Why a Primary Care Sports Medicine (PCSM) Provider Should Be Your First Stop for Orthopedic & Sports Injury Care
- Sean Bradley MD
- Aug 23
- 5 min read
with Sean Bradley, MD — Atrium MSKI Orthopedics & Sports Medicine–Waxhaw
When you’re hurt, start with Primary Care Sports Medicine (PCSM). You’ll get a fast, accurate diagnosis, evidence‑based conservative treatment, and a coordinated plan to return safely to work, sport, and life—without unnecessary imaging, medications, or surgery.
Meet Dr. Sean Bradley, MD
Dr. Sean Bradley is a fellowship‑trained Primary Care Sports Medicine physician with Atrium Health MSKI Orthopedics & Sports Medicine– Waxhaw. He is a former team physician for the New Orleans Pelicans, Southern University, and several other professional teams throughout his career, such as the Cleveland Guardians & Cleveland Cavaliers. Whether you’re a high school athlete, a collegiate competitor, or an active adult, Dr. Bradley brings expertise in keeping you healthy and active.
About Dr. Sean Bradley & Our Community
Sean Bradley, MD leads Primary Care Sports Medicine at Atrium MSKI Orthopedics & Sports Medicine–Waxhaw, serving athletes and active families across Union County and South Charlotte. Dr. Bradley is currently a team physician for:
Marvin Ridge High School
Parkwood High School
Cuthbertson High School
Wingate University
From Friday night lights to weekend 5Ks, we partner with local coaches, athletic trainers, and therapists to keep our community moving—safely.
What is Primary Care Sports Medicine (PCSM)?
Primary Care Sports Medicine physicians are non‑surgical musculoskeletal (MSK) experts. We blend advanced training in sports injuries and orthopedic conditions with a personalized approach. We treat everyone—from recreational walkers and weekend gardeners to competitive athletes and tactical professionals. With the modernization in MSK ultrasound, we are able to not only diagnose injuries more effectively in real-time, but also safety and accurately deliver injections to almost anywhere in the body.
Training at a glance:
Medical school + residency (Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Emergency Medicine, or Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation)
1–2 year Sports Medicine fellowship
Ongoing board certification and sideline/event coverage experience
What we do: Diagnose and manage bone, joint, tendon, muscle, and nerve problems; provide image‑guided procedures; coordinate rehab; and decide when imaging or surgical referral is truly needed.
Why Start With a PCSM Provider?
1) Faster, more accurate diagnosis. PCSM doctors perform targeted MSK exams and often use point‑of‑care ultrasound in the room to see tendons, ligaments, and joints in motion.
2) Conservative care first. Most MSK injuries heal without surgery. We prioritize the right mix of activity modification, rehabilitation, bracing/taping, medications when appropriate, and image‑guided injections.
3) Less time and cost. Starting in the right place avoids unnecessary ER/urgent care visits, duplicate imaging, and delays in getting a treatment plan that actually works for your goals.
4) Return‑to‑sport expertise. We build progressive return‑to‑play (RTP) or return‑to‑work (RTW) plans that reduce re‑injury risk and align with sport rules, job duties, and your life.
5) Coordination when you need a surgeon. If surgery is the ultimately the best option, we refer you to the right subspecialist with complete notes, imaging, and prehab guidance—no wasted steps.
Common Conditions We Treat with Conservative management
Acute sprains/strains (ankle, knee, shoulder, wrist)
Tendinopathies (Achilles, patellar, rotator cuff, tennis/golfer’s elbow)
Stress reactions and overuse bone injuries
Plantar fasciitis & foot pain
Rib, hip, and pelvic girdle pain
Running- and throwing‑related injuries; pediatric and adolescent sports issues
Osteoarthritis (knee, hip, shoulder, hand, foot, ankle)
Sports concussion evaluation and management
Tools & Treatments You Can Expect
Thorough MSK exam: Movement screening, strength and flexibility testing, functional assessments relevant to your sport or job.
Point‑of‑care ultrasound (POCUS):
Dynamic, radiation‑free imaging during your visit
Guides precise injections or aspirations when indicated
Evidence‑based interventions:
Activity modification and graded loading plans
Bracing, taping, orthoses, and assistive devices
Physical therapy and home exercise programming
Medications (when useful) that align with your health and sport rules
Ultrasound‑guided procedures: corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, nerve blocks, tendon sheath injections
Advanced minimally invasive procedures (TenJet or Tenex) for chronic tendinosis or calcific tendinitis
Regenerative options (e.g., PRP) when appropriate and supported by your goals
Performance & prevention: Screening for movement or training errors, workload planning, cross‑training, and return‑to‑play testing.
When to See PCSM First vs. ER/Ortho/Urgent Care
Start with PCSM for:
New or worsening joint, muscle, tendon, or bone pain
Sprains, strains, or suspected overuse injuries
Persistent pain limiting activity or sleep
Flare‑ups of osteoarthritis
Sporst concussion symptoms or concerns
Go to the ER immediately for red flags:
Severe trauma, obvious deformity, or open fracture
Inability to bear weight after a significant injury
Signs of infection (fever + hot, red, swollen joint)
Numbness/weakness in a limb after injury, or new loss of bowel/bladder control
Chest pain, shortness of breath, or head injury with concerning symptoms
Consider direct orthopedic surgical consult when:
You’ve already tried appropriate conservative care without improvement
There’s a known full‑thickness tear or unstable fracture
You’ve had recurrent dislocations or mechanical locking that merits surgical opinion
If you’re unsure, start with PCSM—we triage and steer you to the right next step.
What a First Visit Looks Like
Listen: We’ll learn your story, goals, training load, and timelines (race, season, work demands).
Examine: Focused MSK exam + functional testing; ultrasound when useful.
Plan: Clear diagnosis, immediate pain‑relief strategies, and a stepwise treatment roadmap.
Follow‑Up: Measurable milestones, return‑to‑sport criteria, and check‑ins to adjust the plan.
Bring: prior imaging, medication list, braces/orthotics, and videos of your movement (running gait, lift, throw) if available.
How PCSM Keeps You Active (Even While You Heal)
Completely stopping activity can slow recovery. PCSM focuses on relative rest and graded loading—modifying what hurts while keeping the rest of you moving. We’ll prescribe cross‑training and strength work that fit your schedule and equipment.
Myths in Medicine—Busted
“I need an MRI to know what’s wrong.” Most diagnoses come from a good history and exam. Imaging is used when it changes management.
“If I see a sports doctor, I’ll end up in surgery.” Our goal is to keep you out of the operating room unless completely necessary. We exhaust effective conservative options first.
“I should wait it out for a few months.” Early evaluation prevents compensation patterns and chronic pain.
FAQs
Do I need a referral? Often no, depending on your insurance. Call your plan or clinic to confirm.
Will you coordinate PT? Yes. We partner with physical therapists and athletic trainers and share specific loading and progression targets.
What about student‑athletes? We provide return‑to‑play notes, school/team communication, and sport‑specific guidance. As a team physician for Marvin Ridge, Parkwood, Cuthbertson, and Wingate University, Dr. Bradley understands the demands of high‑level athletics.
Are injections required? No. We use them judiciously when expected benefits outweigh risks and they support your long‑term goals.
A Sample Conservative Care Roadmap (Ankle Sprain)
Stage 1: Accurate grade, protect/brace, manage swelling, pain control, gentle range of motion
Stage 2: Progressive weight‑bearing, balance drills, begin strength
Stage 3: Agility and plyometric progressions, sport‑specific drills
Stage 4: Full practice with criteria‑based return to competition
Your plan is individualized—criteria trump the calendar and we use rehabilitation through physical therapy and athletic trainers to meet goals at each phase.
The Bottom Line
For most bone, joint, tendon, and muscle problems, a PCSM provider is the best first stop. You’ll get a precise diagnosis, a personalized plan, and a clear path back to the activities you love. And if surgery is the right answer, we help you get there efficiently and prepared.
Next Steps
Ready to move without pain? Schedule with Sean Bradley, MD at Atrium MSKI–Waxhaw to start a smarter, surgery‑sparing plan today. Same‑ or next‑week appointments are often available for new injuries.
Phone: 704-863-4878
Online Scheduling: https://atriumhealth.org/provider-profile/sean-bradley-1881071041:
Location: Atrium MSKI–Waxhaw (2700 Providence Road, Suite 225, Waxhaw, NC 28173)
Serving: Waxhaw, Weddington, Marvin, Wesley Chapel, Indian Land, and South Charlotte
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