Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Due to our very own Christopher J. Woodson, M.D., Beach Orthopedic Specialty Institute is proud to specialize in orthopedic sports medicine.

What is Orthopedic Sports Medicine and what do they treat?

Orthopedic sports medicine is the investigation, preservation, and restoration by medical, surgical, and rehabilitative means to all structures of the musculoskeletal system affected by athletic activity.

The field of Orthopedic sports medicine encompasses professionals from multiple disciplines all focusing on caring for the athlete or athletic individual.  The field is not reserved for pure athletes, but athletic and active individuals who desire a return to, or maintenance of an athletic lifestyle.  The goal of restoration is accomplished not only by the treating, overseeing orthopedic surgeon, but through collaborative efforts of medical doctors, physical and occupational therapists, and certified athletic trainers.

In caring for the athletic individual, sports medicine specialists evaluate the athlete’s injury, make recommendations on treatment of the injury with an emphasis on conservative, non- operative care if appropriate, and coordinate that care to ensure the individual returns to their pre- injury level of performance.  In addition, preventative care and recommendations will be made to prevent similar injuries from occurring in the future.

Surgical treatment for athletic injuries in sports medicine are geared toward joint restoration and minimally invasive techniques.  Arthroscopic repairs and reconstructions are at the forefront of this field.  Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions, meniscal repairs, articular cartilage repairs, and medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstructions are some of the most common knee procedures that Dr. Woodson performs.  Shoulder arthroscopy with rotator cuff repairs (RCR), labral repairs for unstable shoulders, clavicle fracture treatment, and AC joint (shoulder separations) treatment are some of the most common shoulder procedures performed by Dr. Woodson.  In addition, Dr. Woodson is one of the few surgeons in greater Los Angeles and Orange County areas who performs arthroscopic hip labral repairs, reconstructions, and other treatments for femoroacetabular impingement of the hip. Other areas of focus include surgical and non-surgical treatment ankle and elbow injuries in the athlete, as well as non- operative treatment of cervical and lumbar spine issues in the athletic population.

Dr. Woodson utilizes regenerative medicine in his practice when appropriate.  These modalities include PRP injections, BMAC, and stem cell injections to facilitate the healing of soft tissues, osteoarthritic cartilage, and post-operative repairs.  He has been using these therapies for over a decade in his practice, and has extensive experience with their indications and usage.

Training to practice Orthopedic Sports Medicine

Dr. Woodson began his journey at the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) where he received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physiological Science. From there, he went on to receive his M.D. from the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California (USC), where he also completed his Orthopedic Surgery internship and 5 year residency. He would later complete his sports medicine fellowship at the Southern California Center for Sports Medicine in Long Beach, under the direction of previous AAOS president, Douglas Jackson, MD.  In total, 14 years of training prior to embarking on his goal.

Since completing his studies, Dr. Woodson has been busy treating patients in the Southern California area and founding the Beach Orthopedic Specialty Institute. A board-certified orthopedic surgeon and active member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM), and the Arthroscopic Association of North America (AANA), Dr. Woodson specializes in Sports Medicine and Joint Preservation/Reconstruction surgery and treatment.

University Sports Medicine, High School Sports Medicine, and More…

Over the years, Dr. Woodson has cared for athletes at all levels from professional to the recreational weekend warrior.  During his residency, he was responsible to provide supervised care to the athletes at the University of Southern California (USC).

He is currently working as head team Orthopedic Surgeon for California State University Long Beach (CSULB) Athletics  and has provided care for dozens of their athletes across all sports including basketball, soccer, water polo, volleyball, track and field, and baseball.

He has always enjoyed caring for the high school athlete as well.  Athletes from Los Alamitos High, Cypress High, Mater Dei, St. John Bosco, Servite, Long Beach Millikan High, Long Beach Wilson High, Long Beach Poly, to name a few, have sought care with Dr. Woodson over the years.

It’s not just university and high school athletes that Dr. Woodson treats. Dr. Woodson is known for providing top quality sports medicine treatment to patients of all ages. In fact, Dr. Woodson continues to be the highest volume Orthopedic Surgeon at Los Alamitos Medical Center and Los Alamitos Surgery Center.

Orthopaedic Sports Medicine
Arthroscopy of the Shoulder, Knee & Hip
Joint Preservation & Reconstructive Surgery


California State University, Long Beach
Head Team Orthopedic Surgeon

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