Barnes Jewish Hospital Washington University Magnet Recognition America's Best Hospitals 2009-10
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Sports Medicine

Washington University sports medicine specialists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are recognized for their skill and experience in treating a wide range of sports injuries. They are focused on delivering the highest-quality advanced clinical care for both high-performance professional athletes and for anyone with sports or recreation-related injuries.

Extensive expertise and experience have made Barnes-Jewish the orthopedic practice of choice for major professional sports teams in St. Louis, with Washington University orthopedic surgeons and primary care sports medicine physicians serving as team physicians for the St. Louis Rams football team and the St. Louis Blues hockey team. Physicians also provide medical coverage and consultation services to local sporting events and athletic teams including the Washington University Bears, Lafayette High School, Troy Buchanan High School and the Go! St. Louis Marathon.

Sports medicine specialists at Barnes-Jewish employ a multidisciplinary approach to treating sports injuries, including those resulting from sports concussions, running and other exercise-related medical conditions. Our physicians offer nonsurgical and surgical treatment, including minimally invasive procedures such as arthroscopy to aid in an athlete’s rapid recovery and return to mobility.

Commonly performed sports medicine procedures include: 

  • Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (primary and revision)
  • Meniscectomies (removal of damaged knee cartilage)
  • Meniscus repairs
  • Knee ligament reconstruction and revision
  • Rotator cuff repair
  • Shoulder instability treatment
  • Acromioplasties (relieve pressure on rotator cuff)
  • Arthroscopy of all major joints, including the knee, shoulder, elbow, ankle and hip

More advanced sports medicine procedures include: 

  • Cultured chondrocyte (cartilage cell) transplantation
  • Osteochondral plug transplantation (OATS or mosaicplasty)
  • Cartilage replacement
  • Meniscal transplantation
  • Osteotomy

Our specialists also provide experienced evaluations for exertional compartment syndrome (painful condition in leg or arm muscles) and sports-related concussions, including the use of computerized neuropsychological testing.

Sports medicine specialists at Barnes-Jewish work closely with physical therapists, athletic trainers, physiatrists and rehabilitation specialists, as well as human performance experts and sports nutritionists to coordinate care and optimize athletic recovery. Rehabilitation, which includes range of motion and strengthening exercises, begins in either an inpatient or outpatient setting. All rehabilitation is tailored to the type of injury and sport to which a patient will return.

To schedule an appointment with a Washington University orthopedic sports medicine specialist at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, call 314-TOP-DOCS (314-867-3627) or toll free 866-867-3627.

Rick Wright, MD

Dr. Wright primarily focuses his practice on sports and related injuries, with emphasis on the use of arthroscopy in treating problems involving the knee, shoulder, elbow, foot and ankle. Special interests include knee ligament injuries and shoulder rotator cuff disease. Dr. Wright is the head team physician for the St. Louis Blues. He also serves as assistant team physician for the St. Louis Rams. Recognized as a "Best Doctor in America" in the 2009 issue of St. Louis Magazine.

  • Dr. Wright primarily focuses his practice on sports and related injuries, with emphasis on the use of arthroscopy in treating problems involving the knee, shoulder, elbow, foot and ankle. Special interests include knee ligament injuries and shoulder rotator cuff disease. Dr. Wright is the head team physician for the St. Louis Blues. He also serves as assistant team physician for the St. Louis Rams. Recognized as a Best Doctor in America in the 2009 issue of St. Louis Magazine.
  • The Washington University orthopedic specialists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital provide a full complement of services to meet a patient s needs, including the best in inpatient treatment, outpatient care and rehabilitation.
  • Fox Sports Net features Dr. Matt Matava, St. Louis Rams team doctor and orthopedic surgeon at Barnes-Jewish and Washington University.
  • Dr. Brophy treats sports related injuries in patients of all ages. He focuses his practice on cartilage and ligament injuries, injury prevention and treatment in soccer players and shoulder disorders. He the Assistant Team Physician for the St. Louis Rams Football Team and St. Louis Blues Hockey Team. Dr. Brophy played professional soccer for the California Jaguars and the Palo Alto Firebirds. Recognized as a Best Doctor in America in the August 2009 issue of St. Louis Magazine.
  • Former Cardinal s pitcher Cliff Politte injured his arm during a high school baseball clinic. Dr. Matthew Smith, a sports medicine orthopedic surgeon, repaired Cliff s distal bicep tendon and helped him get back into training mode.
  • Washington University sports medicine specialists at Barnes-Jewish Hospital are recognized for their skill and experience in treating a wide range of sports injuries and are the team physicians for the St. Louis Rams and St. Louis Blues. Find out more about their advanced clinical care for both high-performance professional athletes and for anyone with sports or recreation-related injuries.
  • Dr. Matava focuses his practice on sports related injuries in adults and children. Special interests include ligament injuries of the knee, athletic injuries of the shoulder and elbow and pediatric knee disorders. Dr. Matava is the head team physician for the St. Louis Rams and the assistant team physician for the St. Louis Blues. Recognized as a Best Doctor in America in the 2010 issue of St. Louis Magazine.