The Sports Medicine Service provides medical care to athletes and non-athletes of all ages, victims of work-related accidents and senior citizens.

Our doctors and rehabilitation therapists are nationally recognized for their expertise in managing athletic injuries, treating injuries of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle and foot. Our goal is to help people remain healthy and active their entire lives.

Our team of specialists includes some of the most prominent practitioners of arthroscopic surgery and complex joint shoulder, elbow, knee and ankle reconstructions in the US. We treat the full spectrum of sports-related and orthopaedic conditions, including:

• Achilles tendon injuries
• Ankle sprains
• Cartilage injuries in the knee (meniscus tears and articular cartilage defects)
• Golfer's elbow
• Ligament injuries to the knee (ACL, PCL, MCL & LCL injuries)
• Osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder or foot and ankle
• Peroneal tendon injuries
• Rotator cuff tears
• Shoulder instability
• Shoulder tendonitis and bursitis
• Tennis elbow
• Throwing injuries of the shoulder and elbow
• Torn ligaments
• Turf toe

Dr. Thomas Gill, Chief of the Sports Medicine Service, discusses a knee injury with a patient.

Our Sports Medicine Center is conveniently located at Mass General's main campus in downtown Boston. Services provided at our comprehensive facility include:

• One-on-one evaluation and treatment from our acclaimed orthopaedic specialists
• An experienced and highly skilled team of primary care physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and physiatrists
• State-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities with today's most advanced equipment
• Specialized programs for strength and conditioning, injury prevention and cardiovascular health
• In-house radiological services (e.g. X-rays, MRIs and CT scans)

Accessible Care from Recognized Experts in Sport Medicine

All our patients—athletes and non-athletes alike—receive the same outstanding and compassionate care from the country's leading sports medicine and orthopaedic professionals.

Our team of nationally renowned, board-certified specialists includes:

• Thomas Gill, IV, MD, Chief, Sports Medicine Service
• Peter Asnis, MD
• Eric Berkson, MD
• Arthur Boland, MD
• Kelly McInnis, DO
• Luke Oh, MD
• Dinesh Patel, MD
• George Theodore, MD
• Bertram Zarins, MD

The Hub of Sports Medicine Research

Our pioneering role in research dates back to 1921, when Augustus Thorndike, MD, the "father of sports medicine," joined Mass General. Dr. Thorndike's spirit lives on today through Mass General research breakthroughs such as:

• Innovations in arthroscopic surgery
• Robotic, 3D knee reconstruction
• Musculoskeletal tissue engineering

Arthritis

Arthritis and other rheumatic diseases are characterized by pain, swelling, and limited movement in joints and connective tissues in the body.

Avascular Necrosis

Avascular necrosis is a disease that may cause bone or joint collapse as a result of loss of blood supply to the bone due to injury or other causes (such as long-term use of certain medications).

Back and Neck Pain

Low back pain can range from mild, dull, annoying pain, to persistent, severe, disabling pain in the lower back that restrict mobility. Neck pain is pain that occurs in the area of the seven cervical vertebrae in the neck area.

Elbow Pain and Problems

Common elbow problems include the following: arthritis - common forms of arthritis, bursitis, fractures, and injury.

Fractures

A fracture is a partial or complete bone break. When a fracture occurs, it is classified as either open or closed.

Knee Pain and Problems

Many knee problems are a result of the aging process and continual wear and stress on the knee joint (i.e., arthritis). Other knee problems are a result of an injury or a sudden movement that strains the knee.

Lateral Epicondylitis (Tennis Elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis, also known as tennis elbow, is characterized by pain in the back side of the elbow and forearm, along the thumb side when the arm is alongside the body with the thumb turned away. The pain is caused by damage to the tendons that bend the wrist backward away from the palm.

Ligament Injuries to the Knee

Ligament injuries to the knee include injuries to one of the four knee ligaments (elastic bands of tissue that connect bones to each other).

Lumbar Disc Disease (Herniated Disc)

Lumbar disc disease occurs in the lumbar area of the spine. As discs degenerate, fragments of the disc material can press on the nerve roots located just behind the disc space, causing pain, numbness or changes in sensation.

Lumbar Strain (Weight Lifter's Back)

A lumbar strain is an injury to the lower back, which results in damaged tendons and muscles that spasm and feel sore.

Medial Epicondylitis (Golfers and Baseball Elbow)

Medial epicondylitis, also known as golfer's elbow, baseball elbow, suitcase elbow, or forehand tennis elbow, is characterized by pain from the elbow to the wrist on the palm side of the forearm.

Neck Pain

The neck is located between the head and the shoulders. Because of its location and range of motion, it is often left unprotected and subject to injury.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic, degenerative, joint disease characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilage and adjacent bone in the neck, lower back, knees, hips and/or fingers.

Patellar Tendonitis (Jumper's Knee)

Patellar tendonitis, also known as jumper’s knee, is a condition caused by inflammation of the tendon connecting the kneecap to the shin bone, often caused by overuse of the knee joint.

Patellofemoral Stress Syndrome (Runner's Knee)

Patellofemoral stress syndrome is a condition common among runners involving knee pain caused by irritation of the cartilage of the kneecap.

Rotator Cuff Injury

An injury to the rotator cuff, such as a tear, may happen suddenly when falling on an outstretched hand or develop over time due to repetitive activities.

Shoulder Dislocation

Dislocation of the shoulder means the displacement of the upper arm bone (humerus) out of the shoulder joint.

Soft-Tissue Injuries

Many activities can lead to soft-tissue damage of muscles, ligaments, and tendons.

Sprains and Strains

The majority of sports injuries are caused by minor trauma involving muscles, ligaments, and/or tendons, including contusions (bruises), sprains and strains.

Torn Meniscus

Meniscus tears can occur during a rotating movement while bearing weight, such as when twisting the upper leg while the foot stays in one place during sports and other activities.

The following related clinical trials and research studies are currently seeking participants at Massachusetts General Hospital. Search for clinical trials and studies in another area of interest.

Read more news and events from the Sports Medicine Service

Collaborating for a new health care center

MGH's Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Services at the new Brigham and Women's/Mass General Health Care Center at Patriot Place, a multispecialty ambulatory health care center in Foxboro, opened Feb. 2

Athletes and concussions: Knowing the ImPACT

Concussions are common injuries in young athletes. Despite the inherent dangers, however, they often go undiagnosed. To better monitor and enable proper treatment of concussions, staff at the Sports Medicine Service at Mass General are sponsoring new, innovative diagnostic software known as "ImPACT."

Young Pitchers and Injuries: Throwing Overboard

Athletes, even Little Leaguers, are often accustomed to expecting some type of injury or discomfort from their sport, but that doesn’t have to be the case. Physicians at Massachusetts General Hospital’s Sports Medicine Service explore how trauma injuries—like strains, sprains and overuse—can be avoided.

Life as a Red Sox team physician

The Sports Medicine Service at Massachusetts General Hospital provides comprehensive treatment and rehabilitation to injured recreational, amateur and professional athletes—and non-athletes—at all levels of activity.

One man's medical care journey at the MGH allows him to run the marathon

Running a marathon was Alfred Buccilli's dream growing up in Revere, Mass.

MGH honors pioneer in arthroscopic surgery

MGH Hotline 07.02.10 Dinesh G. Patel, MD, chief of MGH Arthroscopic Surgery, is widely recognized as a world pioneer in the field of arthroscopic surgery -- a minimally invasive procedure that uses an endoscope and specially designed surgical instruments to examine and treat damage to a joint.

Sports medicine experience

MGH Hotline 08.06.10 Only weeks after the dedication of the Dinesh G. Patel, MD, Arthroscopy Learning Laboratory, the lab’s resources are already being put to good use.

MGH hosts president of Latvia

MGH Hotline 10.08.10 Hundreds of clinical and research fellows train at the MGH each year and go on to achieve great things in their careers. One former fellow, who trained in the MGH Department of Orthopaedic Surgery in the early 1990s, is the current President of the Republic of Latvia Valdis Zatlers.

Racing for the cure

MGH Hotline 10.08.10 Nearly 6,000 runners and walkers participated in the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Boston on Sept. 25.

Mass General Hospital Physicians make “The List”

Boston Magazine recognizes 134 MGH physicians on its annual list of top doctors in the Boston area.

Sports Medicine

Phone: 617-726-7500

Sports Medicine Service

Phone: 617-726-7500

Sports Medicine Surgeons

	Thomas J. Gill, IV, MD Chief, Sports Medicine Service ph: 617-726-7797 fax: 617-726-6950 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston		Peter Asnis, MD Sports Medicine ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston
	Eric Berkson, MD Sports Medicine ph: 508-718-4035 fax: 508-718-4036 20 Patriot Place, Foxborough		Arthur Boland, MD Orthopaedic Consultant, Sports Medicine ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston
	Kelly McInnis, MD Physiatrist ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston		Luke Oh, MD Sports Medicine; Shoulder, Elbow, Knee ph: 508-718-4358 fax: 508-718-4354 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston 20 Patriot Place, Foxborough
	Dinesh Patel, MD Chief, Arthroscopic Surgery ph: 617-726-3555 fax: 617-726-5349 Yawkey, Suite 3G, Boston		George Theodore, MD Director, Foot & Ankle Sports Medicine ph: 617-724-7009 fax: 617-643-1006 175 Cambridge Street, Boston
	Bertram Zarins, MD Sports Medicine ph: 617-726-3421 fax: 617-726-3438 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston

Shoulder Surgeons on the Sports Medicine Service Team

Thomas F. Holovacs, MD Shoulder ph: 617-726-0298 fax: 617-726-0620 Yawkey, Suite 3G, Boston

Jon J.P. Warner, MD Chief, Shoulder Service ph: 617-724-7300 fax: 617-724-3846 Yawkey, Suite 3G, Boston

Advanced Practitioners

	Sheryl Hassett, RN Nurse ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston		Sean Hazzard, PA-C Physicians Assistant ph: 617-643-0803 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston
	Marilyn Maguire, NP Nurse Practitioner Inpatient		Brian Petrone, PA-C Physicians Assistant ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston
	Deirdre Shea, NP Nurse Practitioner ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston		Scott Waugh, PT, ATC Clinical Director, Sports Medicine ph: 617-726-7500 fax: 617-643-2030 175 Cambridge Street, Floor 4, Boston