Experts in the Field of Sports Medicine

No one wants to be sidelined by a sports injury. And with the kick-off of the spring season, that includes professional soccer players. As the official hospital partner of D.C. United, Virginia Hospital Center is helping the team's star athletes stay in shape and minimize injuries. Complementing the physician expertise, sports medicine services provided by the Hospital include advanced musculoskeletal imaging, pre-participation physical exams and cardiac evaluations as well as physical therapy and sports massage.

"D.C. United is a first-class organization and it's an honor helping to keep its players at the top of their game," says orthopedic surgeon Christopher C. Annunziata, MD of Commonwealth Orthopaedics, who has been affiliated with the team since 2001. He became official team physician in 2004 and provides team care in partnership with internist Timothy D. Muir, MD. "With four MLS Cups under their belt, they are the most successful franchise in the history of U.S. Major League Soccer. They are what every other team in the league aspires to be."

Sports medicine services at Virginia Hospital Center carry an equally impressive track record—and soccer isn't the only game. In fact, several of the Hospital's doctors serve as team physicians or consulting specialists for other professional sports teams, including the Washington Capitals and the Washington Redskins. In addition, many of them are very involved with athletic programs at more than 12 area high schools and local universities.

The Nirschl Orthopaedic Center runs the Washington metro area's only sports medicine fellowship at Virginia Hospital Center, which provides advanced training to two orthopedic sports medicine fellows and two to four primary care sports medicine fellows per year. Robert P. Nirschl, MD is the Director of the fellowship and Drs. Eric J. Guidi, Frank A. Pettrone and Patrick St. Pierre are Co-Directors.

With some of the region's most respected and published orthopedic surgeons at its core, the Hospital utilizes state-of-the-art imaging equipment for the diagnosis of sports injuries and musculoskeletal problems. "MRI is a technology that we use frequently for diagnosis and surgical planning," says Dr. St. Pierre. "Many sports injuries involve ligaments and tendons, which MRI allows us to see."