Mark H. Getelman, MD - Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

08/22/2025

08/20/2025

32 hours, 135 miles, 118° heat — the Badwater 135 is the hardest race on Earth. Ultrarunners rely on dedicated crews to battle Death Valley’s brutal conditions. Without them, finishing is nearly impossible.

Every year, ultrarunners sign up to compete in a brutal race that stretches 135 miles across Death Valley in the high heat of summer. Because of its harsh conditions, the Badwater 135 is perhaps the most intensely crewed ultra in the world, and without these dedicated support teams, for most, the ra...

08/19/2025

Rotator cuff tendonitis? You’ve got options. Here’s how Dr. Getelman approaches treatment

Non-Surgical First:
🔹 Rest & activity modification
🔹 Ice, anti-inflammatory meds
🔹 Steroid injections
🔹 Physical therapy

Surgical Options (if needed):
🔹 Arthroscopic inspection & cleanup
🔹 Bone spur removal
🔹 Bursal tissue removal
🔹 Tendon repair

He’ll tailor the plan based on your exact injury.

Rotator cuff tendonitis occurs gradually in many patients as the rotator cuff muscle-tendon units become inflamed from repetitive overuse.

08/15/2025

Fell hard on your shoulder? You might’ve separated your AC joint.
Treatment depends on severity:
1️⃣ Mild sprain – rest + PT
2️⃣ Partial tear – non-op unless symptoms persist
3️⃣ Full tear – some need surgery (esp. athletes)
4️⃣–6️⃣ Rare + usually surgical

Get the right plan ➡️ https://lasportsorthomd.com/shoulder-separations-joint-sprains-mma-rugby-lacrosse-athletes-los-angeles/

Athletes who participate in MMA, martial arts, rugby, football and soccer are more susceptible to shoulder separations and AC Joint injuries.

08/13/2025

The medial collateral ligament (MCL) helps stabilize your inner knee. It can get injured during:
✅ Football tackles
✅ Awkward jump landings
✅ Dirt bike accidents

Here’s how MCL injuries are graded:
🔹 Grade I – Mild: ligament stretched but intact
🔹 Grade II – Moderate: partial tear
🔹 Grade III – Severe: complete tear

Treatment depends on severity — and sometimes surgery isn't needed at all.

Medial collateral ligament injuries can range from a simple stretch to a complete MCL tear. An MCL injury can occur when the outside of the knee is hit.

08/12/2025

The clock is ticking on these 11 teams. CPF aspirations are high, investments are huge — but too many losses have fans running out of patience.

Are these teams finally feeling the pressure?

CFP aspirations. Major investments. Too many losses. Fans are never patient, but these teams' might have a right.

08/08/2025

Information Overload = Injury Risk?

Tracking every biomechanical metric might be hurting your performance — and your body. A physical therapist explains why sometimes, less is more when it comes to movement data.

A physical therapist explains how chasing “perfect” running data and metrics can lead to injury—and what to do instead.

08/05/2025

Shoulder Pain When You Move?

Overuse + poor scapula motion = bursitis and grinding. Dr. Getelman treats snapping scapula syndrome to get you back to your sport, your gym, your life. Here is what you should know 👇

Snapping scapula typically begins when the soft tissues between the shoulder blade and chest wall thicken and become inflamed from overuse.

08/01/2025

The Female Athlete Triad is real and can derail your season:
➡️ Energy deficiency
➡️ Hormone disruption
➡️ Bone breakdown

Let’s talk about performance and preservation.

Research has shown several physical and chemical differences in the male and female athlete affect the body’s ability to stay healthy and injury free.

07/30/2025

He didn’t light up radars in high school.
He wasn’t a phenom at 21.
But at 26, Tarik Skubal became a problem — for every hitter in baseball.

"I wasn't good until I was 26," the All-Star pitcher says. How he rose from Little League lore to Cy Young.

07/29/2025

Tendonitis that won’t heal? Dr. Getelman provides advanced surgical solutions — from platelet rich plasma to arthroscopy — built around your lifestyle and goals. Learn more 👇

Patellar tendonitis, referred to as jumper’s knee, is an overuse injury that causes pain at the front and bottom of the kneecap.