Finding the right first academic sports medicine job is a complex undertaking. There are a number of factors that go into the decision, including finding the job opening, limited regional availability, various academic affiliations, and organizational nuances, as well as payment structures. This article details the many facets of academic sports medicine that make up a position and can greatly affect surgeon workflow, productivity, and overall happiness ..read more

Over half of orthopedic surgeons will change jobs prior to their fifth year in practice. Commonly cited reasons behind the change include compensation, work–life balance, poor job fit, and dissatisfaction with management. Many of these factors are difficult to vet as a job applicant and are often only realized during the course of real-life practice. Possessing the tools and knowledge for effective self-reflection is crucial. It enables a clear understanding of why the current job may not be working and provides insights on how to transition to a different career path ..read more

Complications and poor outcomes are an inevitable part of sports medicine surgery. When building a practice, dealing with complications can be overwhelming and difficult to overcome. Establishing strong and transparent surgeon-patient relationships built on open communication and realistic expectations is fundamental to preemptive management of poor outcomes. When a complication occurs, careful action and appropriate treatment are imperative to ensure the best possible outcome. Patients who trust their surgeons are less likely to pursue medicolegal action. A complication can lead to self-doubt ..read more

Finding the right first job is a product of hard work through self-evaluation and thorough understanding of the process. It requires the guidance of mentors and understanding the goals you are seeking within a career. In private practice, the business aspects of medicine play an instrumental role in being successful ..read more

Being a team physician is a unique opportunity afforded to orthopedic surgeons or medical doctors who have undergone appropriate subspecialty training and certification. Requirements include specialized skill and expertise in diagnosing and treating various medical and musculoskeletal conditions in the acute sideline setting in addition to the standard clinical setting, and furthermore requires, excellent communication and the ability to coordinate care among a curated care team. Those strongly desiring to be a team physician should seek employment in a position that supports this pathway by w ..read more

Establishing a strong local reputation is essential for growing your practice. Primary care physicians, pediatricians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, and fellow orthopedic surgeons are key sources of referrals for new and old practices alike. Additionally, there is nothing better than a referral from a satisfied patient, whether it is through word of mouth to their friends and family members or publicly through an online review website. It is important to bear in mind that anyone could be a potential patient, or a source of a new patient referral. There are a number of ways to hit the ..read more

Starting clinical practice is an exciting, but stressful, time in a new surgeon’s career. The operating room can be an intimidating place, particularly in a new practice or during difficult cases. Each surgical center has a different way of scheduling and preparing for cases and understanding these processes early can help communication with operating room staff. Planning to ensure that all implants, supplies, and instruments are available is critical to a successful procedure and can help with the preoperative planning process ..read more

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the ligament of sports medicine knee surgery. No structure in the human body has generated as much intrigue, investigation, debate, and controversy among knee surgeons as the ACL. No structure has been responsible for as many devastating season-ending injuries among elite athletes and weekend warriors as the ACL. The physical, psychological, and financial implications of ACL injury are immense. With so much on the line, the sports medicine knee surgeon performing ACL reconstruction needs to understand how to “get it right” and be able to execute the best ..read more

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the ligament of sports medicine knee surgery. No structure in the human body has generated as much intrigue, investigation, debate, and controversy among knee surgeons as the ACL. No structure has been responsible for as many devastating season-ending injuries among elite athletes and weekend warriors as the ACL. The physical, psychological, and financial implications of ACL injury are immense. With so much on the line, the sports medicine knee surgeon performing ACL reconstruction needs to understand how to “get it right” and be able to execute the best ..read more

Precision ACL Reconstruction ..read more