Injuries related to recreational activities are common reasons for referral to a Sutter orthopedic surgeon. While all Sutter orthopedic surgeons see patients with sports-related injuries, there are several orthopedic surgeons who have undergone additional training or have a practice focus in sports medicine. Many Sutter orthopedic specialists serve as team physicians for groups that include the Sacramento River Cats, U.S. Ski Team, Sacramento Capitals professional tennis team, Sacramento City College, UC Davis, and other schools and teams throughout the region.

According to the American Society of Orthopedic Sports Medicine, sports medicine specialists "are physicians helping weekend warriors cope with the effects of aging...team doctors ensuring health and safety at all levels of sport...[and] researchers working to help athletes prevent and manage injury." Sutter orthopedic sports medicine specialists focus on joint, bone and muscle health, providing athletes with preventive care, such as recommending safety equipment, joint braces and other orthotic devices to preserve the patient's health. When an injury happens, sports medicine surgeons specialize in determining the most effective and least invasive approach to care that will get their patients back into the game in top form. Several Sutter sports medicine physicians utilize non-operative techniques to treat joint pain, including advanced injection techniques, acupuncture and osteopathic manipulation.

Find Out More

Patients generally receive referrals from their primary care doctors to an orthopedic sports medicine specialist. To self-refer or learn more about orthopedic sports medicine surgeons, go to the Physician & Practitioner Directory and select Sports Medicine from the drop-down menu under Physician Specialties. Clicking on a physician's name opens a profile, which offers more insight into the physician's areas of concentration.