Michael Medvecky, MD, is an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in athletic injuries, especially to the knee and shoulder. He treats adults and adolescents who injure themselves in high-level competition, as well as “weekend warriors.” He is also an active member of the Department of Orthopaedics’s coverage of Yale New Haven Hospital’s Level 1 Trauma Center, where he helps care for people with severe or 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.”
Dr. Medvecky presently serves as the vice chair for faculty affairs for the Department of Orthopaedics & Rehabilitation and is an associate professor 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 head team physician and head orthopaedic surgeon to the WNBA Connecticut Sun, women’s professional basketball team and the New England Black Wolves, men’s professional indoor lacrosse team of the National Lacrosse League, both based at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
He also serves as an orthopaedic surgery consultant to 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 15 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.
