions for your injury management.
Consultations are covered by OHIP and there a referral is required.
How Do I Book an Appointment?
The Clinic at Christie is conveniently located in Toronto at the corner of Dupont and Christie. You can call us at (416) 536-8000 to book an appointment.
Visits with a Sports Medicine Physician are covered by a valid OHIP card. Please note however that the costs associated with injections are not covered by OHIP and an additional fee will apply. Some extended health benefit plans may cover the cost of injections.
Our Toronto Sports Medicine Doctors
Dr. Timothy Rindlisbacher
Dr. Tim Rindlisbacher is an experienced leader in sports medicine at The Clinic at Christie in Toronto.
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