TL;DR
Dr. Jedidiah Oldham, DO evaluates and treats sports injuries at 972 N 600 E in Spanish Fork for athletes of all ages. Dr. Oldham diagnoses sprains, strains, fractures, concussions, and overuse injuries in the office, orders imaging when needed, and builds return-to-play plans that follow current evidence-based guidelines. His osteopathic training adds hands-on musculoskeletal evaluation that speeds diagnosis. Call (385) 265-6060 to schedule.
What Sports Injuries Does Dr. Oldham Treat?
Dr. Oldham treats the full spectrum of sports injuries seen in a family medicine office, including ankle sprains, knee ligament injuries (ACL, MCL), meniscus tears, muscle strains (hamstring, quadriceps, calf), stress fractures, shin splints, rotator cuff injuries, tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis), plantar fasciitis, concussions, and overuse injuries like patellar tendinitis and iliotibial band syndrome. His osteopathic training includes 200+ hours of musculoskeletal medicine that gives him a diagnostic advantage in evaluating joint stability, range of motion, and soft tissue injury patterns through hands-on examination.
Sports injuries are common in patients ranging from youth soccer players to adult recreational athletes to high school football teams in Spanish Fork. Utah County’s active population and year-round outdoor sports schedule (skiing in winter, trail running and mountain biking in summer) mean the practice treats seasonal injury patterns throughout the year. Dr. Oldham evaluates injuries at same-day visits when an athlete needs rapid assessment, because early diagnosis and treatment reduce recovery time and prevent a minor injury from becoming a chronic problem.
How Does Dr. Oldham Diagnose a Sports Injury?
Dr. Oldham diagnoses sports injuries through a focused history (mechanism of injury, location of pain, onset timing, and functional limitations) and a hands-on physical exam that tests joint stability, range of motion, strength, and specific orthopedic maneuvers. For a suspected ACL tear, he performs the Lachman test and anterior drawer test. For a rotator cuff injury, he uses the empty can test and drop arm test. His osteopathic training adds palpation skills that detect subtle tissue texture changes, joint restrictions, and compensatory movement patterns that conventional exam techniques may miss.
Imaging is ordered when the clinical exam suggests a fracture, ligament tear, or structural damage that needs confirmation. X-rays are available at nearby imaging centers with same-day or next-day results. MRI is ordered for suspected soft tissue injuries like ACL tears, meniscus tears, and rotator cuff tears when the diagnosis will change the treatment plan. Dr. Oldham interprets the imaging results at a follow-up visit, explains the findings to the patient and (for minors) the parents, and discusses treatment options ranging from conservative management to surgical referral.
How Does Dr. Oldham Evaluate and Manage Concussions?
Dr. Oldham evaluates concussions using the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool (SCAT6) and a clinical interview that documents the mechanism of injury, symptom onset, cognitive function, balance, and neurological status. He follows the CDC Heads Up guidelines for concussion management, which emphasize initial rest followed by a graduated return-to-activity protocol. Dr. Oldham advises 24 to 48 hours of relative rest after a concussion, then begins a stepwise return that progresses from light aerobic exercise to sport-specific training to full contact, with each stage lasting at least 24 hours and requiring the patient to be symptom-free before advancing.
Dr. Oldham provides written return-to-play clearance once the athlete has completed the graduated protocol without symptom recurrence, which satisfies Utah’s concussion law requiring physician clearance before a student-athlete can return to competition. He monitors for post-concussion syndrome (symptoms lasting beyond two to four weeks) and refers to a concussion specialist or neuropsychologist when symptoms persist. Dr. Oldham also educates parents and coaches about the importance of reporting symptoms honestly, because athletes who return to play before full recovery face a higher risk of prolonged symptoms and second-impact complications.
How Does Dr. Oldham Use Osteopathic Techniques for Sports Injury Recovery?
Osteopathic manipulative treatment (OMT) applies to sports injuries as a complement to standard rehabilitation, using techniques like myofascial release, muscle energy, and counterstrain to reduce pain, restore range of motion, and address compensatory movement patterns. For an ankle sprain, OMT can reduce swelling and restore normal joint mechanics faster than RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) alone. For chronic back pain in a cross-country runner, OMT addresses the lumbar and thoracic restrictions that developed as the body compensated for the original injury.
Dr. Oldham finds that OMT is particularly effective for overuse injuries where the root cause is a biomechanical imbalance instead of acute tissue damage. A runner with iliotibial band syndrome may have a pelvic asymmetry that increases lateral knee stress, and OMT corrects that asymmetry while the patient also works on hip strengthening and foam rolling. That combined approach treats the symptom and the cause, reducing the recurrence rate compared to treating the knee alone. In Spanish Fork, where many athletes participate in multiple sports throughout the year, addressing biomechanical issues early prevents the repetitive strain injuries that sideline athletes for entire seasons.
What Does a Return-to-Play Plan Look Like With Dr. Oldham?
Dr. Oldham builds return-to-play plans based on the specific injury, the sport, and the athlete’s recovery milestones instead of using a one-size-fits-all timeline. For a grade 2 ankle sprain in a basketball player, the plan might include two weeks of protected weight-bearing and range-of-motion exercises, followed by progressive strengthening, agility drills, and sport-specific cutting and jumping before full return. Each stage requires the athlete to demonstrate functional competency (full range of motion, 90 percent strength compared to the uninjured side, pain-free sport-specific movements) before advancing. Dr. Oldham documents the plan and shares it with the athletic trainer or coach when the athlete is a student-athlete.
Follow-up visits reassess progress and adjust the timeline. If a stress fracture is healing slower than expected on imaging, he extends the non-impact phase. If a concussion patient develops persistent headaches during the return protocol, he pauses progression and investigates. That iterative approach is the advantage of having a primary care physician manage the injury instead of a one-time urgent care evaluation: Dr. Oldham sees the athlete at each milestone, and the plan evolves based on real data from each visit.
When Does Dr. Oldham Refer to Orthopedic Surgery?
Dr. Oldham refers to orthopedic surgery for injuries that require operative repair, including complete ACL tears in athletes who want to return to pivoting sports, displaced fractures, complete rotator cuff tears, meniscus tears that lock the knee, and Achilles tendon ruptures. He coordinates the referral with orthopedic surgeons in Utah County, sends imaging and exam findings to the surgeon before the consultation, and manages the post-operative rehabilitation plan in the office. Dr. Oldham’s role after surgery includes monitoring wound healing, managing pain medication, prescribing physical therapy, and clearing the athlete for return to sport once recovery milestones are met.
Many injuries initially feared to require surgery can be managed conservatively with proper rehabilitation. A partial MCL tear, for example, heals with bracing and physical therapy in most cases, and a small meniscus tear in a non-pivoting athlete may respond to strengthening without surgical intervention. Dr. Oldham discusses the evidence for surgical versus conservative management at the diagnostic visit, sets realistic expectations about recovery timelines, and lets the patient participate in the decision. For pediatric and adolescent athletes, he considers growth plate status in all treatment decisions and involves the parents in the discussion.
Does Insurance Cover Sports Injury Treatment With Dr. Oldham?
Dr. Oldham bills sports injury evaluations and follow-up visits under standard E&M codes, and most of the 30+ insurance plans accepted at the Spanish Fork office cover these visits with a standard copay. Imaging (X-rays, MRI) is billed separately and covered by most plans with applicable copay or coinsurance. Braces, splints, and durable medical equipment may require prior authorization depending on the plan. The front desk verifies coverage before ordering imaging or equipment. For athletes injured during organized sports, the family’s primary insurance is billed first, and secondary coverage through the school or league may apply.
Dr. Oldham notes that sports physicals are a separate preventive visit and may not be covered as a sick visit by all plans. The front desk clarifies the billing distinction when scheduling. Families without insurance can ask about self-pay rates for injury evaluations and imaging referrals.
How Do I Schedule a Sports Injury Evaluation With Dr. Oldham?
Schedule a sports injury evaluation
Call for a same-day visit for acute injuries or schedule a follow-up for ongoing pain. Mention the injury type when calling so the front desk reserves the right appointment length.
Call (385) 265-6060 Book online
972 N 600 E, Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Frequently Asked Questions About Sports Injuries
Can Dr. Oldham evaluate my injury the same day it happens?
Yes. The office reserves same-day slots for acute injuries. Call (385) 265-6060 as soon as possible and describe the injury so the front desk can schedule you appropriately.
Does Dr. Oldham clear athletes to return to sports after a concussion?
Yes. Dr. Oldham follows the CDC graduated return-to-play protocol and provides written clearance once the athlete completes all stages without symptom recurrence, as required by Utah law.
Can Dr. Oldham order an MRI for my injury?
Yes. Dr. Oldham orders MRIs when the clinical exam suggests a soft tissue injury that needs confirmation, such as a ligament or meniscus tear. He coordinates with local imaging centers for prompt scheduling.
Does Dr. Oldham treat youth athletes?
Dr. Oldham treats athletes of all ages, from elementary school through adulthood. For pediatric and adolescent athletes, he factors growth plate status into every diagnosis and treatment plan.
Can Dr. Oldham provide a sports physical at the same visit?
Sports physicals are a separate preventive visit with their own requirements. However, the front desk can schedule an injury evaluation and a sports physical back to back if both are needed.
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Individual diagnosis and treatment decisions should be made between a patient and their physician.
Content accuracy: Clinical guidance is based on current recommendations from the CDC, AAFP, and American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Last reviewed April 2026.