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Comprehensive Care for Athletes and Active Individuals
Primary Care Sports Medicine Specialists are physicians with advanced training in diagnosing, treating, and preventing orthopedic and sports-related injuries. MemorialCare Medical Group’s sports medicine services include non-operative treatments for musculoskeletal problems such as sprains, muscle strains, fractures, tendonitis, osteoarthritis and more.
Our specialists promote healthy lifestyle choices and provide guidance on nutrition, supplements and ergogenic aids to help enhance your physical performance. They also use ultrasound and minimally invasive techniques to help diagnose injuries and reduce pain.
Whether you’re an athlete, returning to activity, or trying to stay active at any age, our goal is to help your body perform at its highest potential.
Why Choose Our Sports Medicine Team?
Board-Certified Experts
All of our Sports Medicine physicians are CAQSM-certified (Certificate of Added Qualifications in Sports Medicine). This advanced certification reflects specialized training that extends beyond primary care, focusing on the evaluation, treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal injuries and movement-related conditions.
CAQSM-certified physicians complete additional fellowship training and rigorous board examinations, ensuring a high level of expertise in non-surgical orthopedic care, injury prevention, and performance optimization. This specialized background allows our physicians to deliver precise diagnoses, evidence-based treatment plans, and advanced procedural care.
Personalized, Non-Surgical Treatments
We specialize in non-operative solutions for musculoskeletal conditions, including sprains, muscle strains, fractures, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis.
Ultrasound-Guided Procedures
Our specialists use real-time ultrasound guidance for every procedure, allowing precise visualization of tissues and structures. This technology enables immediate, in-office imaging for accurate assessments and tailored treatment plans.
Natural Healing Options
Seeking natural, regenerative options? We offer orthobiologic therapies, including Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy, using your own plasma to reduce inflammation, promote healing, and improve function. PRP is especially beneficial for chronic musculoskeletal conditions and is recommended when traditional therapies aren’t enough or when patients prefer a natural approach.
Who We Help
Sports Medicine at MemorialCare Medical Group is for everyone, not just athletes. We care for competitive and recreational athletes, as well as individuals who want to move better, stay active, or alleviate pain. Our specialists treat people of all ages and activity levels, including those who:
- Want to begin exercising safely
- Experience joint, tendon, or muscle pain
- Are recovering from injuries (sports-related or otherwise)
- Have arthritis or overuse conditions
- Simply want to stay healthy and mobile
Our goal is to help your body perform at its highest potential, whether you’re returning to activity or maintaining an active lifestyle.
Advanced Sports Medicine Services
Ultrasound-Guided Care
Every procedure completed by our specialists utilizes real-time ultrasound guidance, allowing them to clearly visualize the target tissues and surrounding structures throughout the entire process. This enhances precision, comfort and safety, ensuring each treatment is performed exactly where it is needed.
Ultrasound offers immediate, in-office imaging, enabling our specialists to make more accurate assessments and tailor treatment plans more effectively.
Orthobiologic Treatments & Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy
We offer orthobiologic therapies designed to support the body’s own healing process. These treatments use biologic materials, including plasma taken directly from a patient, to help reduce inflammation, promote tissue repair and improve function.
One of the most common options we provide is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy. PRP is created from a concentrated sample of a patient’s own blood, which is rich in growth factors that signal injured tissues to repair and regenerate. This minimally invasive approach can be beneficial for many musculoskeletal conditions.
Orthobiologic treatments may be recommended when traditional therapies, such as physical therapy, medications or corticosteroid injections, are not providing sufficient relief or when patients prefer a more natural regenerative approach. Our specialists evaluate each patient individually to determine whether PRP or other biologic options may be appropriate.
Commonly Treated Conditions
Sacroiliac Joint Dysfunction - when the sacroiliac joint (in the lower back) loses its ability to move correctly.
- Arthritis - when one or more of the joints in the hands, wrists or elbows experience gradual degeneration.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - when the median nerve in the carpal tunnel of the wrist becomes compressed, causing numbness, tingling and weakness in the thumb and fingers.
- De Quervain’s Tenosynovitis - swelling or pinching of the tendons that run along the thumb side of the wrist and attach to the base of the thumb.
- Gamekeeper’s Thumb - when the inner ligament at the base of the thumb (ulnar collateral ligament) is injured.
- Golfer’s Elbow - when the tendons that connect the forearm muscles to the bone rub on the inside of the elbow.
- Mallet Finger - an injury to the end of the finger, causing the tip to bend.
- Olecranon Bursitis - when the fluid-filled sac, or bursa, at the tip of the elbow becomes inflamed.
- Tennis Elbow - swelling of the tendons that bend the wrist backward away from the palm.
- Trigger Finger - when a finger or thumb gets stuck in a bent position, as if squeezing a trigger.
- Wrist Sprains - when the strong ligaments that support the wrist stretch beyond their limits or tear.
- Achilles Tendinopathy - pain or irritation in the tissue that connects the calf muscle to the heel (Achilles tendon).
- Ankle Sprains - when the ankle ligaments are torn or stretched too far.
- Arthritis - when the cartilage in the foot or ankle joints breaks down and causes bones to rub together. Metatarsophalangeal or tibiotalar joints are most commonly affected.
- Metatarsalgia - pain and inflammation in the ball of the foot.
- Peroneal Tendon Injuries - injuries that affect one or both of the peroneal tendons (strong bands of tissue connect muscles) in the foot.
- Pes Planus - also known as flatfoot, when the arches on the inside of the feet flatten when pressure is put on them.
- Plantar Fasciitis - inflammation of the fibrous tissue (plantar fascia) along the bottom of the foot that connects the heel bone to the toes.
- Posterior Tibial Tendon Dysfunction - a condition caused by changes in the foot tendon, impairing its ability to support the arch.
- Arthritis - when the cartilage in the hip joint breaks down and causes bones to rub together.
- Femoroacetabular Impingement - when extra bone grows along one or both of the bones that form the hip joint, causing an irregular shape.
- Gluteus Medius/Minimus Tendinopathy (Greater Trochanteric Pain Syndrome, or GTPS) - irritation of a tendon on the side of the hip.
- Piriformis Syndrome - when the piriformis muscle (in the buttock region) spasms and causes pain.
- Trochanteric Bursitis - when the trochanteric bursa around the hip becomes inflamed.
- Arthritis - when the cartilage in the knee joint breaks down and causes bones to rub together.
- Effusions - when excess fluid collects in or around the knee joint.
- Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) - when the iliotibial band tendon gets irritated or swollen from rubbing against the hip or knee bones.
- Ligament Injuries - a sprain or tear in one of the major knee ligaments.
- Patellar Tendinopathy - a condition characterized by pain of the patellar tendon (also known as jumper’s knee).
- Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome - pain in the front of the knee and around the patella (kneecap).
- Pes Anserine Bursitis - when the bursa next to the knee joint becomes irritated and produces too much fluid.
- Popliteal (Baker) Cysts - small, fluid-filled lumps that can form on the back of the knee.
- Acromioclavicular (AC) Separation - injury to the acromioclavicular joint, the area where the collarbone meets the highest point of the shoulder blade.
- Arthritis - when the cartilage in the shoulder joint breaks down and causes bones to rub together.
- Bursitis - painful inflammation in the bursae (small, fluid-filled sacs) that cushion spaces in your shoulder.
- Calcific Tendinopathy - when calcium deposits form in the shoulder’s tendons or muscles.
- Dislocation - when something pushes the bones in the shoulder joint out of their usual place.
- Frozen Shoulder - when the muscles around the shoulder joint thicken and contract, causing stiffness.
- Impingement Syndrome - when a tendon inside the shoulder swells and rubs against tissue or bone, causing pain when lifting an arm.
- Rotator Cuff & Biceps Tendinopathy - irritation of the tendon that connects the biceps muscle to the shoulder joint.
- Rotator Cuff Tendinopathy & Injuries - pain and swelling of the cuff tendons and the surrounding bursa.
Meet our Primary Care Sports Medicine Physicians
Locations Offering Sports Medicine
Frequently Asked Questions
Staying safe while being active is all about smart preparation and healthy habits. Here are several effective strategies to reduce your chances of getting hurt:
- Start with a warm-up, such as a gentle stretch or light activity.
- Use helmets, pads and other protective gear.
- Engage in regular exercise to help build overall strength and flexibility.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Study and use the correct form and techniques for your chosen sport.
Don't overdo it. Pay attention to your body's signals and take breaks as needed.
Most sports medicine doctors do not perform surgery. They focus on non-surgical treatments, like guided injections. If surgery is needed, you’ll be referred to an orthopedic surgeon, who may use minimally invasive techniques for faster recovery.
An acute sports injury happens suddenly, often from a single event like a fall or collision, and causes immediate pain and swelling. A chronic sports injury develops over time due to repetitive motion or overuse, leading to ongoing discomfort and limited function.
You should contact your sports medicine provider if you are unable to walk, stand, or perform daily activities, or if your injury isn’t improving or worsens after one to two weeks of home care. Visit an urgent care facility if your doctor is unavailable and you need prompt attention.
For severe injuries, seek emergency care or call 911 if you experience:
- Head injury with dizziness, nausea, or vision changes
- Loss of consciousness
- Trouble breathing or chest pain
- A bone sticking out of the skin
- Numbness in arms or legs after a back or neck injury
- Severe swelling or bleeding that won’t stop
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy uses a concentrated sample of your own blood to promote healing and tissue regeneration for musculoskeletal injuries.
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Located throughout Orange County and Los Angeles County, MemorialCare-affiliated physicians are locally and nationally recognized in their area of expertise. We've made it easy to find a quality healthcare provider right in your own backyard.