Stay Active and Return to the Activities You Love with Expert Sports Medicine Care
Sports medicine is a specialized area of orthopedics focused on preventing, diagnosing, treating, and rehabilitating sports injuries, overuse injuries, and conditions that affect the bones, joints, muscles, tendons, and ligaments. While commonly associated with athletes, sports medicine is for anyone who wants to stay active from competitive athletes and weekend warriors to active adults.
At Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, our fellowship-trained orthopedic sports medicine specialist provides comprehensive care for acute injuries, overuse conditions, and joint problems. Whether your goal is returning to competition, getting back to the gym, or simply enjoying an active lifestyle without pain, we're here to help you move with confidence. We proudly care for patients throughout Austin, Lakeway, Leander, and the surrounding Central Texas communities.


Conner Patrick, M.D.
Physicians

If pain, weakness, or limited mobility keeps you from exercising, participating in sports, working, or completing daily activities, it may be time to see a sports medicine specialist.
Common signs include:
Persistent joint or muscle pain
Swelling, bruising, or tenderness
Reduced strength or range of motion
Pain that worsens with activity
Joint instability or a feeling that the joint may give way
Clicking, catching, locking, or popping
Difficulty running, jumping, throwing, lifting, or changing direction
An injury that is not improving with rest
Recurrent injuries affecting the same area
Difficulty returning to your previous activity level
Early evaluation can help prevent an injury from worsening and may provide more treatment options.

Our team evaluates and treats a wide range of sports injuries, overuse injuries, and musculoskeletal conditions, including:
Rotator cuff injuries
AC joint pain/injury
Cartilage injury
Arthritis
Frozen shoulder
Shoulder instability and dislocations
Labral tears
Shoulder impingement
Biceps and triceps tendon injuries
Tennis elbow
Golfer’s elbow
Throwing-related shoulder and elbow injuries
Tendonitis and overuse injuries
Elbow ligament injury/instability
Fractures – wrist and hand
Trigger Finger
Carpal Tunnel
Achilles tendon injury
Ankle sprains
Peroneal tendon dysfunction
Fractures
Sprains and strains
Tendon injuries
Muscle tears
Overuse injuries
Stress injuries
Repetitive-motion conditions
Sports-related fractures
Joint instability
Traumatic injuries
ACL, MCL, PCL, and LCL injuries – lauren
Meniscus tears
Patellar instability
Patellar and quadriceps tendon injuries
Runner’s knee
Iliotibial band syndrome
Hip impingement/instability
Hip labral tears
Hamstring/quadriceps/abductor tendon injury
Hip and knee cartilage injuries
Tendonitis and overuse injuries
Fractures
Knee arthritis
IT band syndrome
Cartilage injuries
SI joint pain
We provide expert care for injuries involving the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, foot, and ankle, helping patients safely return to sports, fitness, work, and everyday activities. Whether your injury occurred during competitive sports, recreational activities, fitness training, or exercise, our team is here to help you recover and return to doing what you love.

Physical therapy
Activity modification
Sport-specific rehabilitation
Anti-inflammatory medications
Bracing or supportive equipment
Strengthening and mobility exercises
Ultrasound guided injections, including steroids, Visco supplementation, and PRP
When surgery is necessary, our surgeons use minimally invasive, advanced techniques that are designed to repair damaged tissue, restore joint stability, and support a safe return to activity.
Shoulder, elbow, hip, and knee arthroscopy
Rotator cuff repair
Labral repair
ACL and other ligament reconstruction
Meniscus repair
Cartilage restoration procedures
Tendon repair and reconstruction
Fracture fixation
Treatment of joint instability
Sports-related shoulder, hip, knee, and elbow surgery
Debridement/remove of bone spurs
Osteotomies/realignment procedures
Cyst excision
Scar/adhesion resection
Knee arthroplasty
Our goal is not only to treat the injury but also to help you regain strength, confidence, and long-term joint health.


Recovering from a sports injury often involves more than treating the injury itself. At Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, our sports medicine physicians work closely with our physical therapy team to provide seamless, coordinated care from diagnosis through rehabilitation.
Whether you're recovering from a sprain, ligament injury, tendon injury, fracture, or surgery, your physician and therapist communicate throughout your recovery to ensure your treatment plan progresses safely and effectively. When appropriate, we also collaborate with high school and collegiate athletic trainers to coordinate care, share progress, and help ensure a safe and successful return to sport.
This collaborative approach helps restore strength, mobility, and function while supporting a safe return to sports, exercise, work, and the activities you enjoy.

Your visit begins with a comprehensive evaluation to understand how the injury occurred, how it is affecting your activity, and what you hope to return to doing.
A detailed discussion of your symptoms, activity level, and medical history
A physical examination to assess strength, stability, flexibility, and range of motion
Imaging such as X-rays, ultrasound, or MRI when needed
A clear explanation of your diagnosis and treatment options
A personalized recovery plan based on your goals and lifestyle
Your treatment plan may include rehabilitation, activity guidance, injections, or surgery, depending on the type and severity of your injury.
Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin combines specialized expertise with advanced diagnostic and treatment options.
Patients have access to:
Board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists
Advanced imaging and diagnostic technology
Minimally invasive surgical techniques
Ultrasound-guided procedures
On-site physical therapy and rehabilitation
Coordinated care from diagnosis through recovery
Personalized return-to-sport and return-to-activity planning
Our team is committed to helping you recover safely and efficiently while reducing your risk of reinjury.
Choosing the right orthopedic team can make an important difference in your recovery.
At Orthopaedic Specialists of Austin, you will find:
Experienced, fellowship-trained orthopedic specialists
Care for both acute and overuse injuries
Individualized treatment plans based on your goals
A focus on non-surgical treatment whenever appropriate
Advanced surgical options when needed
Coordinated rehabilitation and recovery support
Clear communication throughout every stage of care
A team focused on helping you return to the activities you enjoy
Do not let an injury keep you on the sidelines.
Whether your pain began suddenly or has gradually worsened over time, our sports medicine team can help you understand the cause, explore your treatment options, and develop a plan for returning to activity safely.
Schedule an appointment with one of our sports medicine specialists today and take the first step toward moving with greater strength and confidence.

No. Sports medicine specialists treat anyone with an injury or condition affecting movement and activity. This includes competitive athletes, recreational athletes, active adults, and individuals who want to return to exercise or everyday activities.
Not necessarily. Many sports-related injuries can be treated with physical therapy, activity modification, medication, bracing, or injections. Surgery is considered when the injury is severe, the joint is unstable, or non-surgical care has not provided enough relief.
Yes. A sports medicine specialist can evaluate lingering pain, weakness, instability, or reduced mobility from a previous injury and determine whether additional treatment or rehabilitation may help.
Recovery depends on the type and severity of the injury, the treatment provided, and your overall health and activity goals. Your physician and rehabilitation team will guide you through a gradual and safe return-to-activity plan.
Many outpatient procedures are performed at Lakeway Surgery Center or Hyde Park Surgery Center, both of which have a strong orthopedic focus and provides coordinated surgical care in an outpatient setting.
Same day appointments may be available depending on the nature of the injury, scheduling, and provider availability. Our team works to accommodate urgent orthopedic concerns as quickly as possible.

I saw Dr Kay for my carpal tunnel symptoms and proceeded with surgery. He was very professional and thorough . The location was great; the process wasn’t stressful at all. He did a great job!! Thank you Dr Kay and staff.
Patient