Sports-Related Injuries

We know how important your activities are to you. Whether you are training for a marathon, participating in a team sport, or enjoying bicycle riding or hiking on a weekend, sports injuries can take the wind out of your sails. No matter what your level of participation is, the sports medicine rehabilitation specialists at NewYork-Presbyterian understand your desire to get back to the activities you love, and work closely with you to help you achieve your personal best. Whether your injury is due to an accident, overuse, or poor technique, we will get you back on the court, the field, the trail, or wherever your activities may take you.

Our Team Is Your Team

Your rehabilitation team is led by board-certified sports medicine and rehabilitation medicine physicians (physiatrists) who collaborate as part of an integrated team that includes physical therapists, occupational therapists, recreation therapists, exercise physiologists, nurses, and others who work together to carefully assess you and tailor a plan of care designed just for you. They have specialty training in sports medicine and apply their expertise and experience to help you get better and return to your sport. We care for people of all ages and from all walks of life—from professional athletes to weekend warriors.

An Accurate Diagnosis

Our physiatrists are highly skilled experts in the use of diagnostic ultrasound, which we can use during an office visit in addition to a physical exam. Based on the results of the scan, we can make a diagnosis then or order additional tests, such as an MRI or CT scan, to make an accurate diagnosis—the first and most important step in your care.

Get Better without Surgery

Most of our patients undergo physical therapy and learn how to modify their activities and their technique to minimize pain and prevent injuries. Our physicians may also prescribe medications and injections to reduce pain and improve function. Throughout your treatment, our healthcare providers take time to get to know you and your goals so they can provide the best care possible, regardless of your level of sport participation.

Our Sports Medicine Rehabilitation Services

We provide services at a variety of convenient locations in New York City and surrounding communities. Your care may include one or more of these approaches, depending on your injury:

Physical therapy. Physical therapists are experts in the way the human body moves. They use a variety of techniques to help you get moving, reduce your pain, restore your function, and prevent disability. Many of our physical therapists are certified by the American Physical Therapy Association as orthopedic clinical specialists. Your physical therapist will show you what to do during each session, but it is important for you to do “homework” exercises to fully benefit from the treatment.

Occupational therapy. Occupational therapists help you relearn the skills of daily living, such as taking care of yourself, getting dressed, writing, regaining balance and coordination, and using supportive equipment. If your sport requires fine-motor skills, you may benefit from the expertise of an occupational therapist. You will receive guidance on exercises you can do at home to ensure you receive the full benefit of your therapy.

Medications and injections. In addition to medications that can relieve pain and inflammation, your doctor will let you know if you may benefit from injections into an affected area. Our physiatrists are skilled in the use of injections of corticosteroids (such as cortisone) and other medications, guided with ultrasound to ensure accurate placement, to improve function and reduce pain.

Regenerative therapies. We offer regenerative therapies for sports injuries, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and placental growth factors (AmnioFix), which promote the body’s own healing abilities. We are specialists in the use of these regenerative treatments for chronic tendon, ligament, muscle, and joint injuries, and are actively evaluating their use in people with sports injuries.

Special Services for Armory Track Athletes

For more than a century, the Armory on West 168th Street has been the home of indoor track and field in New York City. Through a historic collaboration between the Armory, NewYork-Presbyterian, and ColumbiaDoctors Orthopedics and Rehabilitation Medicine, people of all ages have facilitated access to the world’s best injury prevention and treatment and performance optimization services from our sports medicine specialists. Whether you come to us for injury prevention or treatment, we’ll connect you with the sports medicine specialists you need. Learn more about Armory Track services.

Personalized Running Evaluation

The Columbia RunLab offers comprehensive running analysis for Olympic, elite, competitive, and recreational runners. We analyze your running style and patterns of movement as you run on a treadmill in our lab. We conduct a thorough evaluation of your body’s mechanics, assess your nutritional status and overall health history, and provide you with customized guidance to improve your running and your overall fitness. Learn more about the Columbia RunLab.

Sports Medicine Fellowship

NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia’s Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine offers a one-year Sports Medicine Fellowship in a rich academic and clinical environment. The training program includes a sports medicine didactic schedule in conjunction with orthopedic surgery, hands-on training for primary care issues in sports medicine, and pre-participation, training room, sideline, and mass-event coverage. The program models the requirements determined by the American Academy of Family Practice RRC requirements for fellowship training in sports medicine. Learn more about the sports medicine fellowship.