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How to get more sports injury patients: a plan for sports medicine practices

The glass front entrance of an orthopedic and sports medicine practice

Active adults call about a pulled muscle, a twisted knee, a sore heel or pain that builds with training. This guide covers ads, calls and routing for sprains and strains, ACL and meniscus tears, Achilles tendon problems and overuse injuries; ankle sprains, knee arthroscopy, shoulder pain and tennis elbow have their own guides. The sports medicine physician or treating clinician (the clinician below) evaluates the patient and decides the plan, including whether and which tests are needed.

In short

  • Speak to active adults in plain words, without fear or blame.
  • Keep landing pages simple: injuries you see, evaluation, clinician, price, one way to book.
  • Book the evaluation with a short script that never names a treatment.
  • Relay only the MedlinePlus and NIAMS lines for urgent signs, then tell the clinical team.
  • Follow up with consent, without pressure, and track each request.
  1. SearchAn adult looks for care near them.
  2. Your pageWhat you treat, who sees them, one way to book.
  3. Call or formThey call or send a request.
  4. Front deskBooks the visit and never guesses a cause.
  5. Clinical teamThe clinician decides the plan.
How a new patient request reaches your practice.

1. Who the patients are and what they search for

Callers are adults who run, lift or play sports; some bring a referral, imaging or a wish for a second opinion. They search for a sports medicine doctor near them, a pulled hamstring, a torn ACL, a meniscus tear or Achilles pain. Use the same words on your pages.

The NIAMS sports injuries page says “Anyone can suffer a sports injury, but several factors can increase the risk of sustaining injury.” It also names “Chronic injuries, which are usually related to repetitive loading or overuse and develop gradually over time.” So no blame about fitness, age or a weekend game. Aim ads at adults only, and never build audiences from health information.

2. Landing page basics

  • Name the injuries you see. Care starts with an evaluation.
  • Give the sports medicine physician’s name and real credentials.
  • Give a starting price and what it includes. Self-pay patients may be entitled to a good faith estimate.
  • Show one way to book.

The NIAMS sports injuries diagnosis page says the doctor will likely “Perform a comprehensive physical exam of the injured area.” The MedlinePlus knee injuries page says “Treatment of knee problems depends on the cause.”

So never say who needs a test, never name a treatment, and never promise a return to sport or any outcome. Avoid “back in the game”, “fix your knee”, “skip surgery”, “risk-free” and “insurance will cover it”. Better: “the sports medicine physician will examine the injury, decide whether any tests are needed and talk through the options with you”.

3. The phone script

Staff collect answers and book. They never judge urgency, never say what condition a caller has and never name a treatment.

  1. “Thanks for calling. May I take your name, your age and the reason for your visit?”
  2. “Which part of the body, and did a doctor refer you? Please bring any earlier imaging.”
  3. “The evaluation starts at [price]. Imaging may be extra. We will check your plan, but cannot promise coverage.”
  4. Which treatment, and will it work? “We cannot tell that on the phone. The sports medicine physician will examine you and decide with you whether any tests are needed and what the options are.”
  5. “I can book your evaluation now. May we text or email you about it?”

Book adults only; pass any caller under 18 to the clinical team. Staff never advise on medicines, home care or whether to keep playing; they pass those questions on. See the new patient phone script.

4. Routing and safety lines

Relay only what the sources say, each line that matches, then tell the clinical team right away.

  • The MedlinePlus sprains article says “Go to the hospital right away or call 911 or the local emergency number if:” and lists “You think you have a broken bone.”, “The joint appears out of position.”, “You have a serious injury or severe pain.” and “You hear a popping sound and have immediate problems using the joint.” Tell a caller who reports one of these exactly that. It also says “Contact your provider if:” and lists “Swelling does not start to go away within 2 days.”, “You have symptoms of infection, including red, warm, painful skin or a fever over 100°F (38°C).” and “The pain does not go away after several weeks.” Relay these.
  • The strains article says “Call the local emergency number, such as 911, if:” and lists “You are unable to move the muscle.” and “The injury is bleeding.” It also says “Contact your health care provider if the pain does not go away after several weeks.” Relay these the same way.
  • The ACL injury article says “Contact your provider right away if you have a serious knee injury.” and “Get immediate medical attention if the foot is cool and blue after a knee injury. This means that the knee joint may be dislocated, and blood vessels to the foot may be injured. This is a medical emergency.” Relay that.
  • NIAMS says “You should see a health care provider if you have symptoms of a serious injury. These symptoms include:” and lists “Severe pain, swelling, or bruising.”, “Being unable to tolerate any weight on the area.” and “An obvious deformity.” Relay that.
  • The Achilles tendinitis article says “Contact your provider if:” and lists “You have pain in the heel around the Achilles tendon that is worse with activity.” and “You have sharp pain and are unable to walk or push-off without extreme pain or weakness.” Relay that and book the evaluation.

Callers who say they feel anxious, stressed or upset go to the clinical team promptly. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team.

Text or email only with the patient’s own contact details and consent; see texting patients and the TCPA. Follow up without pressure; see consultation to treatment.

Make referrals easy, and never offer or accept payment for them; see patient referrals for medical practices. Track each request from first contact to evaluation.

Where MediLeadGen fits

MediLeadGen sends practices requests from people interested in cash-pay elective treatments. Each request goes to one practice only, with the person’s consent naming that practice, at a fixed price per delivered request.

See how it works for practices

Questions practices ask

How do we get more sports injury patients?

Answer quickly, give clear prices and real credentials, keep claims inside the sources, and book an evaluation where the clinician decides on tests and the plan.

Can we tell callers which treatment they need or that it will work?

No. MedlinePlus says treatment of knee problems depends on the cause. The sports medicine physician or treating clinician decides the plan after the evaluation.

What should the front desk do when a call sounds urgent?

Relay the matching MedlinePlus or NIAMS line from section 4, then tell the clinical team right away. If a caller says they are thinking about killing or hurting themselves, stay with them and tell them to dial 911 if it is an emergency or to call or text the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, as MedlinePlus advises, then tell the clinical team.

Does insurance cover sports injury care?

Coverage varies by plan. Check each patient’s plan, and do not promise coverage in ads or on the phone.

General information for practice teams, not legal or clinical advice. Check device labeling, FDA requirements, state rules and your advertising with counsel and your clinicians. Last reviewed October 2026.

More resources

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