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Evaluation & Diagnosis | Treatment Options | Frequently Asked Questions
Medical Services
The Division of Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery provides comprehensive evaluation and operative and nonoperative treatment of athletic conditions. When nonsurgical measures have failed, our physicians are experts in the field of arthroscopic surgery and minimally invasive procedures to treat the full spectrum of sports injuries. Among the conditions/procedures provided:
Shoulder
- Arthroplasty (joint replacement) for degenerative joint disease
- Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears
- Arthroscopic stabilization of dislocations, subluxations
- Treatment for throwing-related shoulder injuries (labral tears, overuse injuries)
- Treatment for other shoulder conditions
Elbow
- Arthroscopic treatment of lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)
- Arthroscopic treatment of stiffness, degenerative disease
- Bicep tendon repair
- Ligament reconstruction for traumatic instability
- Treatment for throwing-related injuries (MUCL reconstruction, "Tommy John Surgery")
- Treatment for other elbow conditions
Knee
- Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction
- Arthroscopic PCL and multiligament knee reconstruction
- Arthroscopic repair of meniscus tears
- Arthroscopic stimulation and restoration of articular cartilage injuries
- Repair of tendon ruptures (patellar and quadricep)
- Treatment for other knee conditions
Ankle
- Arthroscopic treatment of ankle impingement
- Arthroscopic treatment of cartilage injuries
- Repair and rehabilitation of ligament injuries
- Treatment for other ankle conditions
Evaluation and Diagnosis
History and physical exam
The patient's symptoms will be thoroughly investigated through an in-depth medical history process. The physicians feel this is the essential part of determining what is troubling the patient, how it affects quality of life and what expectations the patient has regarding return to play/function. Due to our emphasis on this part of the evaluation process, each new patient complaint will require adequate time to gather the necessary information. Our physicians take the time to listen to the patient. We do not sacrifice quality of care for volume.
The physical exam is a vital part of assessing a sports medicine or shoulder injury. Not all injuries affect every patient in the same manner. The exam allows the physicians to determine both the diagnosis and extent of dysfunction. Depending upon the complexity of the injury, the physical exam process may require multiple exams for thorough assessment and diagnosis.
Plain radiographs
Generally speaking, a thorough sports medicine evaluation requires a series of plain radiographs (x-rays). Even if a patient has already had a set of films taken, there are times when we will request an additional set as special views may be required for completeness. All of the UF sports medicine clinics have x-ray equipment on site to prevent untimely delays.
Advanced imaging
Our physicians rely upon the history, exam and plain radiographs for diagnosis in the vast majority of cases. However, in some instances, advanced imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may be required for definitive diagnosis or presurgical planning. Our staff will arrange for and submit the necessary referral to obtain these studies. Our physicians are highly qualified to interpret these studies. They will take the time to provide in-depth discussions of the interpretations with each patient.
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Treatment Options
In-office procedures
Only in rare instances, aside from routine suture removal or aspiration, are office-based procedures performed. Cortisone injections are used sparingly as our physicians have found a lack of evidence to support their routine use in most sports-related diagnoses/conditions. We will incorporate viscosupplementation into the treatment regimen when clinically indicated. This involves an injection of hyaluronic acid into the joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial (joint) fluid. It acts as a lubricant to enable bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber.
Physical therapy
Physical therapy is a cornerstone of the rehabilitation of the injured athlete and shoulder injury patient. All UF sports clinics are within close proximity to the Shands Jacksonville physical therapy department. Our team of sports medicine physicians has a very close working relationship with the department, as well as many other private physical therapy services throughout the greater Jacksonville area. Our physicians and therapists have taken great efforts to study the current rehabilitation literature to develop evidence-based protocols for the rehabilitation of all sports and shoulder injuries. In addition, our physicians are clinical educators for a local school of physical therapy.
Surgical procedures
Our faculty is comprised of highly-trained specialists in the field of arthroscopic surgery, shoulder, elbow and ankle reconstruction. They are well versed in all cutting-edge techniques and employ them when clinically indicated and evidence based. Furthermore, our faculty is comprised of educators who train the surgeons of the future. Surgery is often indicated for many sports medicine and shoulder conditions/injuries. However, our physicians will inform each patient of all nonoperative and operative treatment alternatives available for a given condition or injury. Our physicians take the time to understand the patient as an individual to better advise him or her concerning what treatment alternative is the best option.
Continuation of care
Our physicians believe in following through on patient care. They will arrange for the necessary follow-up care to ensure that each patient has an optimal outcome.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do you see pediatric patients?
All athletes, regardless of age, are welcome for evaluation by our sports medicine specialists.
How long will my appointment take?
The length required for a thorough evaluation will vary from one patient to the next. In general, a patient with a new injury should expect the evaluation process to take approximately 30 minutes. The evaluation process for return a complaint typically requires 15 minutes to complete.
If I have already had x-rays, will I need new ones?
At times, even when a patient has had a set of films taken, we will request an additional set to be taken as special views may be required for completeness. If prior exams are beyond a certain date and the condition tends to be progressive in nature, our physicians also may ask for a new set of films. All of the UF sports medicine clinics have x-ray equipment on site to prevent untimely delays.
How long will I need physical therapy?
This will depend upon the circumstances. Physical therapy sessions for nonoperative conditions average six weeks with two sessions per week. Post-surgical therapy will vary, but often consists of three to four months of therapy with two sessions per week.
How long will it take for me to recover from surgery?
This will vary upon the surgical procedure and age and activity level of the patient. It can take as few as two weeks to up to a year in some cases.
How long will I be out of school or work after surgery?
This varies by the surgical procedure, age of the patient and physical demands of the job. It can take as few as several days to as long as several months to recover enough to return to school or work.
Do residents do the surgeries?
The attending surgeon is the primary surgeon, while residents are there to assist and learn. At no time are our residents unsupervised in surgery or clinic.
Where do you perform your surgeries?
More than 90 percent of sports medicine and shoulder procedures can be done in an outpatient basis. We operate at Medical Partners Surgical Center adjacent to our Emerson location and at Shands Jacksonville.
When can I go back to work?
Generally, you can return to work after your incision is healed and you are able to walk without pain. This is usually seven to ten days for desk jobs.
When can I apply weight?
For more extensive procedures of the foot and ankle (fusions, some fracture repairs, etc.), you may need to keep weight off and be in a protective cast for eight to ten weeks. Following some forms of bunion surgery and many forefoot procedures, you may be allowed to walk after surgery in a protective shoe.
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