Sports Medicine
Knee pain? Hamstring strain? When pain or an injury strikes, you deserve the best possible care so you can get back to your normal activities, ache-free – whether that’s gardening or running marathons.
The sports medicine doctors at Atrium Health Musculoskeletal Institute are renowned for their nonsurgical treatments and internationally recognized for their expertise. They offer advanced care to people of all ages and activity levels for a wide range of injuries and conditions involving the musculoskeletal system (the bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and other connective tissue).
And when you receive our care, you get more than just injury-specific treatment. Our doctors take the time to get to know you and treat the whole you, considering your lifestyle, your goals, and the rest of your body that may be impacted by your injury or condition. This approach leads to maximum healing and a fuller recovery.
Same-day appointments available.
Why choose us for sports medicine care?
- Preferred by athletes: As the official health care partner and team doctors of 90+ sports teams, we’re trusted to care for more athletes, from youth to pro, than any other provider in the region. We provide personalized care for each individual athlete based on their specific injury, sport, and goals.
- Advanced treatments: We provide the latest sports medicine treatments, supported by evidence-based research. For example, we’re the first in the region to offer ultrasound-guided regenerative medicine procedures, which promote tissue repair and pain reduction.
- Leading expertise: We are board-certified doctors who are fellowship-trained in sports medicine and interventional pain medicine with extensive expertise in this specialized field. Renowned for our innovative nonsurgical treatments, we are often asked to share our knowledge with doctors across the Southeast and are regularly named in Charlotte Magazine’s esteemed Top Doctors list.
- Innovative research: We pioneer major technology and treatment advances through research to bring you the best care. Much of our research is focused on regenerative medicine, and we lead clinical trials to stay at the forefront of this exciting field.
- Care across specialties: We work closely with other specialists at Atrium Health to provide comprehensive care for all aspects of your health. So if, for example, you need sports cardiology or neuropsychology care, we’ll connect you to the right specialist and stay involved throughout your treatment journey.
Get the region's best orthopedic care
We’re home to the Charlotte region’s best and only nationally ranked orthopedic and rehabilitation care for both adults and children by U.S. News & World Report:
- Atrium Health's Carolinas Medical Center, nationally ranked (top 50) in orthopedics and best in Greater Charlotte
- Atrium Health Levine Children's Hospital, nationally ranked (top 50) in pediatric orthopedics and the No. 1 children's hospital in North Carolina
- Atrium Health Carolinas Rehabilitation, named a Best Hospital for rehabilitation in the Southeast and top 15 in the country
- Carolina Center for Specialty Surgery, named a Best Ambulatory Surgery Center for Orthopedics & Spine, and top ranked in North Carolina
Injuries and conditions treated
We treat musculoskeletal injuries and conditions caused by age, everyday activities, work-related movements, competitive sports, intense workouts and more.
- Pediatric sports injuries, like little league elbow and spondylolysis
- Concussions
- ACL tears and other torn ligaments
- Joint pain, like ankle pain and knee pain
- Elbow pain, from conditions like golfer’s elbow and tennis elbow
- Hand and wrist pain
- Shoulder pain and throwing injuries, like rotator cuff tears
- Foot pain, including plantar fasciitis
- Sprains and strains
- Fractures
- Arthritis, including osteoarthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Lower back pain
- Neck pain
- Repetitive use injuries, like carpal tunnel and tendinitis
- Work-related injuries
Treatments and procedures
We offer complete sports medicine care, from diagnosis to treatment to follow-up care.
- Repair and reconstruction
- Arthroscopy
- Injections, including joints, trigger points, back and neck
- Rehabilitation, including physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy
- Sports performance, including injury recovery and return-to-play
- Orthobiologics, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prolotherapy, bone marrow aspirate and lipo-aspirate procedures
- Electromyography (EMG), including nerve conduction studies
- Gait analysis
- Casts and splints
- Custom orthotics
- Ultrasound
- Xray
- Low-Dose Radiation Therapy (LDRT)
Sports Partnerships
We take care of athletes at all levels, from those in recreational sports to high school students to pros in the Carolinas and beyond. They rely on us to provide them with the best sports medicine care on the sidelines, in the athletic training room and in our facilities.
We are the official health care provider for the:
We also care for the athletic programs at the following colleges:
And we’re proud to partner with NC and SC high schools and are committed to keeping student-athletes safe on the field, on the court and in everyday life. Our athletic trainers and doctors provide preventative services, clinical diagnoses, sports injury treatments and more:
Interested in event medicine support?
See why our patients choose Atrium Health
Our Providers
Meet our providers and find the one for you. Use the filters to narrow your search.
We specialize in the surgical and nonsurgical treatment of injuries and conditions involving the musculoskeletal system (the bones, muscles, cartilage, tendons, ligaments, joints and other connective tissue). We also take care of medical conditions or injuries common in athletics, such as concussions, heat-related illnesses and performance issues.
Our goal is to treat the injury or condition and then guide patients through the recovery process, minimizing disability, maximizing function and decreasing time away from sports, work or school. Our treatments include traditional as well as the latest approaches.
The main benefits of sports medicine care include:
- Injury prevention: We evaluate risk factors and provide preventive strategies to minimize injuries during physical activities.
- Accurate diagnosis: We use advanced imaging technologies and techniques to pinpoint the extent and nature of injuries, leading to successful treatments.
- Effective treatments: Our personalized treatment plans are designed to optimize recovery, improve function and elevate sports or activity experiences.
- Performance optimization: We develop personalized training plans to help athletes and active individuals reach their full potential.
- Comprehensive care: We address the physical as well as the mental and nutritional aspects to enhance overall health and quality of life.
No. We treat people of all ages, at all activity levels, from children and active seniors to professional athletes and industrial workers. We provide highly personalized treatment plans so you can get back to being physically active and pain-free – whether you’re a weightlifter or a “baby-lifter.”
No. Sports medicine covers a wider range of care, including advanced treatment, performance enhancement and medical coverage for athletes, while physical therapy specifically focuses on rehabilitation and improving function through targeted exercises and therapies.