What is Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery?

A sports medicine surgeon is an orthopedic surgeon who has undergone additional fellowship training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. From the sideline to the operating room, sports medicine surgeons care for a range of injuries and conditions experienced by athletes of all levels, from the weekend warrior to the professional athlete. 

Experts in both the operative and nonoperative care of musculoskeletal pathology, a sports medicine surgeon emphasizes addressing the root cause of pain and disability to help restore the body’s optimal biomechanical function.

Orthopedic sports medicine surgeons specialize in injury to the soft tissues, including ligament and tendon tears. They also specialize in cartilage preservation, which includes treating cartilage injury and transplant, and joint injury and dysfunction. Sports medicine physicians are also on the forefront of innovation, utilizing biologic treatments such as PRP to supplement the body's natural healing response to injury.

A cornerstone of sports medicine surgery is the use of arthroscopy, or a specialized camera system, to aid in the performance of complex surgery such as ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction. Utilization of arthroscopy helps orthopedic surgeons perform surgeries in a minimally invasive manner, otherwise these same procedures would have to be performed through larger incisions. 

The ultimate goal of a sports medicine surgeon is a practice dedicated to the comprehensive diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injury and to get patients back on the field and back to their lives.