Question 1

What does a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon do?

Accepted Answer

A Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon is a Orthopaedics physician with focused training in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to sports and physical activity. After completing Orthopaedics residency, they pursue additional fellowship training so they can manage cases that fall outside what a general orthopaedic surgeon typically handles day to day.

Question 2

What conditions does a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon treat?

Accepted Answer

A Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon commonly treats ACL and ligament injuries, meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy, concussion management, and stress fractures. Many also see closely related conditions within Orthopaedics, particularly when a case is complex, atypical, or has not responded to first-line care from a general orthopaedic surgeon.

Question 3

When should I see a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon?

Accepted Answer

Consider seeing a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon when you have a sports- or activity-related injury that has not resolved with rest and conservative care, when a primary care clinician or general orthopaedic surgeon suggests a focused evaluation, or when you want a second opinion from a physician whose practice is concentrated on this exact area. Patients often reach a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon through referral, but you can also seek one directly.

Question 4

How is a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon different from a general orthopaedic surgeon?

Accepted Answer

Both are board-eligible orthopaedic surgeons, but a Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon has additional fellowship training and a practice that focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to sports and physical activity. General orthopaedic surgeons treat a broad range of Orthopaedics concerns; Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeons concentrate on the harder or more specific cases within that range, and tend to see a higher volume of patients with ACL and ligament injuries, meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, tendinopathy, concussion management, and stress fractures.

Question 5

How does Convene match me with a top Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon?

Accepted Answer

Convene Health evaluates orthopaedic surgeons on peer recognition, clinical leadership, published research, institutional affiliations, and patient feedback. When you complete an intake, our care team reviews your history and matches you with a vetted Sports Medicine orthopaedic surgeon whose focus aligns with your case. Membership covers priority appointment coordination; the match itself is free.

Best Sports Medicine specialists in California

Richard Ferkel, M.D.

George Hatch, MD

Bert Mandelbaum, M.D.

Orr Limpisvasti, MD

George Thabit, MD

Ryan Dellamaggiora, M.D.

Michael Freehill, M.D.

Michael Gerhardt, M.D.

Thomas Knapp, M.D.

Stephen Howell, M.D.

Hubert Kim, MD

Sharon Hame, MD

Basil Alwattar, M.D.

Michael Banffy, MD

Christopher Proctor, MD

Chunbong Ma, MD

Sara Edwards, M.D.

Deryk Jones, MD

Michael Shepard, MD

Brian Feeley, M.D.

Frequently Asked Questions