Sports Medicine in Kennewick, Washington

Move Better, Feel Better, Be Better



A sports medicine physician can help you get back on track, whether you’re a beginner or an elite athlete. They help individuals of every age recover from day-to-day injuries and sports injuries alike. As specialists, they diagnose and treat joint, muscle, tendon, and bone pain. They also help patients increase flexibility and mobility in different parts of the body. Whether you want to tend to a pulled muscle, recover from an accident, relieve pain, or start a new exercise program, they’re here to help you meet your goals.

Below are typical conditions that require sports medicine expertise:

• Muscle or tendon injuries
• Knee injuries/pain
• Shoulder injuries/pain
• Diagnostic ultrasounds
• Arthritis pain
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Concussions
• Hip pain
• Non-surgical fracture management
• Tennis elbow
• Trigger finger
• Tendinitis
• Scoliosis
• Foot and ankle injuries

We offer advanced ultrasound-guided injection options for certain conditions as well.

Any individual, age 1 to 99, can benefit from the comprehensive care sports medicine doctors provide. They are ideally suited for returning individuals to full function as quickly as possible after injury. In addition to supporting injury recovery, they treat chronic joint, muscle, tendon, and bone pain. They are also great resources for those who pursue exercise for health and recreation.

How does someone become a sports medicine doctor?

Generally speaking, there are three types of sports medicine doctors: primary care sports medicine doctors, orthopedic surgeons, or physical medicine and rehabilitation specialists.

How can I prevent injuries?

Athletes can prevent injuries by developing good warm-up habits, training properly, and taking good care of their bodies and equipment.

Specifically, athletes can: perform various warm ups and seek medical advice on ways to improve performance.

Take time to stretch: A warm-up that includes dynamic stretches—a cross between an exercise and a stretch—helps move and lengthen your muscles, preventing injuries and improving performance. Plan to warm up before both training and events.

Develop a training plan: It’s best to increase activity gradually, avoiding big jumps in intensity or duration. Incorporating rest days allows the body to heal, while diversifying your exercise routine helps avoid overuse injuries.

Listen to your body: Learn your limits and avoid overtraining. Frequent use of oral medications to cover up pain can slow healing. Use ibuprofen—or “vitamin I”—and other anti-inflammatories sparingly.

Replace old equipment: Soccer players and runners often suffer from shin splints, a painful condition caused by excessive training or running in worn-out shoes. To prevent this injury, shoes should be replaced after 300 to 500 miles of use. Also, be sure to replace any piece of equipment that no longer fits securely.

Eat a balanced diet and hydrate: What you eat and drink is just as important as your workout. Proper nutrition helps you fuel your athletic performance and recover from training. Plan and prepare healthy portable snacks or meals.

Common injuries treated in Sports Medicine:

Being active and playing sports are so good for you, both physically and mentally. But there is an inherent risk of injury. Below are some of the common injuries we see in sports medicine:

• Ankle sprains
• Fractures
• Knee and shoulder injuries
• Tendonitis
• Exercise-induced asthma
• Heat illness
• Concussions
• Eating disorders
• Cartilage injuries

After we treat your injury, we will help you prevent future problems as well. We can also help you maximize your performance with the right nutrition and exercises.

Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates treat children and adolescents. If your child or teen has an injury or illness affecting sports performance, exercise, or activity, a pediatric sports medicine physician has the expertise, experience, and qualifications to address youth-specific issues.

In growing children, injuries and medical problems in the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and joints (i.e., musculoskeletal conditions) often differ significantly from those seen in older patients.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Benton Franklin Orthopedic Associates at (509) 586-2828.