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While many people assume Sports Medicine is the care of just high level athletes, it really is the treatment of any patient with injuries involving a major joint, namely the shoulder, elbow, knee, and ankle. These injuries can occur from athletic endeavors to military duties, or even simple repetitive household or work activities. That said, a sports medicine patient can vary from a young little league baseball player or gymnast, to a high-level high-school, college, or pro athlete, to even a grandparent that wants to play tennis or enjoy the grandkids.

Our newest orthopedist, Dr. Scott Tucker brings unique experience to this emerging specialty. To learn more about his background in Sports Medicine, check out his Bio here.

Areas of focus

At Jefferson Orthopedic Clinic, we prefer to treat injuries with non-invasive procedures, like physical therapy or injections. However, some will require surgery. Here is a list of our most common surgical procedures and treatments.

Rotator cuff repair
The rotator cuff is a series of muscles around your shoulder. These can be injured from falls or throwing a ball but can also happen spontaneously without injury. A complete tear usually requires surgery, partial or incomplete tears may not — and can often be treated with therapy or injections.
Labral Tear
This a tear in the “bumper” cartilage that keeps the shoulder in its socket. Tears most often occur from a throwing injury but can also occur from a fall. These usually will require surgical repair.
Biceps Injury
Biceps tendon can be torn or partially torn — often as a result of lifting weights. These can require reattachment surgeries – called Biceps tenodesis — especially in younger patients.
AC Joint (Acromio-Clavicular) Injury
Also known as a separated shoulder, this often occurs from falls onto the shoulder, causing a separation of the collar bone (clavicle) from the shoulder. This can be treated with or without surgery depending on the age of the patient and severity of injury.
Collar Bone Fracture
This break in the bone may or may not require surgery depending on the severity of the injury. Most fractures occur from falls or hits to the shoulder.
Torn Meniscus
The meniscus is the thin cartilage in-between the femur and the tibia. This cushioning can often get twisted and torn during soccer or football games. Burning pain will frequently occur on the inside or outside of the joint. This will usually require surgery to repair the torn portion.
ACL/PCL Injury
Tears and sprains of the Anterior Cruciate or Posterior Cruciate are common knee injuries. These ligament injuries often happen during sports that involve sudden stops or changes in direction. This injury usually requires surgery to stabilize the knee.
Knee Cap (Patella) Injury
A dislocation or fracture can occur from falling on the knee causing severe pain around the knee cap. This requires immediate medical attention – and, frequently, surgery.
Tennis Elbow:
Inflammation or, in some cases, micro-tearing of the tendons that join the forearm muscles on the outside of the elbow.
This pain is caused from overuse — repeating the same motions again and again (like a backhand swing in tennis). It usually requires physical therapy or Cortizone injections, and, in rare cases, surgery.
Rupture of Bicep Tendon
This is a sharp pain in the front of the elbow usually caused from lifting heavy objects. Frequently requires surgical repair of the torn tendon.
Torn Elbow Ligament
Pain on the inside of the elbow from throwing. This condition is frequently seen in baseball pitchers due to their repeated throwing motion. “Tommy John Surgery” is often used to repair or reconstruct the ligament in serious cases.
Achilles Injuries
This pain in the back of the ankle usually occurs from running and jumping activities. Surgery is often required for a torn Achilles tendon, whereas Achilles tendonitis is treated non- operatively.
Sprained Ankle
This usually requires rest and immobilization with braces or splints. Rarely requires surgery.
Fractured Ankle
This broken bone requires immediate medical attention. Depending on severity, could require surgery or bracing.