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Los Angeles Orthopedic

Sports Medicine Specialists in Los Angeles for Active Adults & Athletes

Whether you’re a competitive athlete, weekend warrior, or just someone who enjoys staying active, sports medicine at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists offers expert care focused on the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of injuries related to physical activity.

Los Angeles orthopedic specialist evaluating a patient for sports medicine specialists — LAOSS board-certified care across eight LA offices
Live · Now Accepting

Experts in sports medicine care.

Surgical and non-surgical options at LAOSS.

15+
Years caring
Same-day appointments
Often available
★★★★★
4.9 · 7,500+ reviews

Common sports medicine concerns we treat

  • Pain that limits walking, lifting, or sleep
  • Stiffness, swelling, or reduced range of motion
  • Sports injuries — acute or overuse
  • Arthritis or post-traumatic joint changes
  • Conditions other doctors couldn't resolve

What sets LAOSS apart

  • Same- or next-day appointments at eight Los Angeles–area offices
  • On-site imaging; PT coordinated with your in-network provider
  • Conservative-first care, surgery only when needed
  • Board-certified specialists, not generalists
Key takeaways
  • Sports injuries include ACL/meniscus tears, rotator cuff tears, ankle sprains, tendonitis, and overuse conditions.
  • Our sports medicine specialists work with weekend warriors, student athletes, and competitive amateur and professional athletes.
  • Return-to-play timelines built around your specific injury and activity demands.
  • Same-day evaluation for acute sports injuries; coordinated PT with your in-network provider.
Overview

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is the orthopedic sub-specialty focused on injuries from movement — the cuts, twists, falls, and overuse that come from running, lifting, jumping, contact sports, and weekend-warrior weekends. The body areas are the same (knee, shoulder, hip, ankle, elbow), but the questions are different: how do I get back to my sport, how soon, and how do we prevent re-injury?

LAOSS sports-medicine surgeons are fellowship-trained in arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction (ACL, MCL, UCL), cartilage repair, rotator cuff repair, and meniscus surgery. We see athletes from weekend warriors through competitive collegiate and pro players — the diagnosis is the same, the return-to-play plan is what we customize.

Patient education

Watch: Arthroscopy (Overview)

If you have a joint problem, your surgeon may want to try arthroscopy. This lets your surgeon see inside your joint with a small, thin camera called an "arthroscope." It can be used on any joint, but let's see it in the knee.

Animations licensed from ViewMedica · Swarm Interactive

About this care

Who Should See a Sports Medicine Doctor?

Sports medicine isn’t just for professional athletes; it’s for anyone who wants to stay active, recover safely, and keep doing what they love. We care for patients at every level of activity, tailoring treatment plans to your goals, lifestyle, and recovery timeline.

Our team works with:

Whether on the sidelines or in the clinic, our priority is the same: to help athletes and active people of all ages return to sports safely, with strength, confidence, and long-term joint health in mind.

About this care

Comprehensive Sports Medicine Care at LAOSS

Our sports medicine care starts with listening. When you come in for an evaluation, our team takes time to understand your injury, activity goals, and any concerns you have. We perform a thorough assessment, often including onsite imaging like X-rays, and walk you through your diagnosis in clear, straightforward language. From there, we create a personalized treatment plan, starting with the most conservative, non-surgical options whenever possible.

Whether your path to recovery involves physical therapy, bracing, injections, or surgery, you’ll know exactly what to expect. Our goal is to make your care feel seamless, supportive, and focused on getting you safely back to what you love.

What Types of Sports Injuries Do We Treat?

Whether your injury happened suddenly or developed over time, our sports medicine specialists are equipped to diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions. Below are some of the most common injuries we see and treat:

Upper Body Injuries

  • Rotator cuff strains & tears
  • Shoulder instability
  • Tennis elbow & golfer’s elbow
  • Finger and hand injuries
  • Wrist sprains

Lower Body Injuries

  • Hamstring, quad, and calf strains
  • Knee injuries (ACL, MCL, PCL, meniscus tears)
  • Patellar tendon injuries
  • Ankle sprains
  • Achilles tendon injuries

General/Multi-Sport Injuries

Call us today or schedule an appointment online to meet with one of our sports medicine specialists.

  • Overuse injuries
  • Stress fractures
  • Contusions
  • Muscle strains
  • Sprains & soft-tissue trauma

Sports Medicine Procedures & Treatments We Provide

At LAOSS, we offer a full spectrum of sports medicine treatments. From personalized physical therapy and non-surgical care to advanced surgical procedures and performance-focused recovery programs, all treatments are designed to support your return to activity safely and confidently.

Injury Treatment

  • We treat sprains, strains, fractures, ligament tears, tendon injuries, and overuse conditions with evidence-based, precision care.
  • Treatments range from physical therapy and bracing to advanced surgical options, ensuring each patient receives the right care at the right time for safe, effective recovery.

Preventative Programs

  • We offer proactive sports medicine programs to help prevent injuries before they happen.

Rehabilitation Services

  • Our rehabilitation services are built around close collaboration between your LAOSS physician and your in-network physical therapy team.
  • We focus on restoring mobility, rebuilding strength, improving biomechanics, and guiding a safe, confident return to activity.

Regenerative Medicine

  • Regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections support healing in tendon injuries, muscle strains, ligament sprains, and post-surgical recovery.
  • As part of our conservative-first approach, PRP is a non-surgical, cash-pay option to enhance the body’s natural healing process and promote long-term recovery when appropriate.

Surgical Interventions

  • When injuries require surgical care, we provide advanced, minimally invasive procedures performed by orthopedic surgeons specializing in sports-related conditions.
About this care

When To Seek Sports Medicine Treatment

If you’ve been injured or are dealing with persistent pain, knowing when to see a specialist can make all the difference. We encourage patients to seek a sports medicine evaluation when:

Getting care early is vital because it helps prevent further damage and supports a smoother recovery. You can always call us to check appointment availability, and we’ll help guide you through the next steps, including referrals if your insurance requires one.

About this care

Proactive Measures: Preventing Sports Injuries & Staying Active Safely

Staying active is one of the best things you can do for your health, and preventing injuries helps you keep moving confidently. We believe that smart preparation and simple habits can go a long way in protecting your joints, muscles, and long-term mobility. Here are five practical ways to help prevent common sports injuries:

Your care team

Meet Our Orthopedic Sports Medicine Providers

At LAOSS, our sports medicine program is led by our specialist team, who bring decades of orthopedic expertise to patient care. They work closely with dedicated physician assistants — and coordinated physical therapy in your insurance network — to ensure every patient receives coordinated, personalized care.

About this care

Get Expert Sports Medicine Care & Start Healing Today

Our team at LAOSS combines specialized sports medicine expertise with the full support of experienced orthopedic surgeons working alongside your in-network physical therapy team to deliver comprehensive care for athletes and active individuals of all ages. Our evidence-based, conservative-first approach means you’ll get the right treatment for your injury without unnecessary delays or procedures. With in-network physical therapy partnerships, onsite imaging, and personalized care plans, we’re equipped to guide you from diagnosis through recovery, all coordinated by the LAOSS team.

We know your time matters. That’s why we offer faster access than large hospital systems, with same-day or 24–48-hour appointments often available at our Los Angeles (East Los Angeles – Wabash), Tarzana, and Glendale locations. If you’re dealing with a sports injury or ongoing pain, take the next step toward getting back to what you love with LAOSS.

Insurance We Accept

Surgeon expertise

Why experience matters.

Why experience matters

Sports Medicine care is highly technique-dependent. Volume, training, and judgment together determine the outcome you actually feel six months later.

  • Precise diagnosis from imaging and exam
  • Conservative-first care that avoids unnecessary surgery
  • Surgical technique refined over thousands of cases
  • On-site imaging + coordinated PT through your in-network provider

The LAOSS approach

Our sports medicine specialists move stepwise — start with the least-invasive option that fits your situation, escalate only when it doesn't.

  • Same-day imaging at most offices
  • PT coordinated in your insurance network
  • Board-certified surgeons performing the procedures themselves
  • Direct access to your specialist between visits
Candidacy

Am I a candidate?

If most of these match your situation, an evaluation with a sports medicine specialist is the next step.

You may be

You may be a candidate if

These signs typically point toward an in-person evaluation with a sports medicine specialist.

  • Pain or stiffness in the sports medicine that lasts more than a few days
  • Swelling, instability, or noticeable change in function
  • Symptoms that limit walking, lifting, sleep, or work
  • Previous treatment that didn't fully resolve the problem
  • Imaging or exam findings that suggest an underlying issue
Evaluation

What evaluation includes

Your first visit is built to give you an answer the same day, not just another referral.

  • Detailed history — onset, mechanism, what makes it better or worse
  • Hands-on exam focused on the affected joint or region
  • On-site imaging at most offices (X-ray, ultrasound)
  • Clear plan with options ranging from conservative to surgical
  • Same-day or next-day scheduling for any follow-up tests
ImportantSeek urgent evaluation for sudden severe pain, numbness, progressive weakness, loss of bowel or bladder control, or any sign of infection (fever, increasing redness or swelling).
Recovery

Your return-to-play roadmap.

Recovery is rarely a straight line — but a clear plan with measurable milestones makes the path predictable.

01Days 0–14

Right after care

In the first two weeks we focus on protecting the sports medicine, calming inflammation, and restoring basic motion.

  • Activity modification with clear do/don't guidance
  • Ice, elevation, and pain control as needed
  • Gentle range-of-motion within safe limits
  • Follow-up scheduled to track healing
02Weeks 2–8

Rehabilitation

Targeted physical therapy rebuilds strength, mobility, and confidence in the sports medicine.

  • Progressive strengthening and neuromuscular work
  • Manual therapy and soft-tissue treatment
  • Sport- or job-specific movement re-training
  • Coordinated PT through your in-network provider
03Months 2+

Long-term care

Once function is restored, the focus shifts to keeping you there — and catching any recurrence early.

  • Return-to-activity plan with measured benchmarks
  • Home program tailored to your sport or job
  • Maintenance visits or imaging if symptoms change
  • Direct line back to your specialist if needed
Risks & considerations

What to weigh before you decide.

We talk through the risks and benefits with every patient — informed consent is a conversation, not a form.

General

General considerations

Every orthopedic intervention carries a small set of standard risks. We screen, prepare, and monitor for these on every patient.

  • Infection (rare with modern technique and prophylaxis)
  • Bleeding or bruising at the treatment site
  • Reaction to anesthesia or medications
  • Need for additional procedures in some cases
Specific

Sports Medicine-specific considerations

Some risks are tied to the structures we're treating in the sports medicine. We discuss these in detail at your visit so you can weigh them against the benefits.

  • Temporary stiffness or weakness during recovery
  • Incomplete pain relief in a small percentage of cases
  • Nerve or vessel irritation near the treatment area
  • Need for follow-up therapy to fully restore function
Patient reviews

What patients say about us.

★★★★★4.97,500+ Google reviews
Wonderful staff. The MA was so kind to my elderly mom and the doctor explained everything twice so she'd remember. Felt like we were treated like family.
Patricia Aguilar
Cerritos, CA · 6 January 2025
Explore related care

Find care by body area.

Jump to a nearby condition page and compare treatment paths across the body.

FAQ

Sports Medicine FAQs: Your Most Important Questions Answered

  • At LAOSS, we take a conservative approach to treating injuries; most soft-tissue issues, sprains, and overuse conditions heal well with non-surgical care like physical therapy, bracing, or PRP. Surgery is only recommended for severe injuries like torn ligaments or unstable fractures.
  • During your visit, you’ll check in and discuss your injury, followed by on-site X-rays if needed. You’ll be evaluated by our specialist team or our specialist team, receive a clear diagnosis, and begin a personalized treatment plan.
  • Yes! You don’t have to be an athlete to receive care at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists. Sports medicine simply means treating injuries to muscles, bones, joints, and soft tissues. We help active adults, weekend warriors, and anyone recovering from sprains, strains, or overuse injuries, even from daily activities.
  • It’s normal to want to stay active, but whether you can safely exercise with an injury depends on its type and severity. Some conditions improve with modified activity, while others need rest. Avoid pushing through sharp pain or swelling. Our team can evaluate your injury quickly and guide a safe return to movement.
Ready when you are

Don't wait on pain.

Book a visit with a sports medicine specialist at any of our eight Los Angeles–area offices.

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21 specialists · 8 offices
Greater Los Angeles
On-site X-raySame visit
Most insurers acceptedIn-network
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