Sports Medicine North

High school sports offer incredible benefits, from fostering teamwork and a sense of belonging to keeping students active and motivated. However, these benefits come with the risk of injury, especially in high school football. As high-school athletes get ready for football this fall, injury prevention is key to keeping them on the field. Dr. Robert Spang, orthopedic surgeon with fellowship-training in both advanced shoulder reconstruction and sports medicine at Sports Medicine North, shares 5 tips to minimize the risk of injury. https://ow.ly/Yo0x50T1ErE

As a first-grade teacher and an active individual who loves dancing and walking, Maura’s life took an unexpected turn right around Valentine’s Day of 2024. While walking near a lake at a crosswalk, her knee suddenly locked up from a previous injury, causing her to fall forward and land on her wrist. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, she knew she needed to see an orthopedist immediately and took time off from her job. From the moment she met Dr. Peter Prokopis at Sports Medicine North, Maura felt she was in the best hands. His professional demeanor and punctuality were immediately reassuring. Understanding her age and active lifestyle, Dr. Prokopis explained that due to the severity of her injury, surgery was necessary. After falling on a Monday, Maura had her surgery scheduled for that Friday, and all went well. Dr. Prokopis checked on her after the procedure, ensuring she followed all post-operative instructions. He was attentive to her concerns about swelling and provided clear guidance. Maura said she could not thank Dr. Prokopis enough for his expertise. It was undoubtedly the best surgery she could have hoped for. Maura says she “can’t speak more highly of him; his professionalism and punctuality were exceptional.” Read more of Maura's Recovery Journey: https://ow.ly/OAqu50T1Frm

J.F. is a passionate athlete who has overcome multiple wrist injuries with the expert care of Dr. Peter Prokopis, fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity specialist at Sports Medicine North. Her journey began in 2009 when she first injured her right wrist by slipping on black ice, and then she injured her left wrist this past February. The first surgery Dr. Prokopis performed on J.F. in March of 2009 was a success and enabled J.F. to move her hand normally, promoting efficient healing. By June 2009, she was back to umpiring softball and mountain biking. When she injured her second wrist while removing a spider off the ceiling in February of this year, she knew exactly who to call. Thanks to the seamless process from surgery to physical therapy, J.F. was back on her mountain bike by May. “Dr. Prokopis’s commitment to his patients is evident,” J.F. said. “He called me right after both of my surgeries. His care and attention made me feel supported throughout my recovery.” J.F. praises the entire Sports Medicine North team, highlighting the outstanding, experienced, empathetic, professional, and friendly physical therapists. “Everyone genuinely enjoys being at the practice," she noted. Reflecting on her overall experience, J.F. concluded, “The process was seamless. Dr. Prokopis really is a doctor who cares.” Read more about J.F.’s recovery story: https://ow.ly/itYE50SWNkg

Today is National Pickleball Day! Seemingly overnight, pickleball has taken the country by storm. Pickleball is like any other form of exercise - it’s important to take it slow, especially when starting out. If you are transitioning from tennis to pickleball, remember that each sport hits individual areas of the body very differently. You may have to adjust not only your skills but also your conditioning regimen to keep your body in top shape. Dr. Peter M. Prokopis, fellowship-trained hand and upper extremity specialist at Sports Medicine North, shares tips for staying healthy and injury-free when playing pickleball. Learn more by visiting: https://ow.ly/2psC50ST7XT

Get to know Dr. Robert Spang, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at Sports Medicine North, and one of the 2024 Castle Connolly Top Doctors. He has fellowship training in both advanced shoulder reconstruction and sports medicine. Dr. Spang specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder, knee, and sports medicine conditions. His special interests in the shoulder include arthroscopic reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, instability, biceps injuries, and total shoulder replacement. His special interests in the knee include arthroscopy, ligament reconstruction, meniscal injury, ACL surgery, cartilage repair, patellofemoral disorders, joint preservation, and partial and total knee replacements. “I’ve always loved sports. I played football, hockey, baseball, and later rugby in college. During medical school, I spent time with Dr. Bill Levine and Dr. Chris Ahmad who take care of the NY Yankees. (Despite my time in NYC, I remain an avid Boston sports fan.) I saw a patient with shoulder arthritis who couldn’t sleep from pain, couldn’t lift their arm, and asked to have it cut off. I then saw someone who, just six weeks after a shoulder replacement, gave Dr. Levine a high-five without pain…. It was then that I fell in love with shoulder surgery. I was hooked even before stepping into the operating room… I strive to treat every patient as I would want my own family members to be treated… Patients come from diverse backgrounds and have different goals, so I aim to listen and have open, honest discussions about expectations, options, and risks… It’s all about what’s best for the patient,” explains Dr. Spang. Read more about Dr. Spang’s background, expertise, and patient philosophy: https://lnkd.in/eThDuw99

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Dr. Jeremy Shore, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of back and neck disorders at Sports Medicine North, has been named among America's Best Spine Surgeons by Newsweek and Statista! This prestigious ranking evaluates surgeons based on quality metrics, peer reviews, and survey results from over 30,000 medical experts. Learn more about Dr. Shore: https://ow.ly/c9qj50SKbMY #SportsMedicineNorth #TopSpineSurgeon #BackPainRelief #SpineHealth #Orthopedics

We are thrilled to announce that our very own Dr. Richard Ozuna, a board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of back and neck disorders at Sports Medicine North, has been named among America's Best Spine Surgeons by Newsweek and Statista! This prestigious ranking evaluates surgeons based on quality metrics, peer reviews, and survey results from over 30,000 medical experts. Learn more about Dr. Ozuna: https://ow.ly/H5HX50SKbqj #SportsMedicineNorth #TopSpineSurgeon #BackPainRelief #SpineHealth #Orthopedics

Linda is an active grandmother who loves keeping up with her grandkids. Her life took an unexpected turn when she slipped on ice, leading to severe pain in her right shoulder. Linda wanted to be in less pain while still keeping up with her grandkids and maintaining an active lifestyle, so she didn’t feel that surgery was a good option for her. Dr. Spang was understanding of her concerns, and started Linda with cortisone shots every three months. Dr. Spang was transparent with her, explaining that the injections were only a temporary solution and eventually she’d need a shoulder replacement if she wanted a long-lasting solution. When Linda was ready to consider surgery a few years later, Dr. Spang thoroughly explained the process and his recommendation. In February 2024, Linda underwent a reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (rtSA) with Dr. Spang. The results were remarkable. Just a few months post-surgery, Linda is pain-free and has regained a near full range of motion in her right arm. Read more about Linda’s transformation: https://ow.ly/zJSR50SA1hU

We'd like to wish everyone a happy Fourth of July! Our offices are closed today in observance of the holiday. Peabody Imaging will also be closed on Saturday, July 6th, and Sunday, July 7th. #4thofJuly #IndependenceDay

Scott Brown, a former ambassador, senator, and accomplished triathlete, has had a passion for competition his whole life. After being hit by a car, Scott had chronic knee pain for decades, significantly limiting his range of motion. The pain was exacerbated by arthritis, and he could not walk for more than a mile without limping. Determined to regain his active lifestyle, Scott sought relief from his persistent knee pain. In October 2021, a friend recommended Dr. Steven Mattheos at Sports Medicine North. Despite trying conservative treatments such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, stem cell treatments, and minimally invasive procedures, Scott continued to experience significant discomfort and limitations. Dr. Mattheos suggested that a total knee replacement would be Scott’s best course of action. “Before the surgery, my knee wouldn’t bend all the way. Today, I have a full range of motion and no pain. Dr. Mattheos is the real deal, and I’d recommend him to anyone. I’m active every day,” Scott shared. Read more about Scott's recovery here: https://ow.ly/4xnh50SrLt6