From Injury to Victory: How Sports Medicine Keeps You in the Game
July 7, 2025Tags: Sports Medicine
Whether you’re a student-athlete, a weekend runner, or simply someone who enjoys staying active, injuries can happen. A sprained ankle, a torn ligament, or chronic joint pain can sideline your plans and shake your confidence.
That’s where sports medicine comes in. At St. Mary’s Health Care System, we are champions at helping you heal, rebuild, and return to the activities you love, with expert care and a personalized plan designed just for you. We even have a primary care physician, Dr. Brian Brewer with St. Mary’s Internal Medicine, who specializes in sports medicine and is accepting new patients.
What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine is a specialized branch of healthcare that focuses on preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating injuries related to physical activity. But it’s not just for athletes; anyone with a musculoskeletal injury or chronic movement-related pain can benefit.
Across our system, our team works with active individuals of all ages and fitness levels, including:
- High school and college athletes
- Weekend warriors
- People with physically demanding jobs
- Adults managing joint or tendon issues
- Older adults staying fit and mobile
From your first consultation to your return to activity, we’re with you every step of the way.
Common Injuries We Treat
Sports-related injuries can range from acute trauma to overuse conditions. Our team frequently treats:
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures and dislocations
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Knee injuries, including ACL and meniscus tears
- Tendonitis and bursitis
- Shin splints
- Tennis elbow
- Concussions and head injuries
- Chronic joint pain
We also work closely with orthopedic specialists and physical therapists to ensure comprehensive, coordinated care.
Getting You Back in the Game, Safely
Recovery isn’t just about healing, it’s about returning stronger, more confident, and better equipped to prevent future injury. Our approach includes:
Through advanced imaging, physical evaluations, and medical history review, we work to identify the exact cause of your pain or injury.
We tailor each plan to your needs and goals, whether you’re aiming for peak performance or returning to daily activity.
Our network of rehabilitation experts will help you reduce pain and restore strength, flexibility, balance, and mobility with targeted exercises and therapies.
Once you’ve recovered, we help you stay that way—with tips on proper form, warm-ups, conditioning, and equipment.
The Role of Minimally Invasive & Robotic Surgery
For some injuries, especially those involving the joints or ligaments, surgery may be necessary. At St. Mary’s, our surgeons utilize minimally invasive and robotic-assisted techniques whenever possible to minimize pain, expedite recovery, and help you regain mobility sooner.
If surgery becomes part of your journey, you can count on precise, patient-centered care and a thoughtful transition into rehab.
Sports Medicine Is for More Than Just Sports
One of the biggest myths about sports medicine? That it’s only for athletes. In truth, it’s for anyone who wants to move better, feel stronger, and avoid injury, no matter your age or activity level.
Our goal is to keep you in motion, pain-free, and living life on your terms.
Start with Your Primary Care Provider
Not sure where to begin? Start by talking to your primary care provider. They can help assess your injury, recommend next steps, and connect you to sports medicine or orthopedic specialists.
We make it easy to get the care you need with primary care locations throughout the region:
- Athens Internal Medicine Associates – Athens
- Community Internal Medicine of Athens – Athens
- Georgia Family Medicine – Watkinsville
- Good Samaritan Primary Care – Greater Greene County area
- Sacred Heart Primary Care – Greater Franklin County area
- St. Mary's Family Medicine – Bogart
- St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates – Watkinsville/Oconee
- St. Mary’s Internal Medicine Associates on Chase – North Athens/Jackson/Madison
- St. Mary's Primary Care – Athens
If You’re Looking for a Sports Medicine Specialist
Dr. Brian Brewer is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician who also completed a primary care sports medicine fellowship at the University of Kentucky. A “Double Dawg” graduate of the University of Georgia in biology and exercise science, he provides comprehensive care for patients looking to maximize their athletic performance or dealing with sports-related injuries and conditions, from sprained ankles to post-surgical rehabilitation. Learn more and schedule your new patient appointment today!
Victory Begins with the Right Care
Injuries happen, but they don’t have to define your future. With the right support, healing is possible, and so is your comeback.
From the first twinge to your triumphant return, we’ll help you every step of the way.
Learn more about Sports Medicine at St. Mary’s
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