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Sports Injuries

HSS is the #1 orthopedic hospital in the world and a national leader in rheumatology. This content was created by our physicians and experts.

While participating in sports and exercise is a great way to stay in shape, active athletes, whether they’re casual players, weekend warriors or pros, are at an increased risk of injury.

Sports medicine refers to the practice of treating athletic injuries – particularly those affecting the musculoskeletal system – and rehabilitating/conditioning athletes to perform to the best of their ability.

A physical therapist massaging an athlete's leg.

Common sports injuries and treatments

Certain sport activities are especially hard on the large joints, such as the knee, shoulder, and elbow. Baseball players – especially pitchers – use their arms to throw the ball at great velocity and are susceptible to shoulder and elbow injuries including:

Similarly, baseball, basketball, soccer and football players can frequently experience:

HSS has a long-standing culture of innovation in treating sports injuries. We have made pioneering contributions to ACL surgery, rotator cuff repair, shoulder stabilization, elbow arthroscopy, elbow ligament reconstruction such as Tommy John Surgery, cartilage procedures, patellofemoral stabilization and procedures, various sport-related hip operations and hip arthroscopy, and robotic surgery. 

For injuries affecting specific sports, view our conditions and treatments by sports.

Sports medicine at HSS

As a global leader in sports medicine, the world looks to us for breakthroughs that improve care of athletes everywhere. Dedicated to treating athletic injuries of the musculoskeletal system, with a special focus on shoulder, elbow, and knee injuries, the HSS Sports Medicine Institute is one of the largest, most active, most highly respected departments in athletic medicine today. Combined with the sports medicine centers available at HSS, such as the Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center and the Women’s Sports Medicine Center, the expertise available at HSS is unparalleled.  

Our sports medicine doctors and physical therapists serve as team physicians and athletic trainers for a number of high profile local teams including the New York Giants, New York Mets, New York Knicks, and the Brooklyn Nets to just name a few. The depth of their professional experience brings an elevated level of care to every patient that comes for treatment, regardless of their ability and activity level.

To learn more about the sports medicine services and treatments available at HSS, access the articles, audio clips, and video programs listed below.

Sports Injuries Success Stories