Overview
All athletes deserve the very best sports-related care and treatment that’s one-on-one and state-of-the-art. At Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center, this involves conditioning to become stronger and faster, maximizing abilities, treating injuries if they do occur and improving future performance.
Our center brings together top orthopaedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, athletic trainers, registered dietitians, radiologists and exercise physiologists to keep athletes in the game. Our experts treat athletes in all sports, all ages and skill levels.
What is a Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician?
Physicians specializing in sports and exercise medicine undergo their initial training and board certification in a specialty such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine, emergency medicine or physical medicine and rehabilitation. They then complete a one-two year training fellowship in sports medicine. This branch of medicine is dedicated to the comprehensive care of athletes and active individuals, promoting lifelong fitness and wellness, and encouraging the prevention of illness and injury.
Sport and exercise medicine specialists can:
- Diagnose and manage acute injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and illnesses (both chronic and acute) that can potentially affect performance.
- Provide team physicians and athletic trainers for professional sports teams, high schools and college athletics.
- Offer educational opportunities for athletes, athletic trainers, physicians and coaches.
- Provide medical care for athletes at major sporting events.
Returning to Sports or Exercise After Recovering From COVID-19?
Whether you’re a student athlete or active adult who has recovered from COVID-19, you’re likely itching to get back on the field or resume your exercise routine. Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine physicians — working alongside many of our other experts, including sports and pediatric cardiologists and primary care providers — can help get athletes of any age and ability back to sport and exercise as safely and as quickly as possible. Read our recommendations for reintroducing physical activity after recovering from COVID-19.
If you have been diagnosed with COVID-19 and need clearance to begin exercising or performing other physical activities, please contact our Sports Medicine team at 216.444.2606 to get started.
Teams We Work With
Cleveland Clinic’s sports medicine specialists are the official team physicians for:
Professional Teams
 The Cleveland Cavaliers |
 Cleveland Charge |
 The Cleveland Guardians |
 Premier Hockey Federation |
Collegiate Athletes
 Baldwin Wallace University |
 Cleveland State University |
 John Carroll University |
 Notre Dame College |
 Cuyahoga Community College - West Campus |
High School Athletes
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Other Partners
 Greater Cleveland Sports Commission |
 Spire Institute |
 MAC |
What We Treat
Conditions
- Acute and overuse injuries
- Sprains
- Strains
- Fractures
- Tendonitis
- Arthritis (Joint Inflammation)
- Concussions
- Chronic or acute illnesses
- Chronic muscle injuries
- Torn ligaments
- ACL
- Tendons
- Broken bones
- Damaged cartilage
- Complex problems of the shoulder of instability and dislocation
- Complex throwing related problems of shoulder and elbow
- Hip impingement
- ACL tears
- Shoulder instability
- Joint cartilage problems, especially involving the knee and elbow
- Throwing and overuse injuries
Treatments and Services
- Arthroscopic surgery
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Hip
- Knee
- ACL Reconstruction
- Meniscus transplant surgery
- Tommy John surgery
- Hamstring repairs
- Advanced surgery for articular cartilage
- Partial joint replacements
- Sport-specific rehabilitation
- Joint injections
- Injury prevention
- Exercise and performance counseling
- Return-to-play decisions for the sick or injured athlete
Programs & Clinics
Saturday Sports Injury Clinic
Saturdays | 8 - 11 a.m.
August 20 - October 22, 2022
Injured during a big game or practice? Our board-certified Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine team is providing services for athletes who suffer acute sports injuries with its Sports Injury Clinic. You won’t have to wait to get an appointment and begin treatment.
The athlete will be evaluated by a Sports Medicine team specialist, primary care sports medicine physician or orthopedic surgeon, and when necessary a physical therapist. The team will develop an individualized treatment plan for the athlete. Expedited access to other Cleveland Clinic specialists will be provided, as needed.
The Sports Injury Clinic is not an Urgent Care and is limited to the treatment of acute sports injuries. Please go to the Emergency Room or an Urgent Care facility for visible bone or multiple fractures, open or bleeding wounds, burns, illness, and rashes.
During the Sports Injury Clinic, patients may be seen by a sports medicine specialist for:
- Acute sport injuries of the ankle, knee, and shoulder
- Dislocations and ligament tears
- Sports injury of the hand and wrist
- Sprains, strains, and contusions
- On-site x-rays, bracing, splinting, and casting
Appointments and Walk-ins are welcome. For more information, call 216.518.3475
Hours and Location:
Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center
5555 Transportation Blvd.
Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Esports Medicine Program
Cleveland Clinic Esports Medicine Program evaluates esports athletes. As with traditional athletes, esports athletes have unique sport-specific training and injury prevention needs. Our Esports Medicine team is primarily focused on the treatment and prevention of esports related injuries, as well as a commitment to protecting and enhancing the health, safety and welfare of all esports athletes. Our Esports Medicine team has a unique skill set and comprehensive background to provide esports athletes with cutting edge performance enhancement and injury prevention strategies.
Dance Medicine Clinic
The Dance Medicine Clinic utilizes a multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation, involving practitioners interested in the care of both amateur and professional dancers.
Appointments and Hours
Performers interested in being seen in Dance Medicine clinic may call 216.518.3475 to arrange for an appointment. Our Dance Medicine Clinic is open on the second and fourth Tuesday each month from 4 - 6 p.m.
Location
Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center
5555 Transportation Blvd.
Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Appointments & Locations
To schedule an appointment to see a Cleveland Clinic sports medicine specialists, please call 216.518.3444 or toll free at 877.440.8326 (TEAM). Please have your insurance information available.
Virtual Visits
You can now stay connected to your healthcare team through virtual visits, using your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Why go virtual? It's an easy, convenient and secure way to see your provider face-to-face without having to leave home. This saves you travel time, parking fees and time spent in the waiting room — and you can also have a loved one or caregiver join you. If appropriate, you can also get a prescription sent to the pharmacy of your choice.
Many insurance companies cover the cost of virtual visits, so check with your insurance company ahead of time. Interested in getting started? Call your provider to find out what virtual visit options are available.
- Learn more about virtual visits for scheduled appointments
Virtual Second Opinions
If you cannot travel to Cleveland Clinic, help is available. You can connect with Cleveland Clinic specialists from any location in the world via a phone, tablet, or computer, eliminating the burden of travel time and other obstacles.
If you’re facing a significant medical condition or treatment such as surgery, this program provides virtual access to a Cleveland Clinic physician who will review the diagnosis and treatment plan. Following a comprehensive evaluation of medical records and labs, you’ll receive an educational second opinion from an expert in their medical condition covering diagnosis, treatment options or alternatives as well as recommendations regarding future therapeutic considerations. You’ll also have the unique opportunity to speak with the physician expert directly to address questions or concerns.
- Learn more about virtual second opinions
Locations
Patient Resources
Treatment Guides
Cleveland Clinic offers a number of free treatment guides covering a broad range of information related to Sports Medicine.
Nutrition for Athletes
Optimal nutrition is important for maximizing your stamina and ability to perform. Our sports medicine nutritionists can help you stay healthy, avoid injury or accelerate your healing. Nutritional requirements vary by sport, so our nutritionists will work with you one-on-one to design a nutrition plan that helps you achieve you goals, including:
- Improving your diet and hydration status to maximize your performance or workout
- Assist with weight loss, muscle and weight gain
- Prevention of bone loss and injuries
- Playing your best with a chronic condition, such as diabetes or heart disease
Appointments and Hours
Athletes interested in being seen by our sports medicine nutritionist may call 216.518.3475 to arrange for an appointment. Our Sports Nutrition Clinic is open every other Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Location
Sports Medicine Center
5555 Transportation Blvd.
Garfield Heights, OH 44125
Integrative Sports Medicine
Our Sports Medicine team collaborates with experts from Cleveland Clinic's Center for Integrative Medicine to provide services with a special focus on supporting the body’s natural abilities to heal after a sports-related injury or condition, using techniques such as:
Download the Integrative Medicine for Athletes FAQ sheet
Chiropractic Sports Medicine
Chiropractic sports medicine has proven effective in treating a wide range of acute and chronic athletic injuries, including:
- Overuse injuries
- Shoulder pain
- Peripheral nerve entrapment syndromes
Our certified chiropractic sports physician is skilled at identifying problems with body mechanics and eliminating the source of pain without surgical intervention.
For Medical Professionals & Coaches
Educational Opportunities
Learn about our Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine educational opportunities for medical professionals.
Competitive Edge Newsletter
Competitive Edge is an e-Newsletter for athletes, coaches, parents and active individuals, written by Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine staff. This publication will keep you informed of the latest health topics, concerns and trends.
Events
Find a variety of classes for athletes, parents and coaches both helping prevent injury and recover from it.
Pupil Activity Validation (PAV) Courses
Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center is hosting Pupil Activity Validation courses for coaches of youth programs at the elementary, middle and high school level and recreation leagues.
Course Curriculum
- Recognize the signs of common injuries/health concerns, including: environmental safety, life threatening and non-life threatening injuries and health concerns
- Emergency Planning
- R.I.C.E Method
Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center is an approved provider of the Ohio Department of Education Pupil Activity Programs.
These clinics fulfill the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and Ohio High School Athletic Association requirements for Pupil Activity Validation.
Class Date: July 26, 2023
Class Time: 5 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Virtual
Cleveland Clinic Sports Medicine Center reserves the right to cancel a PAV class 7 days prior to the date of the class if insufficient numbers have registered.
