Sports medicine specialists are medical doctors who specialize in the treatment of people with injuries to their bones, muscles, joints, tendons, or ligaments that result from physical activity. Such injuries may include cartilage tears, ligament ruptures of the knee, and shoulder or knee problems.

Sports medicine specialists may be doctors in emergency medicine, family medicine, or internal medicine, or they may be pediatricians who further specialize in sports medicine. Orthopedic surgeons also often specialize in sports medicine.

Sports medicine specialists can be board-certified through the Boards of Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Internal Medicine, or Pediatrics, all of which are recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties.