Sports Medicine for the Lehigh Valley
Sports medicine is central to the practice of Dr. Michael Hendel, MD, PhD. He currently serves as team physician for the Reading Royals (ECHL professional hockey), the Lehigh Valley IronPigs (Triple-A baseball), and Liberty & Freedom High School football, and as tournament physician for the PIAA State Wrestling Tournament. Before returning to Pennsylvania, he served as assistant team physician for the NFL New York Giants and cared for athletes of the Mets, Rangers, Knicks, Red Bulls, Nets, and PGA during his Hospital for Special Surgery training.
That team physician experience shapes how he treats every patient — recreational athletes, high school and college athletes, runners, and youth players alike: accurate diagnosis, evidence-based return-to-play decisions, and treatment matched to your goals.
What Dr. Hendel Treats
- Shoulder — dislocations and instability, labral tears, rotator cuff injuries, AC joint separations
- Knee — ACL and ligament tears, meniscus injuries, patellar instability, cartilage damage
- Elbow — tennis and golfer's elbow, throwing-arm care for baseball players
- Fractures — ankle, clavicle, and sports-related fractures, with surgical fixation when needed
- Overuse injuries, stress injuries, and growth-plate-aware care for young athletes (ages 8-18)
Non-operative care leads whenever appropriate: structured rehabilitation, injections including PRP, bracing, and activity modification. When surgery is the right call, Dr. Hendel performs modern arthroscopic and reconstructive techniques with a written recovery protocol for every procedure.
“Always attentive to what I have to say, and I never feel rushed.”
Press Ganey verified patient surveyFrequently Asked Questions
Do you treat young athletes?
Yes — from youth sports through high school and college. Adolescent athletes need care that accounts for open growth plates and developing bodies; Dr. Hendel's fellowship training and PIAA team physician work make this a core part of his practice.
How soon can I be seen after a sports injury?
Acute injuries and fractures can often be seen within 24-48 hours, and same-day appointments are frequently available when Dr. Hendel is in the office. Call (484) 526-1735 — early evaluation often shortens total recovery.
Do I need a referral?
Many insurance plans allow direct access to sports medicine specialists; some require a primary care referral. The office can verify your plan's requirements when you call.