Sports Medicine

San Diego sports medicine at Scripps

Baseball player sliding into home base, illustrating how athletes may need a sports medicine physician.

San Diego sports medicine at Scripps

Scripps is San Diego’s winning team for orthopedic sports medicine.


No matter what type of sports injury you’ve suffered, Scripps sports medicine physicians in San Diego can help, thanks to an unmatched level of experience and team strength. Scripps is consistently recognized by U.S. News & World Report as having one of the top orthopedic programs in the country — a distinction that sets us apart from other health care systems. This national, local and regional recognition is based on key metrics that include quality, patient outcomes, and system capabilities and facilities.


Our physicians’ experience in treating sports injuries for elite athletes, combined with access to the newest technologies and treatments, translates into innovative care — including options for outpatient surgery — for all of our sports medicine patients.

Our approach to sports medicine

Scripps orthopedic teams diagnose and treat all parts of the musculoskeletal system that can be injured through sports activities — from traumatic knee injuries to worn shoulders to painful feet.


Our expert physicians coordinate with athletic teams, clinicians, trainers and others to provide comprehensive sports medicine care, including sports physical therapy and rehabilitation services.

Types of sports injuries

Types of sports injuries

The sports medicine specialists at Scripps diagnose and treat a variety of sports injuries and conditions in San Diego.

Injury diagnosis and testing

Scripps orthopedic specialists use advanced imaging technologies to ensure patients can receive the most appropriate diagnostic evaluations and treatments. Our sports medicine doctors diagnose athletic injuries based on comprehensive physical exams and imaging, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), CT scan and X-rays. Learn more about different types of imaging in our orthopedic glossary.

Sports injury treatment

Our team provides exceptional care to athletes of all levels, from professional and collegiate athletes to weekend warriors. Sports medicine treatments available at Scripps include:


  • Nonsurgical methods — focus on managing pain through alternative options including anti-inflammatory injections and other less invasive treatments.
  • Osteochondral allograft transplantation — a procedure when cartilage from a donor is implanted to help restore stability in a patient’s knee, ankle or shoulder.
  • Sport physical therapy — provided either as a primary treatment or following a surgical procedure with the goal of helping patients regain strength and full range of motion.
  • Surgery — procedures utilized to repair or replace a joint, tendon or ligament.

Sports physical therapy

Scripps offers sports and physical therapy in San Diego with facilities in North County, South Bay, Central San Diego and La Jolla. Sports and physical therapy services are provided at multiple locations by a team of experts using the latest techniques and technologies to help patients regain strength and mobility to get back in the game.


Your doctor can help you determine the most appropriate course of therapy for your condition, and provide a referral to a specially trained Scripps rehabilitation.

Personal trainers and injury prevention

Personal trainers and exercise physiologists at Shiley Sports and Fitness Center work closely with patients and others to develop individualized programs focused on injury prevention, injury recovery and improved fitness. With state-of-the-art workout equipment, including cardiovascular, circuit training, flexibility and free weights, we are committed to determining the most beneficial program to promote a timely return to work, sports, leisure and other activities. 

Sports medicine research

Scripps Clinic orthopedic doctors are nationally recognized for pioneering work that can benefit sports medicine patients. Cartilage-tissue engineering, stem cell research and genomics are among the focus areas of physicians and scientists at Shiley Center for Orthopaedic Research and Education (SCORE) at Scripps Clinic.

Support services and resources

As leaders in orthopedic care, we know what it takes to keep joints healthy. That’s why we equip our patients with support services and resources to help them achieve their best possible outcome. From connecting you with rehab services to empowering you with educational resources, Scripps offers a comprehensive lineup to help you along every step of your journey.