Orthopedic Sports Medicine: Restoring Motion, Strength, and Performance

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health — but it also increases your risk of injury. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a fitness enthusiast, or a competitive athlete, sports-related injuries can happen suddenly or develop gradually from overuse.

At New York Orthopedics, our orthopedic sports medicine specialists diagnose and treat all types of athletic injuries, helping patients recover quickly and return to the activities they love.

If you haven’t already, check out our full guide: What Is Orthopedic Sports Medicine?

1. ACL Tears and Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are among the most common sports-related conditions. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilize the knee during cutting and pivoting motions — movements common in soccer, basketball, skiing, and football.

Symptoms include:

  • A popping sound at injury
  • Immediate swelling and instability
  • Difficulty bearing weight

Treatment options:

  • Nonoperative: Bracing, physical therapy, and rehabilitation for partial tears or low-demand athletes
  • Surgical: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a tendon graft to restore stability and performance

At New York Orthopedics, our sports surgeons use minimally invasive ACL reconstruction techniques that promote faster healing and reduce downtime.

2. Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injuries

Keywords: rotator cuff tear NYC, shoulder impingement, shoulder pain from throwing, orthopedic shoulder specialist Manhattan

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Injuries often result from overhead sports like tennis, baseball, and swimming.

Symptoms include:

  • Shoulder pain or weakness
  • Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm
  • Night pain or limited range of motion

Treatment options:

  • Conservative: Rest, anti-inflammatory therapy, and targeted physical therapy
  • Surgical: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair or labrum repair for complete tears or persistent pain

Early diagnosis prevents long-term shoulder stiffness and degenerative changes.

3. Ankle Sprains and Achilles Injuries

Keywords: ankle sprain treatment NYC, Achilles tendon rupture, ankle injury recovery, sports injury foot Manhattan

Ankle sprains and Achilles tendon injuries are extremely common, especially in runners and court-sport athletes.

Symptoms include:

  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness
  • Difficulty pushing off or walking
  • A “snap” sensation in Achilles rupture cases

Treatment options:

  • Nonoperative: RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), bracing, and physical therapy
  • Operative: Tendon repair or reconstruction for complete Achilles ruptures

New York Orthopedics offers ultrasound-guided evaluation and accelerated rehab protocols to restore strength and stability efficiently.

4. Tennis Elbow and Overuse Injuries

Keywords: tennis elbow treatment NYC, golfer’s elbow, overuse sports injury, elbow pain Manhattan orthopedic

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) are overuse injuries caused by repetitive arm and wrist motion. Despite their names, they affect athletes in many sports — as well as individuals who type or lift regularly.

Symptoms include:

  • Pain and tenderness around the elbow
  • Weak grip or pain with wrist movement
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning

Treatment options:

  • Non-surgical: Physical therapy, rest, bracing, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections
  • Surgical: Tendon debridement or repair in persistent, severe cases

Our team focuses on regenerative medicine and minimally invasive techniques to shorten recovery and reduce recurrence.

5. Cartilage and Meniscus Injuries

Keywords: meniscus tear treatment, cartilage injury repair, knee arthroscopy NYC, orthopedic sports surgeon Manhattan

The meniscus and joint cartilage are critical for shock absorption and smooth knee motion. These structures can be damaged by twisting injuries or degeneration over time.

Symptoms include:

  • Clicking, locking, or catching of the knee
  • Swelling and limited motion
  • Pain with bending or weight-bearing

Treatment options:

  • Nonoperative: Activity modification, physical therapy, and injections
  • Surgical: Arthroscopic meniscus repair, debridement, or transplantation; cartilage restoration procedures for athletes with focal defects

Preserving natural tissue is always our top priority — especially for young, active patients.

Getting Back in the Game: The Recovery Process

Keywords: sports injury recovery NYC, physical therapy Manhattan, return-to-play program

Recovery is more than just healing — it’s about regaining strength, stability, and confidence.
At New York Orthopedics, every patient receives a customized rehabilitation plan developed by our sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers.

Our integrated care model ensures a safe, efficient, and lasting return to activity — whether your goal is competition or pain-free movement.

Expert Sports Injury Care in Manhattan

At New York Orthopedics, we treat athletes and active individuals of all ages — from high school players to weekend fitness enthusiasts.
Our specialists combine advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatments, and compassionate care to help you recover quickly and completely.

Locations: Midtown Manhattan | Upper East Side | Westchester

Orthopedic Sports Medicine: Restoring Motion, Strength, and Performance

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health — but it also increases your risk of injury. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a fitness enthusiast, or a competitive athlete, sports-related injuries can happen suddenly or develop gradually from overuse.

By
Dr. Sameh Elguizaoui, M.D.
,
on
June 25, 2025

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health — but it also increases your risk of injury. Whether you’re a weekend warrior, a fitness enthusiast, or a competitive athlete, sports-related injuries can happen suddenly or develop gradually from overuse.

At New York Orthopedics, our orthopedic sports medicine specialists diagnose and treat all types of athletic injuries, helping patients recover quickly and return to the activities they love.

If you haven’t already, check out our full guide: What Is Orthopedic Sports Medicine?

1. ACL Tears and Knee Injuries

Knee injuries are among the most common sports-related conditions. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilize the knee during cutting and pivoting motions — movements common in soccer, basketball, skiing, and football.

Symptoms include:

  • A popping sound at injury
  • Immediate swelling and instability
  • Difficulty bearing weight

Treatment options:

  • Nonoperative: Bracing, physical therapy, and rehabilitation for partial tears or low-demand athletes
  • Surgical: Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using a tendon graft to restore stability and performance

At New York Orthopedics, our sports surgeons use minimally invasive ACL reconstruction techniques that promote faster healing and reduce downtime.

2. Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Injuries

Keywords: rotator cuff tear NYC, shoulder impingement, shoulder pain from throwing, orthopedic shoulder specialist Manhattan

The rotator cuff is a group of four muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder joint. Injuries often result from overhead sports like tennis, baseball, and swimming.

Symptoms include:

  • Shoulder pain or weakness
  • Difficulty lifting or rotating the arm
  • Night pain or limited range of motion

Treatment options:

  • Conservative: Rest, anti-inflammatory therapy, and targeted physical therapy
  • Surgical: Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair or labrum repair for complete tears or persistent pain

Early diagnosis prevents long-term shoulder stiffness and degenerative changes.

3. Ankle Sprains and Achilles Injuries

Keywords: ankle sprain treatment NYC, Achilles tendon rupture, ankle injury recovery, sports injury foot Manhattan

Ankle sprains and Achilles tendon injuries are extremely common, especially in runners and court-sport athletes.

Symptoms include:

  • Swelling, bruising, or tenderness
  • Difficulty pushing off or walking
  • A “snap” sensation in Achilles rupture cases

Treatment options:

  • Nonoperative: RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), bracing, and physical therapy
  • Operative: Tendon repair or reconstruction for complete Achilles ruptures

New York Orthopedics offers ultrasound-guided evaluation and accelerated rehab protocols to restore strength and stability efficiently.

4. Tennis Elbow and Overuse Injuries

Keywords: tennis elbow treatment NYC, golfer’s elbow, overuse sports injury, elbow pain Manhattan orthopedic

Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer’s elbow) are overuse injuries caused by repetitive arm and wrist motion. Despite their names, they affect athletes in many sports — as well as individuals who type or lift regularly.

Symptoms include:

  • Pain and tenderness around the elbow
  • Weak grip or pain with wrist movement
  • Stiffness, especially in the morning

Treatment options:

  • Non-surgical: Physical therapy, rest, bracing, and PRP (platelet-rich plasma) injections
  • Surgical: Tendon debridement or repair in persistent, severe cases

Our team focuses on regenerative medicine and minimally invasive techniques to shorten recovery and reduce recurrence.

5. Cartilage and Meniscus Injuries

Keywords: meniscus tear treatment, cartilage injury repair, knee arthroscopy NYC, orthopedic sports surgeon Manhattan

The meniscus and joint cartilage are critical for shock absorption and smooth knee motion. These structures can be damaged by twisting injuries or degeneration over time.

Symptoms include:

  • Clicking, locking, or catching of the knee
  • Swelling and limited motion
  • Pain with bending or weight-bearing

Treatment options:

  • Nonoperative: Activity modification, physical therapy, and injections
  • Surgical: Arthroscopic meniscus repair, debridement, or transplantation; cartilage restoration procedures for athletes with focal defects

Preserving natural tissue is always our top priority — especially for young, active patients.

Getting Back in the Game: The Recovery Process

Keywords: sports injury recovery NYC, physical therapy Manhattan, return-to-play program

Recovery is more than just healing — it’s about regaining strength, stability, and confidence.
At New York Orthopedics, every patient receives a customized rehabilitation plan developed by our sports medicine physicians, physical therapists, and athletic trainers.

Our integrated care model ensures a safe, efficient, and lasting return to activity — whether your goal is competition or pain-free movement.

Expert Sports Injury Care in Manhattan

At New York Orthopedics, we treat athletes and active individuals of all ages — from high school players to weekend fitness enthusiasts.
Our specialists combine advanced diagnostics, evidence-based treatments, and compassionate care to help you recover quickly and completely.

Locations: Midtown Manhattan | Upper East Side | Westchester