How Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine Doctors Get You Back in the Game

When you suffer a sports injury, your first goal is to get back to doing what you love – whether that’s skiing, biking, hiking, or competing at a high level. But not every orthopedic specialist has the same advanced training or experience in treating athletes.

That’s where fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors come in. At Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON), our team includes board-certified, fellowship-trained physicians who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of sports-related injuries.

Below, we answer the most common questions about what that training means, and how it helps you return to peak performance faster and safer.

What does “fellowship-trained” mean in orthopaedics?

After completing medical school and a full orthopedic surgery residency, some doctors go on to complete fellowship training, an additional year of highly specialized education focused on a specific area, such as sports medicine, shoulder and knee reconstruction, or trauma.

A fellowship-trained sports medicine physician receives in-depth, hands-on experience treating athletic injuries in both elite and recreational athletes.

“Our fellowship-trained specialists have spent thousands of hours in the operating room and in the clinic managing everything from ligament tears to overuse injuries,” explains Dr. Richard Cunningham, sports medicine specialist at VSON. “That expertise allows us to deliver care tailored to each athlete’s specific sport and goals.”

How does fellowship training improve patient care?

Fellowship training sharpens a doctor’s ability to diagnose subtle or complex injuries and choose the most effective treatment plan, whether surgical or non-surgical.

At VSON, fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors stay at the forefront of:

• Arthroscopic surgical techniques for shoulders, knees, and hips

• Regenerative medicine therapies, such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

• Injury prevention programs and biomechanical assessments

• Personalized rehabilitation protocols for faster recovery

This level of expertise ensures that each patient receives evidence-based, individualized care, whether they’re recovering from a torn ACL, a shoulder dislocation, or a stress fracture.

How do sports medicine specialists get athletes back to peak performance?

Getting you “back in the game” isn’t just about healing the injury. It’s about restoring strength, stability, and confidence so you can return to your sport safely and perform at your best.

At VSON, fellowship-trained sports medicine doctors collaborate closely with physical therapists, athletic trainers, and performance specialists to:

• Rebuild muscle and joint function

• Correct movement imbalances

• Reduce risk of re-injury

• Optimize return-to-sport timelines

“Each recovery plan is as unique as the athlete,” says Dr. Max Seiter, a sports medicine specialist at VSON. “Whether you’re a high school skier or a weekend mountain biker, we build a structured, sport-specific pathway to help you regain full mobility and confidence.”

Why choose a fellowship-trained sports medicine doctor?

Choosing a fellowship-trained specialist gives you access to the latest research, technologies, and surgical innovations. These physicians understand the physical and psychological challenges that come with being sidelined, and they know how to guide patients through recovery with compassion and precision.

Patients treated by fellowship-trained doctors benefit from:

• More accurate diagnosis and surgical precision

• Faster, safer return-to-play protocols

• Comprehensive treatment options, from conservative therapy to advanced surgical reconstruction

“Our surgeons don’t just treat injuries,” says Dr. Terrell Joseph, a sports medicine specialist at VSON. “They understand what it takes for athletes to compete again, and they help make that happen.”

About Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery

Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) has been a trusted leader in orthopedic and sports medicine care for more than 40 years. With offices in Vail, Frisco, and Edwards, Colorado, VSON’s fellowship-trained physicians provide world-class care for joint, bone, and soft-tissue injuries. From injury prevention and diagnostics to advanced surgical treatments and physical therapy, VSON helps active individuals return to the sports and lifestyles they love, stronger than before.