Sports medicine is the field of medicine that treats sports-related injuries and many other issues regarding those involved in sports. A sports medicine physician works with athletes to prevent injury and illness, and to improve health and fitness. This specialist promotes the prevention of injury, and is knowledgeable in cardiology, orthopedics, exercise physiology, nutrition, psychology, emergency medicine, and other fields.

Physicians in this specialty treat patients suffering from numerous diseases and illnesses, but some of the most common are Spinal Stenosis, Spinal Injury, Spinal Infection, Scoliosis, Tendonitis, Spondylolisthesis, Spinal Discectomy, arthritis, Carpal tunnel syndrome, Bursitis of the Hip, Spinal Deformity, Spinal Cord Tumors, Herniated Disc, Arthritis of the Shoulder, Tendinitis of the Wrist, Concussion, Frozen Shoulder, Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow), Bunions, and Torn ACL.

Once properly diagnosed, practitioners can perform numerous procedures on patients including cartilage transplant, Back / Spine Surgery , Hand surgery, Knee replacement, Hip Replacement, Disc Disease / Surgery, limb lengthening, Invasive Disc Surgery, Hip Surgery, shoulder surgery, Kyphosis Surgery, knee surgery, Joint Surgery, and Total Shoulder Replacement.

To diagnose patients with possible illnesses and diseases, specialists will often perform one of many tests including Arthroscopy, x-ray, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), musculoskeletal examination, physicial examination, and Cardiac Examination.

Doctor density varies by specialty and location. Arkansas has 23 practicing sports medicine doctors. Broken out by city, sports medicine doctor density in Arkadelphia is 1, in Bentonville is 2, in Fayetteville is 4, in Fort Smith is 2, in Hope is 1, in Hot Springs is 2, in Hot Springs National Park is 1, in Jonesboro is 1, in Little Rock is 9, in Mountain Home is 1, in North Little Rock is 1, in Rogers is 1, and in Texarkana is 1.

Arkansas is home to many lakes and rivers for those interested in fishing and water sports. Cruise up the Arkansas River, fish in the White River of the Ozark Mountains, or drive the Great River Road along the Mississippi River Delta. Tour Arkansas wine country in the Altus area, step inside a log cabin from the 1800s in southern Arkansas, or hike nature trails in Hot Springs National Park. Arkansas’ population is 2,779,154. Little Rock is Arkansas’ capital city, and has numerous restaurants, museums, golfing, and an extensive park system. Visit the monument that marks the initial point for surveys of the 1803 Louisiana Purchase.

According to 2005 Census estimates, Arkansas has a population of 2,779,154. Of this population, 662,920 are under the age of 18 and 381,547 are at or above the age of 65.