Business Details
42 Years
experience
Emergency
services
Your Trusted Sports Medicine Experts in Indianapolis
Ahlfeld Sports Medicine Orthopaedic Center, located in Indianapolis, Indiana, has been dedicated to providing the highest quality care for patients with sports-related or general orthopaedic problems since 1984. Our founder, Dr. Steven K. Ahlfeld, brings over 35 years of specialized expertise in orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, having served as the team orthopaedic surgeon for the Indiana University men's basketball team. Our practice emphasizes individualized, compassionate care using state-of-the-art techniques to return patients safely to healthy, active lifestyles. With a focus on both surgical and non-surgical treatments, we address a wide range of conditions including sports injuries, joint pain, and post-operative rehabilitation.Our team combines extensive clinical experience with a commitment to advancing treatment methodologies through research and education. We maintain active memberships in leading professional organizations such as the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine and the Arthroscopy Association of North America. Our facility offers comprehensive services including arthroscopic surgery, physical therapy, and specialized rehabilitation programs tailored to athletes and active individuals. Through continuous innovation and personalized attention, we strive to deliver exceptional outcomes for patients of all ages and activity levels.
Services
ACL Reconstruction
Physical Therapy
Knee Arthroscopy
Shoulder Labrum Repair
Ankle Reconstruction
Knee Replacement
Sports Injury Treatment
Fracture Care
Rotator Cuff Repair
Tennis Elbow Treatment
Details
- Year established: 1984
Highlights and features
- Dr. Ahlfeld has practiced orthopaedic surgery since 1984 with specialized sports medicine training
- Board-certified surgeons with subspecialty certification in sports medicine
- Personalized rehabilitation programs developed by Doctor of Physical Therapy Matt Sowder
- Proven track record treating professional athletes and returning patients to competitive activity
- Advanced arthroscopic techniques minimizing recovery time for surgical patients
Associations and certifications
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery (Sports Medicine Subspecialty)
What people say
Amazing surgeon
Back on the soccer field in 6 weeks
Expertise and confidence
Pain free after surgery
Successful rehabilitation
Services
ACL Reconstruction
Our ACL reconstruction procedure uses arthroscopic techniques to repair torn anterior cruciate ligaments using autograft tissue from the patient's knee. This minimally invasive approach allows faster recovery compared to traditional open surgery. Our surgeons have extensive experience treating athletes at all levels, with proven protocols enabling patients like collegiate basketball player Lexi Bargesser to return to competitive play.
Physical Therapy
Led by Doctor of Physical Therapy Matt Sowder, our rehabilitation programs combine hands-on treatment with sport-specific training for both surgical and non-surgical patients. We utilize evidence-based protocols like our accelerated ACL program that helped a patient return to basketball in just six weeks. Our approach integrates strength training, mobility work, and biomechanical analysis to optimize recovery outcomes.
Knee Arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy allows our surgeons to diagnose and treat various knee conditions through small incisions using specialized instruments. This technique effectively addresses meniscus tears, cartilage damage, and ligament injuries while minimizing tissue disruption. Patients benefit from reduced post-operative pain and quicker return to activities compared to traditional open procedures, with recovery typically taking weeks rather than months.
Shoulder Labrum Repair
Our shoulder labrum repair addresses torn shoulder cartilage using arthroscopic techniques to reattach the labrum to the glenoid socket. This procedure stabilizes the joint and restores function for patients with traumatic injuries or chronic overuse conditions. Our team has successfully treated numerous athletes, including professional basketball players, enabling their return to high-level competition through comprehensive post-operative rehabilitation.
Ankle Reconstruction
Lateral ankle reconstruction treats chronic instability from recurrent sprains by repairing and reinforcing damaged ligaments. We use both traditional repair techniques and synthetic augmentation materials to restore ankle stability. This procedure benefits athletes in jumping sports and patients with persistent ankle issues, with structured rehabilitation protocols ensuring proper healing and functional recovery.
People
Steven K. Ahlfeld, MD
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Dr. Ahlfeld has practiced orthopaedic surgery since 1984 with subspecialty certification in sports medicine. He serves as team physician for Indiana University men's basketball and has authored multiple research publications in sports medicine.
Matt Sowder, DPT
Doctor of Physical Therapy
Dr. Sowder has managed physical therapy services at Ahlfeld Sports Medicine since 2009. He specializes in sports medicine rehabilitation and holds a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist credential, developing customized recovery programs for surgical and non-surgical patients.
Questions
What sports medicine services do you specialize in?
We specialize in treating sports-related injuries including ACL tears, shoulder labrum repairs, meniscus injuries, ankle sprains, tennis elbow, and rotator cuff damage using both surgical and non-surgical approaches.
How experienced are your surgeons with athletic injuries?
Dr. Ahlfeld has served as team orthopaedic surgeon for Indiana University men's basketball since 1984 and has treated numerous professional athletes, including first-round NBA draft picks.
What physical therapy options are available?
Our physical therapy services include sport-specific rehabilitation, manual therapy, strength training, and advanced techniques like Graston and kinesiotaping under the supervision of Doctor of Physical Therapy Matt Sowder.
How quickly can I expect to recover from knee surgery?
Our accelerated ACL protocol enables many patients to return to activity in 6-8 weeks, with individualized rehabilitation plans ensuring safe and complete recovery.
Do you treat non-athletes and recreational sports participants?
Yes, we treat patients of all activity levels from professional athletes to recreational sports participants and individuals with general orthopaedic needs.
What makes your practice different from other orthopedic centers?
Our unique combination of specialized sports medicine expertise, personalized rehabilitation, and proven track record with elite athletes delivers exceptional outcomes for patients at all activity levels.
