Sports Medicine Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ

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What is Sports Medicine? 

Sports Medicine is a medical specialty focused on evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments. it covers both acute injuries (sprains, strains) and chronic conditions (overuse injuries, arthritis) in athletes, and active individuals of all ages. 

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What conditions does Dr. Timothy Burns treat? 

Dr. Burns treat a wide range of sports medicine and orthopedic conditions, including but not limited to: 

• Shoulder injuries (rotator cuff pathology, impingement, instability, biceps tendonitis) 

• Elbow pain (tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, biceps pain) 

• Wrist injuries (sprains, tendinitis, carpal tunnel syndrome) 

• Hip issues (labral tears, bursitis, tendinopathy) 

• Knee pain (ligament sprain, MCL, LCL, ACL, patellar maltracking, knee arthritis) 

• Ankle and foot injuries (ankle sprain, Achilles pain, plantar fasciitis, midfoot arthritis, hallux valgus) 

• Muscle strains, tendon injuries, arthritis and overuse syndromes. 

These are managed using non-surgical, evidence based approaches. 

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Does Dr. Burns perform surgery? 

No - Dr. Burns focuses on non-operative patient-centered care for sports and musculoskeletal injuries. When surgery is indicated, he collaborates with orthopedic surgeons to ensure appropriate surgical referral and coordinated care. 

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What are common treatments offered by Dr. Timothy Burns? 

Dr. Timothy Burns provides a comprehensive range of non-surgical treatments including: 

• Diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound

• Ultrasound-guided joint and soft tissue injections

• Platelet-rich plasma and other regenerative medicine therapies

• Image-guided corticosteroid and viscosupplementation injections 

• Physical therapy coordination and rehabilitation planning

• Return-to-play and activity modification guidance

These treatment emphasize precision targeted healing while minimizing downtime. 

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What is PRP and who is a good candidate? 

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) uses a patient's owe blood, processed to concentrate growth factors, then injected into tissues to support healing. Good candidates often include patients with: 

• Chronic tendon issues (tennis elbow, golfers elbow, rotator cuff tears) 

• Mild to moderate arthritis 

• Ligament of muscle injuries

• Pain not responding to rear or conservative therapy

PRP is performed under ultrasound guidance to improve accuracy. 

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Do I need a referral to see Dr. Timothy Burns? 

No, you do not need a referral to schedule a sports medicine consultation with Dr. Burns. Referrals from primary care physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists, chiropractors or other health specialists are welcome and can enhance care coordination. 

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Does Dr. Burns treat athletes? 

Yes - Dr. Burns treats athletes at all levels including: 

• Youth and high school athletes

• Collegiate and adult recreational athletes

• Weekend warriors and active adults. 

He emphasizes safe return to sport and activity with personalized treatment planning. 

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When should someone consider a sports medicine referral? 

It's appropriate to refer a patient or seek evaluation when they have: 

• Acute injury with pain, swelling or loss of function. 

• Symptoms not improving with rest, ice, NSAIDs or therapy. 

• Overuse injuries like tendinitis, tennis elbow, golfers elbow, jumpers knee, Achilles pain

• Persistent joint pain limited daily or athletic activity

• Need for advanced imaging or ultrasound-guided injections

• Questions about safe return-to-play timing. 

Early evaluation often improves outcomes. 

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How do I schedule an appointment? 

Patients can schedule by: 

• Calling the office directly

• Requesting an appointment via the website

• Coordinating through a referring provider. 

Prompt assessment helps guide the most effective treatment plan.