Understanding Sports Medicine
Sports medicine focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of athletic and activity-related injuries across all age groups and fitness levels. Our fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians serving Maryland and the DC Metro Area specialize in arthroscopic surgery, ligament reconstruction, cartilage restoration, fractures, and managing degenerative conditions such as arthritis, most commonly for the shoulder, knee, and elbow. You do not need to be a competitive athlete to benefit — we treat anyone experiencing joint pain, instability, an activity-related injury, or a degenerative condition.
Common Symptoms, Conditions & Treatment Options for Sports Injuries
Symptoms
- Sudden sharp pain during activity
- Swelling or bruising around a joint or muscle
- Joint instability or giving-way sensation
- Popping or snapping at the time of injury
- Difficulty bearing weight or using the affected limb
- Pain that worsens with continued activity
- Limited range of motion
- Persistent pain that does not improve with rest within 1–2 weeks
Conditions
- ACL tears and knee ligament injuries
- Meniscus tears
- Rotator cuff tears and shoulder injuries
- Concussions and head injuries
- Stress fractures
- Tendinopathy and overuse injuries
- Muscle strains
- Cartilage injuries
- UCL injuries of the elbow
- Hip labral tears
Treatment Options
- Non-surgical management: activity modification, bracing, physical therapy
- Corticosteroid or PRP injections
- Arthroscopic surgery for joint injuries
- ACL reconstruction
- Meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy
- Rotator cuff repair
- Concussion management and return-to-play protocols
- Sport-specific rehabilitation programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Sports medicine is a subspecialty of orthopedics focused on preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries related to sports and physical activity, including ACL tears, rotator cuff injuries, concussions, and overuse conditions.
No. Sports medicine specialists treat active individuals of all ages and fitness levels, from weekend warriors to professional athletes, as well as anyone with a musculoskeletal injury.
A concussion is a mild traumatic brain injury caused by a blow or jolt to the head. Treatment involves physical and cognitive rest followed by a gradual return-to-activity protocol supervised by a trained provider.
- ACL Reconstruction: Return to sport at 6 to 9 months with supervised rehabilitation.
- Meniscus Surgery: 4 to 6 weeks for partial meniscectomy; 3 to 4 months for full repair.
- Rotator Cuff Repair: Full throwing return at 6 to 9 months.
- Concussion: Most resolve in 7 to 14 days; some require longer supervised return-to-play protocols.
- Pain that limits your athletic performance or daily activity
- An injury that does not improve with rest within 1 to 2 weeks
- Joint instability, catching, or locking during movement
- A head injury or suspected concussion during activity
- Recurring injuries in the same area