Sports Medicine and COVID-19: What You Should Know

The outbreak of COVID-19 has been an unfortunate game-changer for access to medical care, including sports medicine providers. Among the consequences are the need for using telehealth to meet with your doctor when possible and using social distancing and other measures during in-person appointments.

At Peninsula Orthopedic Associates in the Bay Area, we're taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of you and our staff in the event you have an injury. Our doctors are following the most up-to-date guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect you in the event you need orthopedic care.

What is COVID-19?

The devastating COVID-19 outbreak has created new normals for almost everyone in every household and profession. This disease is respiratory in nature and can range from mild symptoms to severe, even fatal, respiratory distress. Other symptoms of this disease include: 

• Fever and chills
• Cough
• Trouble breathing
• Loss of taste or smell
• Fatigue
• Muscle aches
• Nausea or vomiting
• Diarrhea

These symptoms may show up anywhere from 2-14 days after you've been exposed to someone with the virus. 

If you have any of these symptoms and are scheduled for an appointment or surgery, please let our staff know as soon as possible so we can take the necessary steps to ensure the virus doesn't spread further. We've evolved to continue to provide care no matter the circumstance.

How the pandemic has affected sports medicine

This global pandemic has changed sports — and consequently sports medicine — in a way that no one could have envisioned. If you're an athlete, you know all too well about your lack of opportunities, with most sporting events postponed or canceled. 

The corresponding drop in sports-related injuries has impacted offices just like ours throughout the nation. Instead, the focus is shifting to giving you pointers on keeping your body in the best possible condition to ensure you stay healthy, while following strategies to keep the spread of the virus to a minimum. 

Sports medicine: the new normal

At Peninsula Orthopedic Associates, we're doing everything we can to protect our staff and you from COVID-19 while providing you and your family with the best care possible. Here are some of the ways we’re preventing the spread of COVID-19:

Telehealth appointments

We're now offering virtual telehealth appointments so you're able to see one of our providers without visiting one of our offices. Telemedicine appointments are also HIPAA compliant, meaning your personal information is safe and secure. 

Once your appointment begins, you have the opportunity to chat, share photos, get prescriptions, and have a two-way video chat with one of our providers. If you need further imaging or assessment, our office can arrange an in-person appointment or schedule those imaging studies.

Hand hygiene

Proper hand hygiene has always been a very important part of medicine. Now, more than ever, it's a crucial part of stopping the spread of COVID-19. Hand washing should include using  warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. 

You can also use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol, another part of our strategy for protecting you and us when you have an in-office appointment.

Social distancing, masks

At our office, it’s also important to stay at least 6 feet away from other patients and our staff when possible, and face masks are another measure that you can use to keep yourself safe and healthy.

If you find yourself in need of orthopedic care, call one of our four offices in Daly City, San Francisco and Atherton, California, or book an appointment online. You can also send a message to the team here on our website.