Overcome Sports Injuries Without Surgery: Dr. Adam Redlich, M.D. & Christina Lusk-Cáceres, D.O.

An injury can instantly sideline you from the activities you love. Many active people worry that recovery always requires going under the knife.

At A+ Athlete - Sports Medicine, we believe surgery should rarely be your first option. Dr. Adam Redlich and Dr. Christina Lusk-Cáceres specialize in nonoperative care. We help patients in Robbinsville, New Jersey, overcome sports injuries safely.

Our team uses advanced tools like musculoskeletal ultrasound to find the root cause of your pain. We then build a personalized plan to help you heal naturally.

Can a meniscus tear heal without surgery?

Yes, many stable knee injuries respond exceptionally well to structured rehabilitation.

A 2025 guideline consensus found that a 12-week supervised exercise program provides pain relief equivalent to surgery. This applies to stable meniscus tears in young adults and degenerative tears in older adults.

Targeted movement stimulates your body's natural healing pathways. It strengthens the muscles around the joint to absorb mechanical shock.

We offer hands-on osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) to restore joint balance. This helps unload the damaged cartilage so you can move comfortably.

Do torn ligaments always require reconstruction?

Not all ligament tears need an operative graft to regain stability.

In a 2022 clinical study of 120 active adults aged 18-35 with acute ACL tears, 53% of those treated with rehabilitation alone showed structural healing on an MRI at two years. Controlled mechanical loading during therapy helps the torn fibers bridge and remodel naturally.

Our practice offers regenerative options like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and prolotherapy. These treatments stimulate your body's healing response to strengthen damaged ligaments.

How do we determine if you are a candidate?

Your eligibility for nonsurgical care depends heavily on the depth and severity of your injury.

According to guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), physical therapy is highly effective for partial-thickness rotator cuff tears in adults. However, the same guidelines warn that full-thickness tears managed without surgery carry a risk of muscle loss over 5-10 years.

We use in-office imaging to evaluate your injury in real time. This ensures we only recommend nonsurgical paths when they’re safe and effective for you.

You don’t have to choose between chronic pain and major surgery. Our board-certified sports medicine physicians are here to guide your recovery. If you’re ready to get back in the game, schedule a consultation by calling 609-223-2286 or requesting an appointment online today.