Michael Medvecky, MD

Michael Medvecky, MD, chief of Yale Medicine Sports Medicine, is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in athletic injuries, especially to the knee and shoulder. He treats adults and adolscents who injure themselves in high-level competition, as well as “weekend warriors.” He is an active member of the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation’s coverage of Yale-New Haven Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center, where he helps care for people with multiple traumatic injuries.

Orthopaedics has changed significantly even in the past five years, says Dr. Medvecky. Depending on the situation, he draws upon the latest approaches to both arthroscopic (minimally invasive) and traditional surgery—and also uses nonsurgical techniques—to treat ligament, meniscus and articular cartilage injuries.

But he believes the first step in making a good diagnosis is to listen to the patient. “I personally learn so much from my patients,” says Dr. Medvecky. “In medicine and surgery, probably 80 to 90 percent of what the diagnosis is, they’re going to tell you. And then it’s matching up your physical examination with their story and deciding upon the need for further testing or imaging to assist in the confirmation of the diagnosis.”

An associate professor of orthopaedics & rehabilitation at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Medvecky cared for members of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and the Cincinnati Bengals early in his career. He is now the lead orthopaedic surgeon for the Yale University Athletic Department. He has played an active role in regional athletic event coverage, serving as covering physician for the WTA Connecticut Open tennis tournament and the New Haven Road Race for more than 10 years.

Dr. Medvecky works with other Yale Medicine Sports Medicine physicians, as well as athletic trainers and physical therapists, to promote the use of ACL injury-prevention strength and conditioning programs, in a proactive effort to minimize injury occurrence. As part of his efforts to promote health and safety in youth and adult athletics, he serves on the Connecticut State Medical Society’s Committee on the Medical Aspects of Sports. Connecticut Magazine has included Dr. Medvecky in its annual lists of Top Docs in the state.