Evaluating & Treating Knee & Shoulder Ski Injuries

Hurting from the slopes this season?

Let us evaluate your lingering knee or shoulder injury

Kelly Cunningham, MD

  Orthopedic & Regenerative Sports Medicine Specialist

Founder, Austin Ortho Biologics.

As a former US Olympic Men’s Ski Team physician and long-time Austin orthopedist, every year during the winter months, Dr. Cunningham treats many ski & snowboard injuries. As traveling doctor for the team, he accompanied the athletes throughout the US, Canada and Europe on the World Cup tour and was responsible for the triage, stabilization, and treatment of these world-class skiers.

Knee (ACL, meniscus, cartilage) and shoulder (dislocation, labrum, rotator cuff) injuries are the most common persistent problems from a recent ski trip.

Many of these injuries are well treated with time, rest, physical therapy & occasional injections such as PRP or cellular therapy (“stem cell”).

Others require further diagnostic tests such as X Rays or MRI.

In either case, a joint injury that's not feeling better after returning to your normal routine is best evaluated by an experienced sports medicine specialist.

Speaking of knees, in most solid, intermediate skiers, unlike beginners (learning to stop) and racers (ACL injury from shear forces), serious knee injuries are actually quite rare.

And if recent events haven't conspired to keep you away from the snow, keep these ski tips in mind –

The best way to protect yourself from ski injury is:

·    get in good “ski-shape”

·    ski within your limits

·    stay relaxed but focused

·    watch out for that last, fatigued run of the afternoon

·    if you fall, fall forward and throw your hands in front of you

Dr. Kelly Cunningham, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon trained in Sports Medicine, is the area's leader in regenerative sports medicine, and skilled in the emerging science of cellular therapy-“stem cell”, platelet plasma and other innovative treatment protocols.  Dr. Cunningham is also Central Texas' only active member of the International Cartilage Regeneration & Joint Preservation Society.  Dr. Cunningham works with each patient to develop an individual treatment plan, emphasizing the least invasive treatments possible with a goal of minimal recuperation and downtime. He combines rigorous standards and quality of care with experience and insight, integrating the best new techniques into the care of each patient.   Austin Ortho Biologics is seeing new and established patients, closely monitoring and following CDC guidelines. The safety of our patients and staff is our first concern. We practice social distancing; essential staff only and minimal contact with other patients.  All of our staff are vaccinated or recovered.