Why You Should See a Vascular Sports Medicine Doctor
When you exercise, your heart beats faster to deliver extra oxygen and nutrients to your muscles through your blood. We all know that exercise is good for us, but too much physical stress can indeed be bad for your body – and athletes tend to push their physical limits.
A sports medicine doctor who specializes in the vascular (and cardiovascular) system can give you ongoing feedback about your athletic performance and about how you can safely push yourself to go further. Let’s talk about why a vascular sports medicine doctor should be part of your healthcare team, and where you can go here in the Kansas City area for world-class sports medicine care.
Detect and Treat Circulation Issues for Maximum Sports Performance
If you often experience leg cramps or unexplained pain and swelling, you may be experiencing venous insufficiency. This condition happens when the veins have difficulty in pushing the “used” blood back to the heart for reprocessing. Sometimes, blood may even flow slightly backward and pool in the legs, and this causes varicose veins and spider veins.
A vascular sports medicine doctor can order an ultrasound vein screening to check if there are any issues with your veins, especially in your legs. During this test, a technician runs a small handheld device (the ultrasound transducer) along your leg or whatever area is being inspected.
The transducer sends detailed images of your veins to a nearby monitor, and the technician will capture still photos and video clips from the scan for your doctor to view. Depending on the diagnosis, your vascular sports medicine doctor will devise an appropriate treatment plan.
Proactively Improve Your Physical Performance
By addressing circulation-related issues, your vascular sports medicine doctor will be able to help you improve your physical performance. For example, without leg cramps, you can play or perform longer.
Prevent Dangerous Health Conditions from Developing
Some venous issues are serious, such as deep vein thrombosis (DVT). DVT is the result of a blood clot forming in a vein, usually in a leg. This condition can develop when you’ve been sitting for a long time, such as on a long plane ride or bus ride to a competition. Left untreated, DVT may result in potentially grave complications, like a pulmonary embolism.
A vascular sports medicine doctor can recognize the warning signs of DVT and devise an appropriate treatment plan, such as blood thinners and/or compression stockings.
Vascular Sports Medicine Doctor in Kansas City, MO
If you’re looking for an expert vascular sports medicine doctor, look no further than Dr. Scott Darling at Missouri Vein Specialists. Dr. Darling is triple-board-certified in vein and lymphatic medicine, with extensive experience treating a wide range of venous diseases and performing preventive medicine for athletes. Dr. Darling is also certified in interventional sports medicine.
To schedule an appointment with Dr. Darling, call us today at (816) 792-3400 or fill out our online appointment request form. We look forward to helping you improve your performance and continue leading an active life!
