March 21–22, 2026 • UW South Lake Union, Orin Smith Auditorium
The 2026 Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine Symposium brought together clinicians, researchers, and rehabilitation specialists for a two‑day exploration of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and athletic knee care. The program covered prevention, rehabilitation, surgical management, and return‑to‑play strategies across the lifespan.
Day 1 opened with a session on ACL risk factors and injury‑prevention strategies. Presenters included Aarthi Manjunathan, DO; Clare Ardern, PhD; and Greg Myer, PhD, CSCS, who shared research on epidemiology, rehabilitation goals, and current trends in injury risk reduction. A case discussion followed, giving participants an opportunity to apply evidence to real‑world clinical scenarios.
Session 2 focused on current ACL management and meeting the goals of athletes pursuing conservative or surgical care. Kathleen Cummer, PT, DPT, PhD, discussed copers and non‑copers in nonoperative management. Chris Kweon, MD, reviewed surgical decision-making and graft selection, and Catherine Braden, PT, DPT, OCS, outlined early rehabilitation approaches that lay the groundwork for successful outcomes.
In the afternoon, Session 3 examined advanced considerations of the anterior knee. Lyndsey Booker, MD, covered the pathomechanics and physiology of anterior knee pain. Eric Chen, MD, discussed extensor mechanism tendon injuries, and Nika Cortese, PT, DPT, SCS, OCS, presented on load management. Another case-based discussion rounded out the session.
Day 1 concluded with a session on data-driven rehabilitation and clinical integration. Clare Ardern, PhD; Janna Friedly, MD, MPH; and Greg Myer, PhD, CSCS, presented strategies for interpreting research and applying evidence in clinical settings. Josh Gellert, PT, DPT, SCS, discussed data-informed return‑to‑sport decision-making, and Dr. Ardern closed with a talk on improving access in sports medicine care.
Day 2 began with a session on the athletic knee across the lifespan. Albert Gee, MD, reviewed current trends in meniscus surgery. Mark Harrast, MD, discussed the relationship between running and knee osteoarthritis. Celeste Quitiquit, MD, addressed the needs of pediatric athletes, and Mia Hagen, MD, presented approaches for surgical management of cartilage defects. A question‑and‑answer session followed.
The symposium concluded with a session on comprehensive return‑to‑play strategies that highlighted the connection between the brain and body. Clare Ardern, PhD, and Kevin Alschuler, PhD, presented on psychological readiness for sport, followed by Greg Myer, PhD, CSCS, who discussed integrating motor learning and neuroscience into ACL injury prevention. The group then joined a final discussion and wrap-up.
This year’s event sold out, and planning for next year is already underway. To be notified when registration opens for our 2027 Sports and MSK Medicine Symposium, join our newsletter.
In photos:
- People sign in to the 2026 Sports & MSK Symposium.
- Greg Myer, PhD, CSCS; Clare Ardern, PhD; and Janna Friedly, MD, PHD
- Lyndsay Booker, MD, speaks to the crowd.
- Mark Harrast, MD, giving his presentation on running and knee osteoarthritis.
- Albert Gee, MD, explains 5-minute tendinopathy.
- Charles Kenyon, MD, addresses the room.
- Kathleen Cummer, PT, DPT, PhD, speaks about copers and non-copers for conservative management of ACL injury.
- Clare Ardern, PhD, speaks about the athletic knee.