Orthopedics also includes the care of muscles, along with tendons and ligaments, which are the ropes that connect bones to muscles, and bones to bones. Activities can cause injuries to these parts of our body by over-stressing or stretching or tearing. These injuries can often be quite successfully treated with nonsurgical means as long as they are correctly diagnosed and treated. On occasion surgery is the better choice to restore function and relieve pain.
Sports medicine is a branch of medicine that deals with physical fitness, treatment and prevention of injuries related to sports and exercise. Although most sports teams have employed team physicians for many years, it is only since the late 20th century that Sport and Exercise Medicine has emerged as a distinct entity in health care.