If you’ve experienced an orthopedic injury such as a broken ankle, a soccer injury, an MCL tear or an ACL tear, you may work with a local orthopedic surgeon. A local orthopedic surgeon is a medical doctor who supports patients with orthopedic conditions and injuries. Some patients may also benefit from working with a local athletic therapist, who use the Sports Medicine Model of care. From arthritis to a squash injury to hip replacement surgery recovery, a local athletic therapist can help you manage an orthopedic condition or recover from an orthopedic surgery. A local athletic therapist is a health professional who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal (bones, joints and muscles) disorders as they relate to physical activity. Your local athletic therapist can help you create a safe exercise plan to help you get back to their daily activities. A local athletic therapist may use a variety of techniques to treat patients, including acupuncture, manual therapy and bracing. Whether you have a stress fracture, spondylosis, neck pain, tennis elbow, a knee injury, fibromyalgia or a concussion, a local athletic therapist can be a valuable addition to your orthopedic team. They can also work with your other medical providers, whether it’s your local occupational therapist or ophthalmologist to ensure an optimal treatment plan.