Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

Orthopedic Conditions We Treat

Kernodle Clinic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine evaluates and treats a wide range of bone, joint, muscle, and sports-related conditions, including:

• Knee pain
• Hip pain
• Shoulder pain
• Elbow pain
• Hand and wrist concerns
• Foot and ankle concerns
• Arthritis and joint pain
• Sports injuries
• Sprains and strains
• Fractures and minor orthopedic trauma
• Tendon and ligament injuries
• Overuse injuries
• Work-related or activity-related injuries
• Joint stiffness or reduced mobility
• Muscle and soft tissue injuries

Orthopedic symptoms can develop from injury, aging, arthritis, overuse, sports participation, or underlying medical conditions. An orthopedic evaluation can help determine the cause of pain and guide the right treatment plan.

Care for Athletes and Active Patients

Sports medicine is not just for competitive athletes. It can help students, weekend warriors, active adults, workers, and older adults recover from injuries and return to normal movement.

Kernodle Clinic’s sports medicine care may support patients with:

• Acute sports injuries
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Ankle sprains
• Muscle strains
• Tendon injuries
• Overuse injuries
• Activity-related joint pain
• Injury prevention and recovery guidance
• Return-to-play or return-to-activity planning

Knee, Hip, Shoulder, and Joint Care

Joint pain can interfere with walking, exercise, work, sleep, and daily activities. Common causes include arthritis, injury, cartilage damage, inflammation, tendon problems, and age-related joint changes.

Patients may benefit from orthopedic care for:

• Persistent knee pain
• Hip pain that affects walking or climbing stairs
• Shoulder pain or limited range of motion
• Arthritis symptoms
• Joint swelling
• Pain after activity
• Pain that does not improve with rest
• Reduced mobility or stiffness
• Difficulty returning to normal activity after an injury

Treatment may begin with non-surgical options, but some patients may need advanced orthopedic care or surgical consultation, depending on the diagnosis.

Advanced Care for Knee and Hip Conditions

For patients with severe arthritis, advanced joint damage, or ongoing pain that limits daily life, knee or hip replacement may be an appropriate treatment option after evaluation.

Patients may want to discuss knee or hip replacement if they have:

• Severe knee or hip pain
• Arthritis that limits daily activities
• Difficulty walking, standing, or using stairs
• Pain that continues despite conservative treatment
• Joint stiffness or loss of motion
• Reduced quality of life due to joint pain

Orthopedic Testing and Evaluation

Orthopedic evaluation may include a physical exam, review of symptoms, imaging, and additional testing when needed.

Depending on your condition, your provider may recommend:

• Physical examination
• X-rays or radiology imaging
• Lab work when clinically appropriate
• Review of prior imaging or medical records
• Evaluation of range of motion, strength, and function
• Follow-up care or referral when additional specialty care is needed

These services help the orthopedic team identify the cause of symptoms and recommend a care plan.

Orthopedic Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the diagnosis, symptom severity, activity level, health history, and patient goals. Orthopedic care may include both non-surgical and surgical options.

Treatment plans may include:

• Medication management
• Bracing or splinting
• Activity modification
• Physical therapy referrals
• Injections, if clinically appropriate
• Fracture or minor trauma care
• Sports injury treatment
• Joint pain management
• Surgical consultation
• Knee or hip replacement evaluation
• Follow-up care and recovery planning

The goal is to reduce pain, improve function, and help patients return to work, sports, exercise, and daily life as safely as possible.

You may benefit from seeing an orthopedic specialist if you have bone, joint, muscle, tendon, or ligament symptoms that do not improve or are affecting your ability to move comfortably.

Common reasons to schedule an orthopedic appointment include:

• Joint pain that lasts more than a few days
• Pain after a fall, accident, or sports injury
• Swelling, bruising, or reduced range of motion
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• Shoulder, knee, hip, ankle, wrist, or elbow pain
• Suspected fracture or minor orthopedic trauma
• Arthritis pain that limits daily activity
• Recurrent sports injuries
• Pain that keeps you from exercising or working
• Injury that does not improve with rest, ice, or over-the-counter care

If you have a severe injury, visible deformity, sudden inability to bear weight, or signs of a medical emergency, seek urgent or emergency care.

Kernodle Clinic Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine combines orthopedic experience, local access, and multi-specialty support for patients in Alamance County and surrounding communities.

Patients choose Kernodle Clinic for orthopedic and sports medicine care because of:

• A full spectrum of orthopedic services
• More than 60 years of serving Alamance County through Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
• Physicians certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
• Fellowship training in knee and hip replacements and sports injury treatment
• Burlington and Mebane locations
• On-site laboratory and radiology services at Kernodle Clinic West and Mebane
• Access to other Kernodle Clinic doctors and specialists when additional care is needed
• Bilingual staff available most weekdays

Zachary Aberman, MD

Stewart Dalton, MD

James Hooten, Jr., MD

Andrew Kubinski, DO, MS

Michael Menz, MD

Sunny H. Patel, MD

J. Jeffrey Poggi, MD

T. Chris Gaines, PA-C

J. Lance McGhee, PA-C

J. Todd Mundy, PA-C, MS

Jordan-Lee Napolitano, PA-C