Login
Create Account
Avoid Membership Suspension! Pay Your Dues by Feb. 28

We will be performing site maintenance on AAOS.org on February 4th, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 AM CST, which may cause sitewide downtime. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Education / Resident Orthopaedic Core Knowledge (ROCK) / Program Content / Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine

Editors: Brian R. Wolf, MD, FAAOS (2020-2025), C. Benjamin Ma, MD, FAAOS (2020-present), Brian R. Waterman, MD, FAAOS (2026-present)

NOTE: The denotation “(overlap)” implies chapter is listed in this section and another subspecialty section. For example, "Physical Examination of the Shoulder" is listed in both Sports Medicine and Shoulder and Elbow sections.

Section 1: General Principles

  • The Biology and Biomechanics of Grafts and Implants in Sports Medicine Surgery
  • Current Applications of Orthobiologic Agents
  • The Team Physician and the Ethics of Sports Medicine

Section 2: Medical Aspects of Sports Participation

  • Medical Aspects of Sports Participation: Cardiac Issues in Athletes
  • Concussion and Other Neurologic Injuries
  • Female Athlete Triad
  • Environmental Conditions: Heat-Related Illness
  • Infectious Disease in the Athlete
  • Medical Aspects of Sports Participation: Sports Nutrition
  • Sport Psychology
  • Strength Training and Conditioning in the Young Athlete

Section 3: Hip and Pelvis

  • Anatomy of the Hip
  • Physical Examination of the Hip
  • Athletic Hip Injuries
  • Hip Arthroscopy
  • Femoroacetabular Impingement Syndrome
  • Imaging of the Hip and Pelvis

Section 4: Lower Extremity

  • Athletic Pubalgia and Core Muscle Injury
  • Muscle Injuries: Hip Abductor Tendon Injuries, Proximal Hamstring Injuries, and Rectus Femoris Avulsions
  • Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Knee
  • Physical Examination of the Knee
  • Imaging of the Knee
  • Knee Arthroscopy
  • Articular Cartilage Injury and Management
  • Nonarthroplasty Management of Knee Osteoarthritis
  • Extensor Mechanism Injuries
  • Meniscal Injuries
  • Patellofemoral Joint Disorders/Patellofemoral Instability
  • Ligamentous Injuries of the Knee: Collateral Ligament Injuries
  • Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries 
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
  • Cruciate Ligament Injuries in the Skeletally Immature Athlete
  • Ligamentous Injuries of the Knee: Failed Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery
  • Ligamentous Injuries of the Knee: Multiligamentous Knee Injuries
  • Anatomy of the Ankle for the Sports Medicine Surgeon
  • Ankle Arthroscopy
  • Imaging of the Lower Extremity
  • Ankle and Foot Disorders in Athletes
  • Physical Examination of the Foot and Ankle (overlap)
  • Shoulder Anatomy and Function (overlap)

Section 5: Upper Extremity

  • Shoulder Arthroscopy 
  • Elbow Arthroscopy
  • Athletic Injuries of the Hand and Wrist
  • Physical Examination of the Shoulder (overlap)
  • Imaging of Shoulder Arthritis: Classification Schemes (overlap)
  • Imaging of Rotator Cuff Disease (overlap)
  • Imaging of Shoulder Instability (overlap)
  • Rotator Cuff Disease: Natural History and Basic Science of Tendon Tears, Repair, and Healing (overlap)
  • Rotator Cuff Disease: Impingement Syndrome, Calcific Tendinitis, Partial-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears, and Full-Thickness Rotator Cuff Tears (overlap)
  • Rotator Cuff Disease: Massive Rotator Cuff Tears and Tendon Transfer (overlap)
  • Massive Rotator Cuff Tears and Superior Capsule Reconstruction (overlap)
  • Massive Rotator Cuff Tears: Biologic Augmentation of Rotator Cuff Repair (overlap)
  • Anterior Shoulder Instability (overlap)
  • Posterior Shoulder Instability (overlap)
  • Shoulder Instability: Multidirectional Instability (overlap)
  • Shoulder Instability: Assessment of Bone Loss and Instability (overlap)
  • Shoulder Instability: Management of Bone Loss and Instabilty (overlap)
  • Shoulder Stiffness: Adhesive Capsulitis (overlap)
  • Posttraumatic and Postoperative Shoulder Stiffness (overlap)
  • Throwing Shoulder Injuries and Internal Impingement (overlap)
  • SICK Scapula Syndrome (overlap)
  • Throwing Shoulder Injuries: Superior Labrum Anterior to Posterior Tears and Proximal Biceps Tendon Lesions (overlap)
  • Acromioclavicular Joint Arthritis and Pathology (overlap)
  • Throwing Elbow Injuries  (overlap)
  • Medial and Lateral Elbow Enthesopathy (Epicondylitis) (overlap)
  • Shoulder Trauma: Scapular and Glenoid Fractures (overlap)
  • Elbow Repair and Reconstruction: Distal Biceps and Triceps Tendon Conditions (overlap)

Section 6: Rehabilitation

  • Rehabilitation of Rotator Cuff Disorders
  • Rehabilitation for Shoulder and Elbow Injuries in Overhead Athletes
  • Hip Rehabilitation 
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention
  • Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation

Section 7: Miscellaneous Topics

  • Cervical Spine Injuries and Disorders in Athletes
  • Lumbar Spine Injuries and Disorders in Athletes
  • Diagnostic Ultrasonography and Ultrasonographic-Guided Procedures
  • Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome
  • Stress Fractures