Dr. Andrew Smith, MD

Dr. Andrew Smith, MD is a Sports Medicine physician dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care at his clinic in Gainesville, FL. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your Sports Medicine physician is your primary partner in creating a long-term health plan, coordinating preventative screenings, and managing your overall wellness to keep you active and injury-free. He serves individuals of all ages, from youth to senior athletes, and active people committed to maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Please call (352) 733-1471 to confirm if he is currently accepting new patients.

Dr. Andrew Smith, MD is a sports medicine specialist in Gainesville, FL, affiliated with UF Health Shands Hospital. He is Board Certified in Emergency Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine, and Board Certified in Sports Medicine by the American Board of Emergency Medicine. Dr. Smith's approach to care is deeply rooted in collaborative, evidence-based medicine, creating a supportive environment where patients feel empowered to take an active role in their long-term health. He prioritizes proactive strategies to prevent injuries and maintain optimal athletic performance. Dr. Smith provides consultations primarily in English.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Andrew Smith is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Andrew Smith can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Andrew Smith provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Spinal Osteophyte: Managing risk factors such as poor posture and lack of physical activity helps prevent the formation of spinal osteophytes and maintain spinal health throughout your life.
• Tibial Fracture: Proper conditioning, appropriate training techniques, and warming up before exercise can significantly reduce your risk of experiencing a tibial fracture, enabling you to maintain an active lifestyle.
• Hip Dislocation: Managing hip dislocation effectively involves early intervention and rehabilitation to restore stability and prevent recurrent dislocations.
• Carpotarsal Osteochondromatosis: Carpotarsal osteochondromatosis, characterized by abnormal bone and cartilage formation in your wrist and ankle, can benefit from early intervention to manage symptoms and prevent long-term joint problems.
• Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS): Early detection of PFPS through regular checkups and paying attention to knee pain can help manage the condition before it becomes severe, preventing chronic pain and limitations.
• Osteitis: Osteitis, or bone inflammation, can be prevented by maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition and regular exercise, to minimize your risk of developing this painful condition.
• Knee Dislocation: Addressing underlying joint laxity and muscle imbalances reduces your susceptibility to knee dislocation, protecting you from the pain and disability it causes.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Andrew Smith offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Revision of Total Joint: Regain your quality of life and relieve persistent joint pain by reviewing your options for a total joint revision, a procedure that helps address failed joint replacements.
• Elbow Fracture Repair: Repairing an elbow fracture promptly helps prevent chronic pain, stiffness, and potential loss of strength and functionality.
• Arthroscopic Labrum Repair: Arthroscopic labrum repair is a minimally invasive surgical procedure to fix a torn labrum in your shoulder or hip, helping you get back to your active lifestyle sooner.
• Spica Casts: Protecting your hip or pelvic area from further damage following a fracture, a spica cast plays a key role in the healing process and helps reduce pain.
• Nonunion Surgery: Nonunion surgery is a proactive step to correct a failed bone healing process, promoting proper bone fusion and reducing the risk of future complications.
• Lower Spine Surgery: Lower spine surgery addresses severe spinal conditions, helping prevent long-term disability and improve quality of life.
• EMG (Electromyography): An EMG test helps proactively identify muscle and nerve problems by measuring the electrical activity in your muscles, potentially preventing long-term issues.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sports Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Andrew Smith is dedicated to partnering with Coaches and Athletic Trainers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Athlete's life:

• By focusing on good posture and incorporating regular exercise into their routine, a patient proactively reduced their risk of spinal osteophytes, gaining confidence in their long-term spinal health.
• By focusing on proper training techniques and consistent warm-ups, a young athlete significantly reduced their risk of a tibial fracture, allowing them to maintain their active lifestyle and pursue their athletic goals.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sports Medicine care with Dr. Andrew Smith:

What is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Sports Medicine Physicians, often from family medicine or physical medicine and rehabilitation, focus on non-surgical treatment of sports injuries. They are often the first point of contact for diagnosis and initial care, and will refer to an Orthopedic Surgeon when surgery is needed. Orthopedic Surgeons are surgical specialists for the musculoskeletal system. They are partners in care, working together to provide the best possible outcomes.

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique using a small camera and instruments inserted through small incisions to repair joint damage. It offers less pain, faster recovery, and quicker return to activity compared to traditional open surgery.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy?

PRP therapy is a regenerative medicine technique where a concentrated amount of your own platelets is injected into the injured area. The goal is to use your body's natural growth factors to accelerate healing of tendons, ligaments, and joints, offering a modern, non-surgical option to prevent the progression of certain chronic injuries.

How is osteoarthritis treated non-surgically?

Non-surgical osteoarthritis management focuses on strategies like activity modification, physical therapy to strengthen supporting muscles, and weight management to reduce joint stress. Cortisone or viscosupplementation injections can also help manage symptoms. These are powerful ways to manage symptoms and prevent or delay the need for joint replacement surgery.

What is the goal of physical therapy after an injury or surgery?

Physical therapy is a critical part of your recovery, aiming to reduce pain, restore range of motion, improve strength and stability, and retrain your body for safe movement. This is essential to prevent re-injury and ensure a successful, long-lasting return to activity.

What is a rotator cuff tear?

A rotator cuff tear is damage to one or more of the four tendons and muscles that stabilize the shoulder. This often results from overuse or a sudden injury. Treatment focuses on alleviating pain and restoring function to prevent long-term shoulder weakness and arthritis.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone, often from repetitive use or overuse. It differs from an acute fracture, which is caused by a single, sudden impact. Proper diagnosis and rest are crucial to prevent the stress fracture from worsening.

What's the difference between a sprain and a strain?

A sprain affects ligaments (bone to bone), while a strain affects muscles or tendons (muscle to bone).

1329 SW 16th St
Gainesville FL 32608
Phone: (352) 733-1471

Dr. Andrew Smith, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1134682453

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sports Medicine like Dr. Andrew Smith are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sports medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.