Direct Answer: Sports medicine is the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and conditions affecting athletes and active adults, from overuse injuries and tendinopathy to acute musculoskeletal problems. At Dr. Tortland's practice, sports medicine follows a diagnosis-first, surgery-last philosophy: identify the tissue causing the problem, understand why it happened, and build a realistic treatment and return-to-activity plan.
Sports Medicine at This Practice
Dr. Tortland is dual board-certified in Sports Medicine & OMM and Regenerative Medicine. He has more than 30 years of sports medicine experience and has served as a team physician for the U.S. Figure Skating Association at international competitions and the University of Hartford's NCAA Division I athletics program for more than 20 years.
Evaluation may include history, examination, existing imaging, and live diagnostic musculoskeletal ultrasound when it can clarify the source of symptoms.
Common Sports and Overuse Injuries
- Tendinopathy and partial-thickness tendon injuries
- Ligament and muscle injuries
- Runner's knee and patellofemoral pain
- IT band syndrome
- Plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinopathy
- Shoulder and rotator cuff problems
- Joint pain and osteoarthritis affecting active adults
- Selected peripheral nerve problems
Many sports injuries can be treated without surgery. Treatment may include activity modification, rehabilitation, physical therapy, strength and mobility work, training-load changes, and image-guided procedures when appropriate.
Where PRP and Orthobiologics Fit
PRP and other orthobiologics may have a role in selected chronic tendon, ligament, muscle, or joint conditions. They are not shortcuts around healing. Return-to-play still depends on tissue healing, rehabilitation, progressive loading, and sport-specific criteria.
Dr. Tortland has practiced orthobiologic medicine since 2007 and was the first physician in the world board certified in Regenerative Medicine in 2015.
Return-to-Play Planning
Returning to sport is a process, not a date. The plan depends on the injured tissue, severity, symptoms, strength, range of motion, sport-specific demands, and response to progressive loading.
When Surgery May Need to Be Considered
Non-surgical care is not appropriate for every injury. Complete tears, fractures, significant instability, and other structural problems may require surgical evaluation. A diagnosis-first approach means being willing to recommend surgery when the anatomy indicates that it is appropriate.
Dr. Tortland's Perspective
I have spent more than three decades working with athletes and active adults. My goal is not to keep someone out of their activity unnecessarily, but I also will not promise a shortcut that the tissue cannot safely take.
Validate – Investigate – Regenerate. That philosophy applies whether the answer is physical therapy, activity modification, an image-guided orthobiologic treatment, or surgical referral.
Looking for care for a sports injury? Start with Conditions & Treatment Options to find the relevant patient-facing pathway.