By Dr. Steve Derrington, board-certified in physical medicine and rehabilitation
Southern California gives you a reason to be outside nearly every day of the year. When pain keeps you from your game, your hike or your time on the water, it affects a lot more than your joint. If you’re an active adult looking for orthopedic care in Carlsbad, Laguna Hills or the surrounding communities, here is how I think about helping you get back to what you care about.
Why activity is about more than exercise
The Carlsbad and San Diego communities are very active and health-oriented. You can surf, golf and play pickleball year-round. People love to hike, with great hikes down at La Jolla Shores and amazing places in North County, including Double Peak, and some of them are challenging.
When you’re injured, you have a hard time doing those things. Patients come in telling me: I haven’t been able to golf with my buddies. I haven’t been out in the water and the surf has been great. I’ve been playing too much pickleball and now my elbow or my shoulder hurts.
These activities are a big part of your identity. They’re how you reduce stress, how you stay fit and how you stay connected to your social network. Getting back to them is usually why people come to see me.
South Orange County: Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and Dana Point
South Orange County is an active place. People love the sunshine and being outside. Pickleball is huge. Getting out to surf in San Clemente or Dana Point is very popular, and there are tons of amazing golf courses around.
Patients in Laguna Hills and Mission Viejo want to get back to pickleball and back on the course to see their friends. Patients on the coast in San Clemente and Dana Point often have getting out in the water daily as a big part of their routine, and when pain gets in the way they’re looking for solutions that get them back there without the downtime of surgery.
Two kinds of goals
I grew up in the Midwest, trained in Kansas City and did my residency in Philadelphia, so I know the Midwest and East Coast mindset well. Out here it’s a different lifestyle, and the goals fall into two groups.
Some people want to get through the day comfortably, spend time with their grandkids and go for a short walk with their spouse.
Others want to keep doing what they’ve done for the last 30 years, and they aren’t ready to give up yet.
Either way, my goal is to get you playing, hiking and staying active with the people you care about.
How I approach it
I start with a thorough evaluation of what’s actually causing your pain. Physical therapy and how you move are part of the plan. From there, depending on the problem, I may consider PRP or bone marrow concentrate. You can read how I weigh the two in how I choose between PRP and bone marrow concentrate.
Learn more about common problems for active people: pickleball knee pain in Carlsbad, knee osteoarthritis, tennis and golf elbow and rotator cuff tears.
Visit me in Carlsbad or Laguna Hills
Tell me what you want to get back to, and we’ll plan around it. See my Carlsbad office and Laguna Hills office pages for details.
I see patients at my Carlsbad office (5806 Van Allen Way, Suite 101, Carlsbad, CA 92008) and on Tuesdays at my Laguna Hills office (25411 Cabot Rd, Suite 116, Laguna Hills, CA 92653). You can call (760) 721-4000 or request an appointment online.
Frequently asked questions
I want to keep playing pickleball. Where do I start?
Come in for an evaluation. We’ll find what’s causing the pain and talk about the game you want to get back to.
Do you see patients from Laguna Hills, Mission Viejo, San Clemente and Dana Point?
Yes. I see patients at my Laguna Hills office on Tuesdays, and many of my patients there are looking to get back to pickleball, golf and the water.
This article is general education and does not replace an exam or medical advice for your situation. Results vary from person to person.
