Curriculum
Drawing on the expertise of skilled orthopedic sports medicine surgeons, athletic trainers and physical therapists, we work collaboratively to develop a treatment plan for each patient from the initial assessment through rehabilitation and recovery. Houston Methodist’s surgeons specialize in the diagnosis and treatment of all athletic injuries, while offering special expertise in reconstructive surgery and arthroscopic surgery. The fellowship emphasizes hands-on training in a high-volume setting, focusing on special procedures:
Rotation Schedule
A typical rotation with any faculty member would include two clinic days per week, two surgical days and a research day each week. The fellow will cover an assigned high school training room for a few hours each Monday during football season. The participating facilities are: Houston Methodist Hospital, Kirby Surgery Center (ASC) and First Street Surgery Center (ASC).
Rotation with David Lintner, MD
This rotation has a surgical case mix of approximately 60 percent shoulder/30 percent knee/10 percent elbow. This rotation focuses on throwing shoulder and elbow, including UCL reconstruction. Rotator cuff repair, multi-ligament knee reconstruction and articular cartilage restoration procedures are also performed on this rotation. This rotation includes the evaluation and treatment of professional baseball players, as well as scholastic and recreational athletes. He is the head team physician for the Houston Astros and team physician for the Houston Texans.
Rotation with Patrick McCulloch, MD
On this rotation, the fellows will gain exposure to a busy referral sports medicine practice. This rotation has the highest surgical volume with approximately 50% shoulder and elbow and 50% knee procedures. This includes arthroscopic and open shoulder cases including arthroplasty. There is a focus on joint preservation surgery, including osteochondral allografts, MACI, osteotomies and meniscus transplant. He is the head team physician for Rice University, team physician for the Houston Astros, Houston Ballet and is a surgical consultant to the NASA Astronaut Corps. Dr. McCulloch also directs the educational program including the conference schedule and bioskills cadaver labs.
Rotation with Joshua Harris, MD
This rotation focuses almost exclusively on hip arthroscopy, with exposure to one of the highest volume hip arthroscopists in the country. Hip arthroscopy comprises 95% of the surgical cases on this rotation. In-office evaluation of athletic hip pain, hip pain in dancers and treatment of the hip in a non-arthritic population is the primary objective. Dr. Harris works with the Houston Ballet.
Rotation with Taylor Brown, MD
This rotation focuses on general sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, including knee, shoulder and elbow. This is a split rotation with Dr. Harris.
- Knee surgery: ligament repairs, ligament reconstructions, meniscal repairs, meniscal transplant and cartilage transplantation
- Shoulder surgery: arthroscopic rotator cuff surgery, labral repairs, open shoulder instability surgery, and shoulder arthroplasty
- Elbow surgery: elbow arthroscopy, biceps and triceps repairs, Tommy John reconstruction
- Complex surgeries, including revision surgery for failed knee and shoulder surgeries
- Hip surgery: hip arthroscopy, labral repairs and reconstruction, FAI treatment and related procedures
- Prehabilitation and rehabilitation, providing patients with instruction on how to avoid injuries, rehabilitation methods, and safe, effective ways to return to their sports
Rotation Schedule
A typical rotation with any faculty member would include two clinic days per week, two surgical days and a research day each week. The fellow will cover an assigned high school training room for a few hours each Monday during football season. The participating facilities are: Houston Methodist Hospital, Kirby Surgery Center (ASC) and First Street Surgery Center (ASC).
Rotation with David Lintner, MD
This rotation has a surgical case mix of approximately 60 percent shoulder/30 percent knee/10 percent elbow. This rotation focuses on throwing shoulder and elbow, including UCL reconstruction. Rotator cuff repair, multi-ligament knee reconstruction and articular cartilage restoration procedures are also performed on this rotation. This rotation includes the evaluation and treatment of professional baseball players, as well as scholastic and recreational athletes. He is the head team physician for the Houston Astros and team physician for the Houston Texans.
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Training Room | Research |
| Tuesday | Office (Outpatient) | Office (Outpatient) |
| Wednesday | OR (Surgery) | OR (Surgery) |
| Thursday | OR (Surgery) | OR (Surgery) |
| Friday | Office (Outpatient) | Research |
Rotation with Patrick McCulloch, MD
On this rotation, the fellows will gain exposure to a busy referral sports medicine practice. This rotation has the highest surgical volume with approximately 50% shoulder and elbow and 50% knee procedures. This includes arthroscopic and open shoulder cases including arthroplasty. There is a focus on joint preservation surgery, including osteochondral allografts, MACI, osteotomies and meniscus transplant. He is the head team physician for Rice University, team physician for the Houston Astros, Houston Ballet and is a surgical consultant to the NASA Astronaut Corps. Dr. McCulloch also directs the educational program including the conference schedule and bioskills cadaver labs.
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Office (Outpatient) | Office (Outpatient) |
| Tuesday | OR (Surgery) | OR (Surgery) |
| Wednesday | Office (Outpatient) | NASA/Research |
| Thursday | OR (Surgery) | OR (Surgery) |
| Friday | Office (Outpatient) | OR (Surgery)/Research |
Rotation with Joshua Harris, MD
This rotation focuses almost exclusively on hip arthroscopy, with exposure to one of the highest volume hip arthroscopists in the country. Hip arthroscopy comprises 95% of the surgical cases on this rotation. In-office evaluation of athletic hip pain, hip pain in dancers and treatment of the hip in a non-arthritic population is the primary objective. Dr. Harris works with the Houston Ballet.
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Office (Outpatient) | Office (Outpatient) |
| Tuesday | OR (Surgery) | OR (Surgery) |
| Wednesday | Office (Outpatient) | Research |
| Thursday | OR (Surgery) | OR (Surgery) |
| Friday | Office (Outpatient) | Research |
Rotation with Taylor Brown, MD
This rotation focuses on general sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery, including knee, shoulder and elbow. This is a split rotation with Dr. Harris.
| Day | AM | PM |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Office (Outpatient) | Office (Outpatient) |
| Tuesday | Office (Outpatient) | Office (Outpatient) |
| Wednesday | OR (Surgery) | Research |
| Thursday | Office (Outpatient) | Office (Outpatient) |
| Friday | OR (Surgery) | Office (Outpatient) |