Program Curriculum

In addition to the didactic and coverage experiences, the program has 13 core clinical rotation blocks (4 weeks/block). Fellows spend 3 days/week on their clinical rotation.

Rotation Descriptions:

MSK Medicine (2 blocks)

The first two months of the fellowship year will be spent working with sports medicine physicians in their sports medicine clinics helping Fellows develop a strong foundation. The Fellows will work closely with faculty at a variety of practice locations. During these months, Fellows will hone their musculoskeletal examination skills, radiographic interpretation skills, and become proficient in a variety of musculoskeletal injection techniques.

Sports Surgery (2 blocks)

This rotation is designed to give the fellow experience with orthopedic sports surgeons primarily in the office setting to better gain understanding of indications, options, and recovery from surgical intervention. To maximize diversity of experience, the fellow will rotate with various surgeons during these months. The fellow has the opportunity to spend operative time (if desired) with our orthopedic sports surgeons to better understand surgical techniques and considerations to help better educate their patients.

MSK Radiology (1 block)

The Fellow will spend time with our world-class musculoskeletal radiologists in a hospital setting. Emphasis will be on reading x-rays, MRI, ultrasound, and CT scan of the extremities and spine, as well as indications, limitations, and proper utilization of these tests.

Orthopedic Trauma (1 block)

Fellows rotate with orthopedic trauma specialists in their outpatient clinic to gain experience with management a variety of fractures, dislocations, and other traumatic musculoskeletal injuries.

Spine/Neuro (1 block)

Fellows rotate with our fellowship trained sports physiatrists in their dedicated spine clinic to gain exposure to comprehensive non-operative spine care. Additionally, the fellows work in our comprehensive concussion clinic to gain experience with office-based concussion care.

Foot, Ankle and Hand (1 block each)

The Fellows rotate with our fellowship trained foot and ankle/hand orthopedic surgeons in their outpatient clinic where they gain additional experience in management of common orthopedic complaints from a specialty surgeon’s perspective. 

In-Office Procedures (1 block)

Fellows will preferentially rotate with our sports medicine physicians who perform a high volume of in-office procedures so that they can gain experience and comfort with performing:

• platelet rich plasma/other orthobiologic injections
• needle tenotomy
• barbotage
• Tenex

Sports Physiology (1 block)

The fellow is exposed to the principles of exercise physiology through didactic and clinical experience with our exercise physiology and pulmonology colleagues that provides exposure to both cardiac and pulmonary exercise stress testing.

Elective (2 block)

The schedule allows for 4 weeks of elective experience to help the fellow meet their own educational goals. Most Fellows opt to spend additional time with their Sports Medicine faculty in the outpatient clinic setting, but this is not mandatory. The experience can be divided into multiple areas if desired. The elective plan must be approved by the fellowship director by March 1st (unless they plan to spend the month with the SM faculty).