Sports Medicine & Sports Injury Care in Northern Virginia
Specialized orthopedic care for athletes and active people with acute injuries, overuse conditions, joint and tendon problems, and other activity-related concerns—with nonsurgical treatment, surgery, and rehabilitation when appropriate.
Sports Medicine at a Glance
Patients: Competitive athletes, recreational athletes, active adults, and young athletes
Common Injuries: Sprains, strains, ligament injuries, meniscus tears, tendon problems, fractures, dislocations, cartilage injuries, and overuse conditions
Common Areas: Knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, hand/wrist, foot, and ankle
Treatment: Nonsurgical care whenever appropriate, including physical therapy, activity modification, bracing, medication, and selected injections
Surgery: Arthroscopic, reconstructive, cartilage-restoration, and other procedures when the injury requires surgical treatment
Adult Sports Medicine Specialists: Matthew H. Griffith, MD, and David S. Goodwin, MD
Pediatric Sports Injuries: Candice P. Holden, MD
Locations: Sterling and South Riding, Virginia
Goal: Restore strength, motion, stability, and function and help patients return safely to the activities they enjoy
What Is Sports Medicine?
Sports medicine focuses on the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of injuries related to sports, exercise, and other physical activity.
You do not need to be a professional athlete to benefit from sports medicine.
Our patients include competitive athletes, weekend athletes, runners, cyclists, golfers, recreational exercisers, active adults, and people who simply want to return safely to the activities they enjoy.
Sports injuries may happen suddenly during one event or develop gradually after repeated stress.
The first step is determining what structure is injured and how significantly the problem is affecting strength, motion, stability, and function.
At Arthritis & Sports Orthopaedics, treatment may range from physical therapy and activity modification to injections, arthroscopic surgery, reconstruction, cartilage restoration, or another procedure depending on the diagnosis.
What Types of Sports Injuries Do We Treat?
Sports and exercise can affect almost any part of the musculoskeletal system.
Some injuries involve muscles or tendons, while others affect bones, ligaments, cartilage, or joints.
Sprains & Ligament Injuries
A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn.
Common sports-related ligament injuries include ankle sprains and ligament injuries involving the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and other joints.
The severity can range from a mild stretch to a complete tear that causes significant instability.
Treatment depends on the ligament involved, degree of injury, joint stability, age, activity demands, and long-term goals.
Muscle Strains
Muscle strains can occur when a muscle is overstretched or torn during sprinting, jumping, lifting, changing direction, or another demanding activity.
Common areas include the hamstrings, quadriceps, calf, groin, and other muscle groups.
Treatment may include temporary activity modification followed by progressive mobility, strength, and return-to-activity training.
Tendon Injuries & Tendinopathy
Tendons connect muscles to bones and experience repeated loading during sports and exercise.
Problems may develop gradually through repetitive activity or occur suddenly during an acute injury.
Examples include rotator cuff problems, tennis elbow, patellar tendon conditions, Achilles tendon problems, and other activity-related tendon injuries.
Treatment depends on whether the problem involves irritation, chronic tendon changes, partial tearing, or complete rupture.
Fractures
Sports injuries can result in fractures after a fall, collision, direct impact, twisting injury, or repetitive stress.
Treatment depends on the bone involved, fracture pattern, alignment, stability, and age of the patient.
Some fractures can be treated with immobilization, while others require surgery.
Dislocations & Joint Instability
A dislocation occurs when the normal surfaces of a joint are forced out of position.
The shoulder is particularly vulnerable to sports-related instability, but dislocations and instability can affect other joints.
Repeated instability may indicate damage to ligaments, cartilage, or other stabilizing structures.
Meniscus & Cartilage Injuries
The meniscus and articular cartilage within the knee can be injured during twisting, pivoting, contact, or other athletic movements.
Symptoms may include pain, swelling, catching, locking, or difficulty returning to sport.
Some injuries can be treated without surgery, while others may benefit from arthroscopic repair or another procedure.
Overuse Injuries
Not every sports injury happens during one dramatic event.
Overuse injuries develop when repeated loading exceeds the body's ability to recover.
These can affect tendons, bones, muscles, growth plates, or joints.
Changing training load, addressing movement or strength limitations, and allowing adequate recovery may be important parts of treatment.
Where Is Your Sports Injury?
The right sports medicine specialist often depends on which part of the body is injured.
Knee Sports Injuries
The knee is especially vulnerable to injuries during running, jumping, cutting, pivoting, contact sports, and sudden changes in direction.
Common problems include:
ACL and other ligament injuries
meniscus tears
patellar instability
cartilage injuries
tendon problems
fractures
and overuse-related knee pain
Our knee specialists provide both nonsurgical treatment and arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery when appropriate.
Explore knee pain and sports injury care.
Shoulder Sports Injuries
Throwing, swimming, weightlifting, racquet sports, contact sports, and falls can all contribute to shoulder injuries.
Common problems include:
rotator cuff injuries
labral tears
shoulder instability and dislocations
biceps tendon injuries
AC joint injuries
and overuse conditions
Treatment may range from rehabilitation to arthroscopic repair or stabilization depending on the diagnosis.
Explore shoulder pain and sports injury care.
Hip Sports Injuries
Athletes may develop hip symptoms from acute injury, repetitive loading, impingement, labral injury, tendon problems, or conditions outside the joint.
Hip pain may occur in the groin, outside of the hip, buttock, or surrounding areas.
David S. Goodwin, MD, has specialized expertise in hip arthroscopy, hip preservation, and sports-related hip conditions.
Explore hip pain and sports injury care.
Elbow, Hand & Wrist Sports Injuries
Throwing, racquet sports, weightlifting, gymnastics, cycling, falls, and contact sports can cause injuries involving the elbow, wrist, and hand.
Examples include:
tennis and golfer's elbow
ligament injuries
fractures
tendon problems
wrist sprains
and traumatic hand injuries
Our upper-extremity specialists can determine whether treatment requires rehabilitation, splinting, injection, or surgery.
Explore hand, wrist and elbow care.
Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries
The foot and ankle absorb significant forces during running, jumping, cutting, and landing.
Common problems include:
ankle sprains
chronic ankle instability
Achilles tendon injuries
stress injuries
fractures
turf toe
plantar fascia problems
and other tendon or ligament injuries
Our foot and ankle team provides nonsurgical and surgical treatment based on the injury.
Explore foot and ankle sports injury care.
How Are Sports Injuries Diagnosed?
An accurate diagnosis is essential because different injuries can produce similar symptoms.
Your provider will ask how the injury happened, where symptoms occur, whether swelling developed, which movements are difficult, and what sport or activity you want to return to.
Physical Examination
Your sports medicine specialist may evaluate:
swelling and tenderness
range of motion
strength
joint stability
balance
movement patterns
and activities that reproduce symptoms
For some injuries, sport-specific movements may also help determine what is limiting performance.
X-Rays
X-rays are often used when a fracture, joint injury, arthritis, alignment problem, or another bone-related condition is suspected.
They do not show every tendon, ligament, or cartilage injury.
MRI, Ultrasound & Other Imaging
MRI may be recommended when additional information about ligaments, cartilage, tendons, muscles, or other soft tissues is needed.
Ultrasound can also be useful for selected tendon and soft-tissue conditions.
Advanced imaging is not automatically necessary for every sports injury.
Your provider will determine which tests are useful based on the history and examination.
Can Sports Injuries Be Treated Without Surgery?
Yes.
Many sports injuries can be successfully managed without surgery.
The treatment plan depends on the injury, its severity, the athlete's activity demands, and whether the joint or injured structure remains stable and functional.
Activity Modification
Temporarily modifying a painful activity can allow injured tissue to recover while limiting unnecessary loss of fitness.
This does not always mean complete rest.
Your provider may recommend alternative activities or modified training while recovery progresses.
Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation
Physical therapy is a major part of treatment for many sports injuries.
Rehabilitation may focus on:
restoring range of motion
rebuilding strength
improving balance and coordination
restoring joint stability
correcting movement limitations
improving running, jumping, or landing mechanics
and gradually progressing toward sport-specific activity
Arthritis & Sports provides sports and orthopedic rehabilitation at both our Sterling and South Riding physical therapy clinics.
Learn more about physical therapy at Arthritis & Sports.
Bracing, Splinting & Support
A brace, splint, or other supportive device may help protect an injured area or improve stability during recovery.
The appropriate device depends on the diagnosis.
Some athletes may require temporary support only, while others may use a brace during a gradual return to sport.
Medication
Medication may be appropriate for selected sports injuries as part of a broader treatment plan.
The choice depends on the diagnosis, medical history, other medications, and potential risks.
Medication should not be used simply to mask significant pain so that an athlete can continue competing on an injury that requires rest or treatment.
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections may have a role in selected musculoskeletal conditions.
They are not appropriate for every sports injury, and they do not repair torn ligaments, tendons, or cartilage.
Your physician can determine whether an injection is reasonable based on the specific diagnosis.
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
PRP may be considered for selected tendon conditions, sports-medicine problems, and certain other musculoskeletal diagnoses.
Evidence varies significantly by condition.
PRP should not be presented as a treatment that automatically accelerates healing or eliminates the need for surgery.
Our dedicated PRP resource explains candidacy, evidence, procedure details, risks, and recovery.
Learn more about platelet-rich plasma injections.
Other Non-Surgical Orthopedic Treatments
Depending on the diagnosis, additional nonsurgical options may include condition-specific procedures, custom orthotics, hand splinting, or other treatments.
The appropriate treatment should be selected after the injury is diagnosed rather than choosing a procedure simply because it is available.
Explore our non-surgical orthopedic treatments.
When Does a Sports Injury Need Surgery?
Not every sports injury requires an operation.
Surgery may be considered when:
a ligament or tendon is completely torn and unlikely to function adequately without repair;
a joint remains significantly unstable;
a fracture requires surgical fixation;
cartilage or meniscus damage produces persistent mechanical symptoms;
an injury cannot heal adequately in its current position;
or appropriate nonsurgical care has not restored enough function.
The decision also depends on age, sport, position, competition level, health, timing, and long-term goals.
Meeting with an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon does not automatically mean surgery will be recommended.
Arthroscopic Sports Medicine Surgery
Arthroscopy allows an orthopedic surgeon to evaluate and treat selected joint problems through small incisions using a camera and specialized instruments.
Depending on the joint and injury, arthroscopic procedures may be used for certain:
meniscus injuries
ligament problems
cartilage injuries
rotator cuff tears
labral tears
shoulder instability
elbow conditions
and hip injuries
The fact that a procedure is arthroscopic does not mean every injury has a rapid or easy recovery.
Rehabilitation remains important after many arthroscopic operations.
ACL & Knee Ligament Reconstruction
Significant ACL and other knee-ligament injuries can cause instability during cutting, pivoting, and other athletic movements.
Some athletes with complete ligament injuries may benefit from surgical reconstruction depending on their age, instability, sport demands, associated injuries, and goals.
Return to sport requires more than simply waiting for the reconstructed ligament to heal.
Strength, movement quality, stability, confidence, and sport-specific function all matter.
Meniscus Surgery
Some meniscus tears can be treated without surgery.
When surgery is appropriate, preserving healthy meniscus tissue is generally desirable when the tear pattern and tissue allow repair.
Other tears may require removal of an unstable damaged portion.
The appropriate treatment depends on tear location, pattern, tissue quality, associated injuries, age, and symptoms.
Shoulder Stabilization & Rotator Cuff Surgery
Athletes with recurrent shoulder instability, certain labral tears, significant rotator cuff injuries, or other structural shoulder problems may require surgery.
The procedure depends on the injured structures and the demands placed on the shoulder.
Learn more about shoulder care.
Cartilage Restoration & Joint Preservation
Cartilage injuries can be particularly challenging in active patients.
Joint-preservation procedures may be considered for selected patients with focal cartilage damage when maintaining the natural joint is a treatment priority.
David S. Goodwin, MD, has specialized expertise in cartilage restoration and other joint-preservation techniques involving the knee and hip.
When Can I Return to Sports?
Return to sport should be based on recovery rather than a calendar alone.
Depending on the injury, an athlete may need to demonstrate:
adequate healing
comfortable range of motion
sufficient strength
joint stability
balance and control
ability to run, jump, cut, throw, or perform other sport-specific movements
and confidence using the injured area
The criteria differ significantly depending on whether the injury involved a fracture, ligament, tendon, muscle, cartilage, or another structure.
Returning before adequate recovery can increase the risk of reinjury or continued symptoms.
Your physician and physical therapist can help guide a gradual progression from rehabilitation to practice and eventually unrestricted competition.
What About Concussions?
A suspected concussion is different from a routine musculoskeletal sports injury and requires appropriate medical evaluation.
An athlete with a suspected concussion should be removed from play and should not return to the same day's activity.
Symptoms can include headache, dizziness, confusion, balance problems, nausea, visual changes, sensitivity to light or noise, memory difficulties, or simply feeling that something is not right.
Seek appropriate medical care rather than trying to play through possible concussion symptoms.
Which Arthritis & Sports Specialist Should I See for a Sports Injury?
The best specialist depends on the athlete's age and the area that is injured.
Matthew H. Griffith, MD — Sports Medicine, Shoulder, Elbow & Knee
Matthew H. Griffith, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery.
He treats athletic, traumatic, and degenerative conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, and knee and provides both nonsurgical treatment and arthroscopic or reconstructive surgery.
Dr. Griffith sees patients at our Sterling office.
David S. Goodwin, MD — Sports Medicine, Hip, Knee & Shoulder
David S. Goodwin, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in sports medicine.
He treats youth and adult sports injuries involving the hip, knee, and shoulder and has specialized expertise in arthroscopy, hip preservation, cartilage restoration, and joint-preservation techniques.
Dr. Goodwin sees patients at our South Riding office.
Candice P. Holden, MD — Pediatric Sports Injuries
Candice P. Holden, MD, is a board-certified pediatric orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in pediatric orthopaedics.
She evaluates sports injuries, fractures, growth plate injuries, overuse conditions, and other musculoskeletal problems in children and adolescents.
Dr. Holden sees patients in Sterling and South Riding.
Learn more about pediatric orthopaedics.
Elaine J. Ahillen, MD — Hand, Wrist & Upper-Extremity Sports Injuries
Elaine J. Ahillen, MD, is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon with fellowship training in both hand surgery and sports medicine.
She treats injuries involving the hand, wrist, elbow, and upper extremity at our Sterling office.
Sriya S. Babu, DPM, FACFAS — Foot & Ankle Sports Injuries
Sriya S. Babu, DPM, FACFAS, is a board-certified podiatric surgeon with advanced foot-and-ankle training.
She treats sports-related foot and ankle injuries, fractures, tendon and ligament problems, and other athletic conditions at our Sterling and South Riding offices.
Sports Medicine in Sterling & South Riding, Virginia
Arthritis & Sports provides sports medicine and sports-injury treatment at our orthopedic clinics in Sterling and South Riding, Virginia.
Our practice serves athletes and active patients throughout Loudoun County and Northern Virginia, including Sterling, Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston, Herndon, Chantilly, South Riding, Aldie, and surrounding communities.
Patients also have access to physical therapy and sports rehabilitation at both locations, allowing orthopedic treatment and rehabilitation to be coordinated within the same practice.
Visit our South Riding location.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Medicine
Do I have to be an athlete to see a sports medicine doctor?
No. Sports medicine physicians treat injuries related to movement and physical activity in competitive athletes as well as recreationally active people. You do not need to participate in organized sports.
When should I see a sports medicine doctor?
Consider evaluation when an injury causes significant swelling, instability, weakness, reduced motion, difficulty bearing weight, or symptoms that do not improve as expected. Persistent overuse pain or repeated injuries can also benefit from evaluation.
Do sports medicine doctors only treat injuries without surgery?
No. Orthopedic sports medicine surgeons are trained in both nonsurgical and surgical treatment. Many injuries are treated without surgery, while others may require arthroscopic, reconstructive, or other surgical care.
Do I need an MRI for a sports injury?
Not always. Diagnosis usually begins with your history and physical examination. X-rays, MRI, ultrasound, or another study may be ordered when the findings suggest that additional imaging would change the diagnosis or treatment plan.
Can physical therapy help a sports injury?
Yes. Physical therapy is an important treatment for many sports injuries and may be used as the primary treatment or as part of rehabilitation after surgery. The program should be tailored to the injury and the physical demands of the activity you want to return to.
Should I play through pain?
Persistent or worsening pain should not simply be ignored. Pain that changes your mechanics, causes limping, reduces strength or motion, or repeatedly returns with activity may indicate an injury that deserves evaluation.
How do I know when I can return to sports?
Persistent or worsening pain should not simply be ignored. only one consideration. Strength, motion, stability, movement quality, functional testing, symptoms, and the demands of your sport may also need to be considered.
Does a sports medicine appointment mean I will need surgery?
No. Many sports injuries can be treated nonsurgically. The purpose of the evaluation is to establish the diagnosis and determine which treatment offers the best balance of recovery, function, risk, and long-term health.
Schedule a Sports Medicine Appointment
If an injury is keeping you from training, competing, exercising, working, or enjoying your normal activities, an orthopedic sports medicine evaluation can help determine what is wrong and what treatment may help.
Our sports medicine team provides nonsurgical treatment, surgical care, and coordinated physical therapy for athletes and active patients throughout Northern Virginia.
Request an appointment at our Sterling or South Riding office.
