Grant H. Garcia, MD

10/24/2025

🌙💤 Game-Changer for Pro Athletes: The Power of Sleep! 💤🌙

Think performance is all about the gym or practice field? 🏋️‍♂️⚡ Think
again! Our latest Sports Doc Talk Short dives into one of the most
overlooked performance enhancers — SLEEP 😴🔥

When elite athletes close their eyes, their bodies are doing some of the
hardest work:

💪 Muscle repair

🧠 Memory consolidation

⚡ Hormone regulation

🚫 Injury prevention

🎥 Watch the short here 👇

👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/D2dPFtAe7pg?si=nopDUN7rPcXWkQ89

Then catch the FULL EPISODE to see how sleep, force plate data, and
recovery science all come together to keep pros at the top of their game
🏆📊

🎧 Full episode here 👇

👉 https://youtu.be/Q-0EkFx70Fo?si=PQQ5_5JPmfpX6RJF

🩺 Hosted by:

Dr. Grant Garcia & William Sanchez

🎙 Brought to you by The Recovery Shop

👉 https://youtube.com/shorts/D2dPFtAe7pg?si=nopDUN7rPcXWkQ89





😴🌙💪🔥

10/23/2025

🩺 Elbow Blog #11: Diagnosing UCL Tears 🩺

The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is critical for elbow stability,
especially in throwers and overhead athletes. When it’s injured, the right
diagnosis is the key first step to recovery.

In this latest blog + video, I break down:

👉 The most common symptoms of a UCL tear (pain on the inside of the elbow,
loss of velocity, instability)

👉 How physical exam maneuvers help identify UCL injury ⚡

👉 The role of advanced imaging like MRI and ultrasound in confirming the
diagnosis

👉 Why early and accurate diagnosis is so important for treatment planning
and long-term outcomes

💡 A missed or delayed diagnosis can mean prolonged pain, further ligament
damage, and even career-ending consequences for competitive athletes. With
the right workup, we can create a tailored plan — whether that’s rehab,
biologics, or surgical reconstruction.

🔗 Learn more here:

UCL Reconstruction & Repair — Dr. Grant Garcia

https://www.grantgarciamd.com/ucl-repair-shoulder-knee-sports-surgeon-seattle-bellevue-everett-kirkland-wa.html

https://www.grantgarciamd.com/ucl-reconstruction-repair-shoulder-knee-sports-surgeon-seattle-bellevue-everett-kirkland-wa.html

10/22/2025

🚀✈️ 48-HOUR SEATTLE ➜ FLORIDA INNOVATION BLITZ WITH ARTHREX

Just returned from an action-packed 48 hours at Arthrex headquarters in
Florida, and I can confidently say — the future of shoulder surgery has
never looked brighter. 🔥

We spent the trip deep in cutting-edge research and development,
collaborating on advanced shoulder solutions that will elevate surgical
precision, speed recovery, and push biologic augmentation even further.
From lots of research and development testing to high-level strategy
sessions, this was true innovation in motion.

🎥 Also had the opportunity to film new educational content — can’t wait to
share these videos with surgeons and patients soon. Arthrex continues to
invest heavily in global surgeon education, and it’s an honor to contribute.

What excites me most? The bold direction we’re taking with:

⚡ Minimally invasive techniques

🧬 Biologic augmentation & healing acceleration

🤖 Smarter instrumentation + next-gen implants

🌍 Global scalability for surgeons at every experience level

Every trip to Arthrex is a reminder that they’re not reacting to the future
— they’re building it. And I’m proud to play a part in shaping what’s next
for shoulder preservation and reconstruction.

Stay tuned — major things are coming. 💪🏽🔧🏁

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10/21/2025

🔥 Unique Knee Case Spotlight! 🔥

One of the most rewarding parts of my practice is seeing complex cases come
together with excellent results. Recently, we had a patient undergo a
staged surgical plan combining:

🦵 ACL repair with Arthrex TightRope

🧬 MACI cartilage restoration

🦴 TTO (tibial tubercle osteotomy)

🛡️ MPFL reconstruction

➡️ The outcome? A stable, pain-free knee, restored cartilage, and the
ability to return to high-level activity. 🙌

💡 Why this case is special:

🔹 ACL preservation — when possible — maintains native anatomy &
proprioception.

🔹 MACI provides a cutting-edge option for durable cartilage repair,
improving long-term outcomes.

🔹 TTO + MPFL address patellar alignment and instability, protecting both
ligament and cartilage work.

🔹 With today’s advanced tools, rehab protocols, and surgical planning,
patients experience less stiffness, faster recovery, and better durability.
🚀

This is a great example of how modern sports medicine doesn’t just fix one
problem — it treats the whole knee to maximize success. 🌟

📄 Learn more:

🔗 ACL Preservation & Repair

https://www.grantgarciamd.com/acl-preservation-acl-repair-surgery-shoulder-knee-sports-surgeon-seattle-bellevue-everett-kirkland-wa.html

🔗 Cartilage Restoration (MACI)

https://www.grantgarciamd.com/matrix-induced-chondrocyte-implantation-shoulder-knee-sports-surgeon-seattle-bellevue-everett-kirkland-wa.html

🔗 Patient Testimonials

https://www.grantgarciamd.com/testimonials-shoulder-knee-sports-surgeon-seattle-bellevue-everett-kirkland-wa.html





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10/20/2025

How to Get Rid of Sore Muscles: 10 Relief Tips.

It's common for your muscles to feel sore after a workout, particularly if it's a new exercise for you or a more intense session. Experts call this delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS), and it happens after physical activity that puts an unaccustomed load on your muscles. Whether muscle soreness is....

10/17/2025

🔥🏋️‍♂️ Unlock the Power of Force Plate Testing! ⚡📊

Ever wonder how elite athletes fine-tune every movement to gain that extra
edge? 💪🏈 In our latest Sports Doc Talk Short, we break down the science
of force plate testing — where data meets performance. 📉➡️📈

🎥 Watch the short here 👇

👉 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QC3wRcfL7rU

💡 What you’ll see:

How force plates detect even the smallest asymmetries ⚖️

Real-time insights on jump mechanics and explosive strength 💥

How this data helps prevent injuries and optimize rehab 🔬🦵

Then, go beyond the highlight reel and catch the FULL EPISODE where we dive
into:

✅ The evolution of performance testing technology

✅ How trainers and surgeons use it to guide recovery

✅ Real stories from athletes who transformed their return-to-play game

🎧 Full Episode here 👇

👉 https://youtu.be/Q-0EkFx70Fo?si=PQQ5_5JPmfpX6RJF

🎙 Hosted by:

Dr. Grant Garcia & William Sanchez

💥 Presented by The Recovery Shop

👉 https://www.youtube.com/shorts/QC3wRcfL7rU





🎧💪🔥

10/16/2025

⚾💥 Elbow Blog #10: Intro to UCL Tears 💥⚾

Ever heard of “Tommy John” surgery? That’s for the UCL — the key ligament
on the inside of your elbow that keeps it stable during throwing. When it
tears, athletes often feel pain, looseness, or a sudden drop in
performance. 🚫💪

In this blog, I cover:

👉 What the UCL does & why it matters

👉 Common signs of a tear (pain, instability, velocity drop)

👉 When rehab works 🏋️‍♂️ vs. when surgery (UCL reconstruction) is the
best path forward 🩺

👉 What recovery looks like after repair 🔑

Don’t ignore elbow pain — catching it early can change your outcome!

🔗 Read more here: http://grantgarciamd.com/ucl-reconstruction-repair-shoulder-knee-sports-surgeon-seattle-bellevue-everett-kirkland-wa.html

10/13/2025

Ankles may hold the key to new osteoarthritis therapy.

The ankle’s ability to regenerate cartilage uses the same mechanisms that enable some animals to grow new limbs, and it could be harnessed to repair cartilage in knees and hips hobbled by osteoarthritis

10/10/2025

🎙️🔥 SPORTS DOC TALK — Mindset Clip

🎥 Watch now: https://youtube.com/shorts/J_Wvkxo1QBQ?si=EaskFc1mfWY_oG56

In this 60-second hit, we break down why mental performance coaching is a true competitive edge—the difference between knowing what to do and executing when it counts. 🧠⚡️

In the clip you’ll hear about:

• Turning pressure into performance with simple, repeatable routines ⏱️🔁

• How confidence is built (not gifted)—and why consistency beats hype 💪✨

• A practical decision flow athletes can use mid-game to stay composed 🎯

• Quick tools (breath, self-talk, focus cues) to get back on track in seconds 🫁🗣️

Hosted by Dr. Grant Garcia & Will Sanchez — All Sports. All Orthopedics. All the time. 🏃‍♂️🏋️‍♀️

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

10/08/2025

💥 Elbow Blog #9: Living With Chronic Elbow Instability 💥

While a single elbow dislocation can be scary, chronic elbow instability is even more challenging. Patients often describe their elbow as “slipping,” “loose,” or feeling like it might give out during simple movements — pushing up from a chair, lifting weights, or even reaching overhead.

In this blog, I dive into:

👉 Why instability develops — repeated dislocations, sports trauma, or ligament laxity that never fully healed.

👉 The role of the LCL (lateral collateral ligament) in keeping the elbow stable, and why injuries here are so disruptive.

👉 When conservative care works — bracing, rest, and targeted rehab can help in milder cases.

👉 When surgery is needed — for athletes, laborers, or anyone with significant instability, an LCL reconstruction provides the stability needed to restore function and prevent long-term cartilage damage.
———————————————

🩺 The good news: With proper diagnosis and treatment, most patients regain confidence in their elbow and return to the activities they love. Early treatment makes the biggest difference in outcomes.

10/08/2025

XSTEM’s Knee Osteoarthritis Stem Cell Trial: Mid-Study Update, Safety and Positive Efficacy.

Xintela has released interim data from its ongoing clinical study evaluating its stem cell product, XSTEM, in patients with knee osteoarthritis. XSTEM is an allogeneic adipose stem cell therapy, consisting of integrin α10β1-selected mesenchymal stem cells. At 18 months post-treatment, the company ...

10/03/2025

🤲 Elbow Blog #8: Elbow Instability — When Stability Fails 🤲

If your elbow ever feels like it might “give out,” makes clicking or catching motions, or swells after a dislocation or injury — that could be instability, especially involving the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) complex.

In this week’s post I cover:

🧠 What elbow instability means — the role of ligaments (like the LCL / LUCL), and why their integrity matters for everyday movement and athletic performance.

⚠️ Signs & symptoms to watch for: frequent feeling of looseness, pain on the outside of the elbow, difficulty with extension, or trouble pushing off surfaces.

🔍 Diagnosis: how physicians assess instability (clinical exam, imaging), and the kinds of instability patterns seen in practice.

🛠️ Treatment paths: from non-surgical management like bracing and therapy, to LCL reconstruction when ligament injury is severe or chronic.

💡 Early recognition & treatment of elbow instability is critical — delay can lead to ongoing pain, loss of motion, cartilage wear, even recurrent dislocations.