Sports Medicine

Whether you’re a professional athlete, a school athlete, or a weekend warrior, sooner or later you’ll sustain an injury or want to learn how to avoid one. Benjamin Petty, MD, in Dunn, North Carolina, is board-certified in sports medicine and is passionate about getting you active again. Dr. Petty played Division I basketball for the North Carolina State Wolfpack, served as team doctor for multiple high school and college teams, and worked with the professional athletes of the NBA Memphis Grizzlies and minor league baseball’s Memphis Redbirds. To set up a consultation, call Dr. Petty’s office or use the online form.

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine concentrates on preventing and healing injuries that tend to happen to athletes. Dr. Petty has two board certifications, one in family medicine physician and another in sports medicine. 

He underwent specialized training and certification for the non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal injuries and conditions related to sports and athletics. 

What kinds of injuries does a sports medicine doctor treat?

Dr. Petty is an expert in diagnosing and treating trauma or pain in your bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some examples of injuries and conditions he helps heal include, but aren’t limited to:

• Rotator cuff tears
• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears
• Meniscus tears
• Tennis elbow
• Fractures
• Osteoarthritis
• Tendonitis
• Concussion and head injuries

He can also make “return to play” decisions once your injury has healed.

How does a sports medicine doctor treat sports injuries?

Dr. Petty emphasizes lifestyle changes and supportive therapies that avoid or minimize your need for surgery or other invasive treatments. Some therapies that Dr. Petty offers include:

• Physical therapy
• Therapeutic injections
• Tenex Health TX® 
• Ultrasound therapies
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy
• Stem cell therapy
• Radiofrequency ablation
• Viscosupplementation

He may also recommend specific treatments for ailments that impair your performance and health, including diabetes, asthma, and substance-use issues.

Do I need surgery to repair my sports injury?

Dr. Petty only refers you to a surgeon if regenerative therapies haven’t helped or aren’t likely to help. If you do need surgery, some treatments — such as PRP and stem cell therapy — can accelerate your postoperative healing so you recover sooner and get back in the game again.

How can I optimize my athletic performance?

Dr. Petty is passionate about helping you reach optimal health and preventing injuries from occurring in the first place. To maximize your health, he may:

• Change your diet to emphasize whole foods
• Recommend supplements and herbs
• Create an issue-specific exercise regimen
• Evaluate and modify your repetitive movements
• Refer you to an orthopedist or another specialist

To set up a sport-medicine or performance-enhancement consultation, use the online booking form or call Dr. Petty’s helpful staff.