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Sports Medicine | UC Davis Health

Sports Medicine

Our experts treat any injury you might have during your athletic pursuits. We help you achieve your health and performance goals.

Medically reviewed by Cassandra Lee, M.D., Ryan Freshman, M.D. and Brandee Waite, M.D. on April 13, 2026.

Sports medicine physician examining female patient’s elbow in a clinic.

Advanced Medicine for Active Lifestyles

At UC Davis Health, our sports medicine experts specialize in keeping active people healthy. We focus on the prevention and treatment of surgical and non-surgical sports injuries. We also offer sports performance and wellness programs. Our goal is to help you continue to enjoy your favorite activities.

Our Difference

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Comprehensive Sports Medicine Program

We offer quick access to expert care for all sports-related health conditions and injuries. We also provide performance and nutrition counseling services.

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Support for All Ages and Abilities

Our sports medicine specialists provide the care you need at every age and fitness level. Helping you achieve your personal health goals is our top priority.

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Leading Treatment Options

We have expertise in a range of treatments for injuries, including injections, non-invasive treatment options and surgical procedures.

Request an Appointment

As Sacramento's No. 1 hospital, you'll benefit from unique advantages in primary care and specialty care. This includes prevention, diagnosis and treatment options from experts in 150 specialties.

Referring Physicians

To refer a patient, submit an electronic referral form or call.

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Patients

Call to make an appointment.

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Our Sports Medicine Specialties

Sports medicine supports your health and fitness. Our specialists help prevent and treat injuries that result from sports or exercise, including orthopaedic conditions that affect the hips, knees, shoulders and elbows. The UC Davis Health Sports Medicine program offers complete and convenient care with several specialties in one center.

Foot and Ankle

Our foot and ankle specialists have expertise in every condition, including arthritis, fractures, sprains, and strains. We’ll help relieve your pain and return you to your active lifestyle. 

Health and Wellness

We focus on improving your fitness levels and preventing injury. Our services include metabolic and body composition testing and functional movement screening.

Explore health and wellness at UC Davis Health
Orthopaedic Surgery

Our nationally ranked Department of Orthopaedic Surgery provides expert care for all sports injuries. We’ll evaluate and treat your condition so you can return to your favorite activities.

Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

We offer inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services for a wide range of injuries. Our providers work with athletes of all ages and levels.

Learn more about physical medicine and rehabilitation at UC Davis Health
Sports Performance

We offer assessments to measure your endurance, cardiovascular health, body composition and other factors that affect your athletic performance.

Discover our sports performance capabilities
Lifestyle and Longevity Medicine

We offer a contemporary focus on lifestyle interventions. This includes exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress reduction, avoiding unhealthy substances and enhancing positive social connections that can result in many health benefits.

Check out our approach to longevity medicine
Awards and Recognitions
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USNWR Best Hospital badge

Ranked among the nation’s best hospitals

A U.S. News & World Report best hospital in cardiology, heart & vascular surgery, diabetes & endocrinology, ENT, geriatrics, neurology & neurosurgery, and pulmonology & lung surgery.

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US News & World Report best Children’s Hospital badge

Ranked among the nation’s best children’s hospitals

U.S. News & World Report ranked UC Davis Children’s Hospital among the best in pediatric nephrology, orthopedics*, and pulmonology & lung surgery. (*Together with Shriners Children’s Northern California)

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USNWR best regional hospital badge

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital

Ranked Sacramento’s #1 hospital by U.S. News, and high-performing in aortic valve surgery, back surgery (spinal fusion), COPD, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, gynecological cancer surgery, heart arrhythmia, heart failure, kidney failure, leukemia, lymphoma & myeloma, lung cancer surgery, pacemaker implantation, pneumonia, prostate cancer surgery, stroke, TAVR, cancer, orthopedics, gastroenterology & GI surgery, and urology.

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Magnet designation badge

The nation’s highest nursing honor

UC Davis Medical Center has received Magnet® recognition, the nation’s highest honor for nursing excellence.

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NCI badge

World-class cancer care

One of ~59 U.S. cancer centers designated “comprehensive” by the National Cancer Institute.

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HEI LGBTQ badge

A leader in health care equality

For the 13th consecutive year, UC Davis Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the educational arm of America’s largest civil rights organization.

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Common Sports-Related Injuries

Sports injuries can occur from falls or collisions (acute) or overuse (chronic). You don’t have to be an athlete to have a sports injury. They can happen to anyone who is active.

Common injuries include:

Broken Bone

A bone fracture can occur from trauma (like falling off a bicycle) or over time from a repetitive motion (like distance running).

Bursitis

Your bursae are small sacs filled with fluid. They cushion your bones against your muscles and tendons. Trauma or overuse in a joint can cause painful inflammation in your bursae (bursitis).

Sprain

A sprain happens when you stretch or tear a ligament (the tissue that connects one bone to another). Sprains often occur in ankles, knees and wrists.

Tendonitis

Tendonitis occurs when you develop inflammation in a tendon. It can arise from overuse or a repetitive motion. Tendonitis often occurs in your elbows, knees and shoulders.

Treatments for Sports-Related Injuries

Our specialists work with you to rehabilitate injuries and prevent new ones. In many cases, we suggest the least invasive treatments first. But when injections and other non-invasive options aren’t enough, our top-ranked academic medical center offers advanced surgical procedures.

Sports medicine treatments include:

Injections

Standard and ultrasound-guided injections help manage pain and promote healing. We offer many types of injection therapies, including local anesthetic, non-steroid anti-inflammatories, corticosteroids, platelet rich plasma, prolotherapy, and viscosupplementation/hyaluronic acid.

Other Non-Invasive Treatments

We offer you guidance on exercise, nutrition and how to reduce physical strain at work and play. Our personalized care includes bracing and splinting for support and acupuncture to reduce pain and tension.

Surgery

Our sports medicine experts offer a complete range of surgeries, from joint preservation, repair and reconstruction to replacement. We are leaders in minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy using a pencil-sized camera and tools to diagnose and treat injuries.

Sports Medicine FAQs

You can request a referral to a UC Davis Health sports medicine specialist from your primary care provider.

Sports medicine features experts across many medical disciplines, including orthopaedic surgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and sports performance and wellness.

Instability, pain and swelling from an overuse injury can affect your daily activities. Seek help if symptoms don’t subside with a few days of rest. Get help right away for acute trauma, like a bone fracture or muscle tear.

Sports medicine helps athletes and active people prevent injury and maintain good health. Staying active and injury-free helps reduce your risk of many health conditions and improves your quality of life.