Sports Medicine

Orthopedics

We recognize that weekend warriors deserve the same level of medical attention as professional athletes. That’s why we offer world-class sports medicine services. We’ll get you back to your favorite activity quickly and safely.

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Sports medicine services: Why choose us?

BJC HealthCare works with Washington University physicians, BJC Medical Group, and providers across the region to deliver extraordinary care. Any injury can be devastating when you enjoy an active lifestyle. We can help, whether you’ve suffered an on-field injury or pain is keeping you from fully participating in everyday activities. We offer:

  • Expertise: Orthopedists with advanced training in sports medicine guide your care. You also have access to specialists in hand and wrist, shoulder and elbow, hip and knee, and foot and ankle conditions. We are at the leading edge of sports medicine care helping people with complex injuries get back in the game.
  • Elite-level sports medicine: We are the team doctors for the NHL’s St. Louis Blues and the St. Louis CITY SC. We also prevent and treat injuries at the high school and college levels. You can expect the same high-quality care we provide these teams.
  • Team mindset: Sports medicine doctors collaborate with physiatrists (physical medicine doctors), physical therapists, athletic trainers and rehabilitation specialists. We coordinate all the services you need so you have a seamless experience.
  • Easy access: You won’t have to wait long to feel better when you're hurt. Some of our specialists offer virtual visits. They are also available in after-hours orthopedic injury clinics. We see patients age 5 and older with concerns such as sprains, strains, dislocations and fractures.
Conditions we treat

Common sports-related conditions we treat include:

  • Achilles tendonitis
    The thick band of tissue connecting the calf muscle and heel bone gets injured or becomes inflamed.
  • ACL tear
    Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is a band of tissue that helps stabilize the knee joint. ACL tears commonly happen during sports that involve jumping or sudden stops and pivots, like basketball, soccer and skiing.
  • Bursitis
    Fluid-filled sacs (bursae) that cushion your muscles and tendons become swollen. It occurs when repetitive motions irritate the bursae.
  • Golfer's elbow
    Repetitive twisting motions in the finger and wrist cause Inflammation and small tendon tears on the inner part of the elbow.
  • Labral tears
    A tear in the ring of cartilage along the outer rim of the hip or shoulder joint. It may be due to congenital issues, repetitive motions or trauma.
  • Plantar fasciitis
    Inflammation and unusual tightness develop in the thick band tissue connecting the heel to the toes. It's a common cause of heel pain.
  • Tennis elbow
    Repetitive motions cause inflammation and small tears in the tendons near the forearm. It causes pain on the outside of the elbow.
  • Throwing injuries
    Shoulder and elbow injuries, like bursitis, ligament tears and tendonitis, occur with activities requiring regular throwing.
Related conditions
  • ACL tear
  • Achilles tendonitis
  • Bursitis
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Tennis elbow
Non-surgical sports medicine treatments

Physical therapy is a common non-surgical treatment for sports-related injuries. Here, you have access to special gyms, some with designated areas for running and throwing. Learn more about physical medicine and physical therapy.

Additional sports medicine services include:

  • Aquatic therapy
    Doing exercises in water takes pressure off painful joints so you can get moving earlier in your recovery. Avaialble at select locations.
  • Custom splints and adaptive devices
    These devices fit the unique shape of your body. They hold the affected area in a position that provides support and relieves strain.
  • Therapeutic injections
    We inject drugs or other substances directly into your area of concern, which can speed healing. Real-time imaging helps deliver them with precision.
  • Therapeutic massage
    Licensed massage therapists help loosen stiff tissue, which increases blood flow to injured areas and promotes healing.

Sports injury surgeries we perform

Depending on the sports injury, our sports medicine specialists may recommend surgical treatment. Our team has decades of experience and excel in complex procedures like multi-ligament knee repair. We often use minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy to aid in an athlete’s rapid recovery and return to mobility.

Types of sports injury surgery we offer include:

  • Achilles tendon repair
    We reconnect torn tendons. We may remove damaged tissue if there is wear and tear. Sometimes, we replace the tendon with a new one.
  • Cartilage repair
    Surgeons use a variety of techniques to restore healthy cartilage. These techniques include making small cuts in nearby bones to stimulate new tissue development.
  • Knee ligament reconstruction
    We replace torn or damaged knee ligaments with healthy tissue from elsewhere in your body. Sometimes donor tissue is used.
  • Plantar fasciitis release surgery
    Experts make small cuts in the band of tissue that runs from the heel to the toes. Or, they may place incisions in one of the two calf muscles.
  • Shoulder instability repair
    We use a variety of techniques to stabilize your joint, like tightening ligaments, fixing worn-down bones or repairing cartilage tears.
  • Tennis elbow surgery
    Surgeons remove damaged parts of the elbow tendon and strengthen the remaining tissue with stitches.
  • Tommy John surgery
    We replace torn elbow ligaments from throwing injuries with healthy tissue from other areas of the body. Also known as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction.
Sports Medicine News & Resources

Schedule your appointment

Call  (314) 362-9355  or  (800) 392-0936  to schedule your appointment with a specialist.

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