Riley J. Williams III, MD

07/29/2025

Recovering from shoulder capsulorrhaphy? Here’s the timeline:
· Sling for ~2 weeks
· Ice, NSAIDs, short-term pain meds
· PT starts after 1 week
· Full recovery by 3–4 months
· Contact sports: 5+ months

Shoulder Instability Doctor Multidirectional shoulder instability can be caused by damage to the soft-tissue restraints within the shoulder. This type of damage can occur from repeated shoulder dislocations or from sports that require repetitive overhead motions, such as swimming, volleyball, tennis...

07/25/2025

AC joint repair recovery = a few key milestones:
🔹 2–3 weeks in a sling
🔹 Physical therapy starts early
🔹 Strength returns over time
🔹 Back to sports in 3–4 months

Here is what else you should know 👇

Separated Shoulder Surgeon Are you an athlete who participates in contact sports? If so, you may be at risk of sustaining an AC joint injury a CC injury, or a separated shoulder. Injuries to the AC joint are quite common in the athletic population. Separated shoulder surgeon, Doctor Riley J. William...

07/24/2025

Twisted your ankle? Running left you sore? Or dealing with tendonitis?

Ice or heat — which one should you choose? https://www.hss.edu/health-library/move-better/ice-or-heat Hospital for Special Surgery

Sports medicine expert David Wang, MD, shares guidelines to help you figure out which to use when.

07/22/2025

What is ITB Tenodesis—and why might you need it?

ACL injuries often cause serious knee instability, especially during pivoting or changing direction. That’s where Iliotibial Band Tenodesis comes in.
✅ Improves anterolateral knee stability
✅ Works alongside ACL reconstruction
✅ Especially helpful for young athletes

In growing patients, soft tissue grafts are used to reconstruct the ACL—ITB Tenodesis provides extra support without affecting bone growth.

Itliotibial Band Tenodesis Surgeon Are you a younger patient and have you torn your ACL? A torn ACL in skeletally imature young patients can cause an additional knee condition called anterolateral knee instability. Young patients are often good candidates for a procedure called Iliotibial Band (ITB)...

07/20/2025

Tennis Elbow Surgery: What to Expect

If pain in your elbow is holding you back, surgery might be the solution. Dr. Williams performs extensor carpi radialis tendon repair using two outpatient methods:
✅ Open Surgery – a small incision and the most common approach
✅ Arthroscopic Surgery – uses a tiny camera and tools inside the joint

Both are outpatient procedures, so you can recover comfortably at home.

Tennis Elbow and Extensor Carpi Radialis Tendon Surgeon Do you regularly participate in sports like tennis, racquet sports or activities that require repetitive elbow motions? If so, you are at an elevated risk of developing a condition known as tennis elbow. Tennis elbow or lateral epicondylitis ca...

07/17/2025

to a moment that changed tennis forever

In 1975, Arthur Ashe became the first Black man to win the Wimbledon singles title, defeating Jimmy Connors with tactical brilliance and unshakable calm.
More than a victory—it was a legacy in motion.

Roscoe Tanner told ESPN about the advice Arthur Ashe gave him the same year Ashe went on to win -- and it didn't work.

07/16/2025

Is your shoulder nagging you every time you reach up or throw something? You might be dealing with impingement — especially if your job or sport keeps your arms overhead.

Learn what’s happening inside and how to stop the pain before it worsens.

Shoulder Impingement Specialist Do you participate in activities at work or in sports that involve throwing overhead? If so, you may be at risk of developing shoulder impingement. One of the most common causes of shoulder pain is shoulder impingement (sometimes call subacromial impingement.) Shoulde...

07/11/2025

Tommy John surgery—a name every baseball fan knows. But why?

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) can wear down from repetitive overhand throwing, causing painful tears. In 1974, Dodgers pitcher Tommy John became the first pro athlete to have the ligament surgically reconstructed. His successful return in 1976 changed sports medicine forever, giving athletes a path to recovery and career longevity.

Elbow UCL/MCL Surgeon Are you an athlete who participates in repetitive overhead movements like tennis or pitching? If so, you are at an elevated risk of tearing the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), also called the medial collateral ligament (MCL). If an elbow UCL tear is too severe for non-operativ...

07/09/2025

Imagine the energy of 104 Super Bowls... now multiply that across 3 countries and 5 million fans.

That’s the scale of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It’s not just a tournament—it’s a global takeover.
· 3 hosts
· 16 cities
· A billion dreams

How colossal will the 2026 FIFA World Cup be? Try 104 Super Bowls and 5 million fans.

07/08/2025

What is PVNS?
Pigmented Villonodular Synovitis (PVNS) is a rare joint condition where the lining of a joint (called the synovium) grows abnormally—often in the knee.

Symptoms:
🔸 Pain
🔸 Swelling
🔸 Stiffness
🔸 Clicking or locking
🔸 Joint fluid buildup

Most common in adults aged 20–50
🦵 80% of cases affect the knee
PVNS can be localized or diffuse—and left untreated, it can damage cartilage and lead to arthritis.

Early diagnosis + treatment are key to preserving joint health and mobility.

Knee PVNS Specialist Do you have a history of synovitis or of PVNS - pigmented villonodular synovitis in the knee or any other joint? Are you experiencing pain, tenderness or rapid swelling in the knee joint? Doctor Riley J. Williams provides diagnosis as well as surgical and nonsurgical treatment o...

07/04/2025

Happy Independence Day from Dr. Williams and the entire team at the Hospital for Special Surgery 🇺🇸

Today, we celebrate the spirit of freedom, resilience, and unity that built a nation—and continues to heal and inspire every patient journey. From all of us dedicated to restoring mobility and hope, we wish you a joyful and safe Fourth of July!

07/02/2025

Why perform lateral collateral ligament (LCL) reconstruction of the elbow?

LCL tears, often caused by traumatic dislocation or athletic injury (like landing on an outstretched hand), can leave the elbow unstable and weak.

Reconstruction restores joint stability, strength, and mobility, enabling patients to regain function and return to activity.

Elbow Reconstruction Doctor Have you fallen on an outstretched hand, or had a traumatic injury to the elbow that involved an elbow dislocation? Does your elbow feel unstable, like it might come out of joint, or has lost strength? If so, you may need an LCL reconstruction. Lateral collateral ligament...