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Dr. Murphy Answers Frequently Asked Questions about Common Sports Injuries


 

Dr. Paul C. Murphy is a leading sports medicine physician, specializing in knee and shoulder injuries. 

In the videos below, Dr. Murphy discusses the symptoms and treatments of some common sports injuries, and offers helpful advice and techniques to aid in prevention and healing. He also explains his unique approach to diagnosing patients and what to do if you're not sure if you need surgery.

Dr. Murphy is always open to answering your questions regarding sports injuries and maintaining maximum wellness. To set up a consultation or make an appointment, please call our office or make a request online.


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Paul C. Murphy, MD

Sports Medicine Specialist & Orthopedic Surgeon located in La Jolla, San Diego, CA

Dr. Murphy is an orthopedic surgeon who has practiced in San Diego since 1988. He specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He completed his residency in San Diego in 1985, and was Board Certified in 1987 and recertified in 1996 and 2006. He obtained a CAQ (Certificate of Added Qualification) in Sports Medicine in 2012 from the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). His career lead him to serve in the United States Navy as an orthopedic surgeon in Naples where he was head of the Department of Orthopedics for two years. He was also mobilized to serve in Desert Storm in 1991.

In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Murphy cared for trauma patients regularly at Sharp Memorial Hospital, which led to his association with the sport of Supercross in the early 1990s. He would treat the legends of Supercross, including Jeremy McGrath, Mike LaRocco, Bubba Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, and many others. He has become known as the Supercross doctor.

Dr. Murphy would become one of the team orthopedic surgeons for the San Diego Chargers in 1994 and became the head team doctor in 1998. He would continue his role as team doctor for the Chargers until 2002. He would then become a head team physician for the University of San Diego. At the University of San Diego, he would be responsible for caring for all of the athletes who participate in Division I sports including men’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. He would be responsible for instructing student athletic trainers at the University in his role as head team physician.

Dr. Murphy is also the team physician for Cathedral Catholic High School and Saint Augustine High School. He donates his time to high school athletes and runs a free clinic on Saturday mornings in the fall of each year for high school athletes who have been injured in Friday night football games.

Dr. Murphy continues to treat sports medicine injuries, both surgically and nonoperatively, specializing in shoulder and knee injuries. He is one of the very few orthopedic surgeons in the San Diego County and Southern California areas who employs Sonorex treatments (Shock Wave Therapy, a form of lithotripsy) for chronic joint injuries and tendonitis rather than surgery. The most common form of tendonitis includes lateral epicondylitis at the elbow, patellar tendonitis at the knee, Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, and plantar fasciitis at the foot. All of these conditions can now be treated non-operatively with equal success compared to surgery.

Dr. Murphy has been a pioneer of in-office MRI use and outpatient surgery centers that are within his same building, allowing patients to be treated more seamlessly during acute and chronic phases of people’s injuries.

Dr. Murphy is married to his wife, Lynn, and has five children. His free time is spent with his family, surfing or golfing.

Dr. Murphy is an orthopedic surgeon who has practiced in San Diego since 1988. He specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. He completed his residency in San Diego in 1985, and was Board Certified in 1987 and recertified in 1996 and 2006. He obtained a CAQ (Certificate of Added Qualification) in Sports Medicine in 2012 from the American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM). His career lead him to serve in the United States Navy as an orthopedic surgeon in Naples where he was head of the Department of Orthopedics for two years. He was also mobilized to serve in Desert Storm in 1991.

In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Murphy cared for trauma patients regularly at Sharp Memorial Hospital, which led to his association with the sport of Supercross in the early 1990s. He would treat the legends of Supercross, including Jeremy McGrath, Mike LaRocco, Bubba Stewart, Ricky Carmichael, and many others. He has become known as the Supercross doctor.

Dr. Murphy would become one of the team orthopedic surgeons for the San Diego Chargers in 1994 and became the head team doctor in 1998. He would continue his role as team doctor for the Chargers until 2002. He would then become a head team physician for the University of San Diego. At the University of San Diego, he would be responsible for caring for all of the athletes who participate in Division I sports including men’s football, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s soccer, and women’s volleyball. He would be responsible for instructing student athletic trainers at the University in his role as head team physician.

Dr. Murphy is also the team physician for Cathedral Catholic High School and Saint Augustine High School. He donates his time to high school athletes and runs a free clinic on Saturday mornings in the fall of each year for high school athletes who have been injured in Friday night football games.

Dr. Murphy continues to treat sports medicine injuries, both surgically and nonoperatively, specializing in shoulder and knee injuries. He is one of the very few orthopedic surgeons in the San Diego County and Southern California areas who employs Sonorex treatments (Shock Wave Therapy, a form of lithotripsy) for chronic joint injuries and tendonitis rather than surgery. The most common form of tendonitis includes lateral epicondylitis at the elbow, patellar tendonitis at the knee, Achilles tendonitis at the ankle, and plantar fasciitis at the foot. All of these conditions can now be treated non-operatively with equal success compared to surgery.

Dr. Murphy has been a pioneer of in-office MRI use and outpatient surgery centers that are within his same building, allowing patients to be treated more seamlessly during acute and chronic phases of people’s injuries.

Dr. Murphy is married to his wife, Lynn, and has five children. His free time is spent with his family, surfing or golfing.


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What we offer

Services

About the Practice

Photo of team

Welcome to Murphy SportsMedicine Center, the practice of Paul C. Murphy, MD. Dr. Murphy is a board certified orthopedic surgeon who treats the entire range of orthopedic problems, and specializes in arthroscopic shoulder surgery, arthroscopic knee surgery and hand surgery. Dr. Murphy and his staff are proud to offer the best surgical as well as nonsurgical treatment options for their patients.

Dr.Murphy and his therapy staff are able to successfully treat most of their patients without surgery, but when surgery is required, the most minimally invasive option is chosen. Our goal is to be the most efficient, convenient, and best provider for all your orthopedic needs.

Whether you are recovering from an injury or working to improve strength, coordination and flexibility, our team of skilled physicians, physical therapists and athletic trainers will develop a comprehensive plan to meet your goals.

At Murphy Sportsmedicine Center we recognize the value of every individual and are committed to excellence by providing exemplary care and support for each of our patients and their families. We support the University of San Diego, Cathedral Catholic High School and the entire San Diego athletic community through the dedication of our staff, time and resources to their athletic programs.

Understanding the physiology of common sports injuries and the rigorous environment to which most patients will return, the team is able to prepare unique treatment plans for rapid recovery and optimal long term results. Injuries and overuse conditions of young athletes, professional athletes and weekend warriors alike are treated first nonsurgically with physical therapy as well as injection, ultrasound and shockwave therapies, in order to restore function and strength to the injured limb.

Murphy SportsMedicine Center is conveniently located in San Diego county near La Jolla. Our office is equipped with the latest technology in sports medicine and orthopedic care. We also offer a range of imaging services, including an on-site x-ray machine.

Major Insurance Providers Accepted

HereĀ is a short list of just some of the plans we accept. Please contact our office if you do not see your insurance provider listed.

Aetna
AIG
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
Assurant Health
Asuris Northwest Health
Bankers Life and Casualty Company
Blue Cross
CDPHP
CHAMPVA
Cigna
ConnectiCare
Coventry Health Care
Culinary Health Fund
Deseret Mutual
Empire Plan
First Choice Health

Location

Murphy SportsMedicine Center
8929 University Center Lane, Suite 210
La Jolla

San Diego, CA 92122
Phone: 858-657-0000
Fax: 858-657-0003

Office Hours

Get in touch

858-657-0000