Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw, MD

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United States
Richmond, VA
Kwadwo Owusu-Akyaw, MD

As a Sports Medicine Surgeon, it is an honor and privilege to help return athletes at all levels to their highest potential.

If you ever find yourself unable to do what you love, let's make the journey back to health together. My specializations include operative and non-operative treatment of athletic injuries to the knee, hip and shoulder. I have extensive training in arthroscopic (minimally invasive) treatment of these injuries when appropriate. I additionally specialize in the use of Orthobiologics, such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma) for non-operative treatment of joint injuries. I currently serve as the Company Physician for the Richmond Ballet. I have previously worked as a member of the medical team for the Brooklyn Nets NBA team, North Carolina Central University (Durham, NC), Duke University (Durham, NC) and Iona College (New Rochelle, NY).

12/19/2025

This weeks Research Roundup article is:

Restoration of Labral Function in Primary Hip Arthroscopy: From Labral Repair to Labral Reconstruction

Labral repair is now the gold standard for treating labral tears, offering superior outcomes compared to debridement. For irreparable tears, segmental and circumferential labral reconstruction techniques have emerged, both showing good short-, mid-, and long-term results. Circumferential reconstruction removes all damaged tissue and uses grafts to restore the labrum, while segmental reconstruction targets only the affected segment. Labral augmentation is also an option for hypoplastic labra, preserving the native chondrolabral junction. No clear evidence favors one reconstruction method over another, but restoration of labral function is critical for joint biomechanics and symptom relief.

12/13/2025

Had to work the rust off…

Rejoice this season and carry the spirit of Justice and Peace all year long..

11/21/2025

Friday Research Round Up!

Hip Arthroscopic Surgery: Patient Evaluation, Current Indications, and Outcomes

Hip arthroscopy has rapidly evolved, especially in the athletic population, due to improved understanding of hip pathology and advances in imaging and surgical techniques. Indications now include symptomatic labral tears, femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), capsular laxity, chondral lesions, and more. Extensile arthroscopic capsulotomies have enabled better access for labral repair, chondral treatment, and osteochondroplasty. Short- and midterm outcomes are favorable for prearthritic lesions, but long-term data are needed to determine the impact on degenerative progression. For physical therapists and athletic trainers, this underscores the importance of early recognition and comprehensive management of hip pathology in athletes, as well as the need for ongoing research into long-term joint preservation.

10/31/2025

Friday’s are for our Research Round Up! This weeks article is:

Patients undergoing revision hip arthroscopy with labral reconstruction or labral repair and patient-reported outcomes: a systematic review

Even patients who need a second hip scope have reason for hope. This systematic review looked at outcomes of revision hip arthroscopy comparing labral reconstruction vs. repeat labral repair. Across four studies (330+ revisions), patients showed significant improvements in hip outcome scores after revision surgery, whether the labrum was reconstructed or re-repaired. Rates of additional surgery were somewhat higher in the repair group, but overall results were comparable between techniques, suggesting surgeons can choose the best option per case. The encouraging takeaway is that a setback like residual or new labral damage is not the end of the road - with skillful revision surgery and diligent post-op rehab, patients can still regain function. This reinforces a team mindset: surgeons and PAs tackle the complex re-surgery, and PTs/ATC guide patients through personalized rehabilitation, proving that even challenging cases can get back to active living with collaborative
care.

Park N, Klug T, Patel S, Surucu S, Lee MS, Kardestuncer K, Norman M, Zhu J, Pettinelli NJ, Modrak M, Jimenez AE. Patients Undergoing Revision Hip Arthroscopy With Labral Reconstruction or Labral Repair and Patient-Reported Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2024 Sep 5;12(9):23259671241270356. doi: 10.1177/23259671241270356. PMID: 39247529; PMCID: PMC11378193.

10/16/2025

Hip Mobility: The Key to Knee Injury Prevention in Athletes

Athletes rely on powerful, coordinated lower body movement for peak performance and injury resilience. Research shows that hip mobility and strength are critical for protecting the knee from injury, especially in sports involving running, jumping, and rapid changes of direction. When hip muscles—particularly the abductors and rotators—are weak or inflexible, abnormal movement patterns can develop. These patterns increase stress on the knee, raising the risk of injuries such as ACL tears and patellofemoral pain.

Biomechanical studies demonstrate that impaired hip control can alter knee alignment and loading during athletic tasks. This is especially important for female athletes, who may be more susceptible to hip-related influences on knee mechanics. Interventions that target hip strength and dynamic control—like neuromuscular training and hip-focused exercise programs—are recommended to reduce knee injury risk and improve performance.[1]

The American College of Sports Medicine recommends that team physicians and athletic trainers include hip abductor strengthening and flexibility exercises in conditioning programs for injury prevention. Screening for hip strength and movement quality, and tailoring training to address individual imbalances, are essential steps in keeping athletes healthy and on the field.[2]

In summary, optimizing hip mobility and strength is a cornerstone of effective knee injury prevention for athletes. Incorporating hip-focused exercises into training routines can improve lower limb alignment, enhance performance, and reduce the likelihood of serious knee injuries.

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References

1. Powers CM. The Influence of Abnormal Hip Mechanics on Knee Injury: A Biomechanical Perspective. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(2):42-51. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3337.

2. American College of Sports Medicine. Selected Issues in Injury and Illness Prevention and the Team Physician: A Consensus Statement. Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2016;48(1):159-71. doi:10.1249/MSS.0000000000000827.

10/02/2025

ACL tears aren’t 100% preventable, but the correct training can dramatically decrease injury risk. Below are a few strategies to integrate for ACL injury prevention.

-Proper Warm Up: Be sure to do a thorough regiment of light cardio and dynamic warmups before all activity.
-Strengthen & Balance: Focus strength training on the glutes, hamstrings, and core to keep the knees stable.
-Jump & Land Smart: Practice proper landing mechanics and plyometrics with a strength and conditioning coach, athletic trainer, or physical therapist to limit injury risk.
-Agility Drills: Add quick stops, pivots, and directional changes under control to your training routine to strengthen stability and reactiveness.

09/30/2025

ACL recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. Physical therapy starts within days of surgery and typically lasts 6–9 months. Most athletes return to sport between 9–12 months. This requires daily determination and effort from patients. Proper rehab is key to regaining strength and confidence in whatever activities you want to return to.

09/26/2025

It is common that ACL tears involve other structures in the knee, like the meniscus. During ACL reconstruction, surgeons check the meniscus and cartilage. If there’s a tear, surgeons will repair or trim it in the same procedure. Meniscus repairs sometimes mean a slightly slower rehab timeline but protecting that cartilage now can help prevent arthritis later.

09/24/2025

What happens after a ACL tear? When the ACL is fully torn, it usually can’t heal on its own and requires surgery. During reconstruction surgery, the ligament is rebuilt using a graft for long-term stability. Here you can see a visual using a patellar graft, a common choice for reconstruction. ACL surgery is minimally invasive, arthroscopic, and tailored to each patient’s activity level—whether that’s weekend hiking or varsity football.

09/22/2025

Fall sports are back and so are ACL injuries. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a key stabilizer in your knee. Sudden pivots, awkward landings, or collision sports injuries can cause a tear. The ACL works with other ligaments and cartilage to stabilize the knee. When one is injured, the rest can be at risk too. Up to half of ACL injuries also involve the meniscus—the “shock absorber” structure that cushions the knee. Early evaluation and treatment are key to a smoother road to recovery. Keep an eye out for upcoming posts to learn more about ACL injuries.

08/08/2025

Tomorrow‘s seminar will include demonstration sessions with these community experts covering a range of injury prevention strategies.

Join us tomorrow starting at 9am to see them in action and learn concrete injury prevention skills. Athletes, parents, and sports medicine professional's welcome! Register using link in bio. We look forward to seeing you all there!

08/06/2025

Our next seminar participant is Jenn Palm-Beach (). Jenn is an Athletic Trainer working alongside Dr. Owusu-Akyaw At OrthoVirginia. She brings valuable experience to the importance of injury prevention for young athletes and will join our demonstration sessions to showcase her knowledge.

Join us this Saturday, August 9th at 9am to hear Jenn showcase what prevention looks like in action. Athletes, parents, and sports medicine professional's welcome! Register using link in bio.

Address

7858 Shrader Road
Richmond, VA
23294

Telephone

+18049396688

Website

http://kwadwoowusuakyawmd.com/

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