About Me

Dr. Jeffrey Berg, M.D.

Orthopaedic sports medicine doctor in Reston VA

My Expertise

• Arthroscopy of the Shoulder, Knee, Elbow, and Ankle
• Advanced arthroscopic knee reconstructions (ACL and other ligaments)
• Meniscal tear treatment including repairs
• Advanced arthroscopic shoulder reconstructions and repairs (instability, labral tears, rotator cuff tears, and others)
• Shoulder replacements (Resurfacing, Total Shoulder and Reverse shoulder replacements)
• Elbow injuries and problems
• Ankle injuries

See my resume here

My Patient Care Philosophy

1. Open minds make for better answers. I will always try to avoid preconceived ideas about your diagnosis…I ask that you do too. We will meet without me knowing much about your orthopaedic issue. You may already have Googled your symptoms, received a “diagnosis” from friends, family, co-workers and perhaps even another doctor. If either of us comes to our meeting believing that we know the correct diagnosis and the only treatment plan, we may not arrive at the best plan for you. But if we work together, listen to each other and keep an open mind, we have a much better chance. I promise to keep an open mind…I ask that you do too.

2. I try to fit the treatment plan to my patient, not the patient to my plan. I have over 20 years of Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine experience. As a result, I have a lot of knowledge about Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine. However, I likely know very little about you, your priorities, fears, tolerance for various treatments with their risks and costs. Only you, and perhaps those close to you, do. Most of what I treat in Sports Medicine is not emergent…It is not life or limb threatening…Usually, we are trying to improve your quality of life, not save it. There may not be a “right or wrong” treatment…only similarly equal options. I believe in a shared decision making philosophy. Therefore, I need your input so we can match the treatment to your goals.

3. A team is always better than one. Unfortunately recovering from a Sports Medicine injury cannot be passive. I will need your help to get you better. Together we will develop a plan. I can guide you through it…but I can’t carry it out alone. I will need you to be an active participant. At times you may be unsure, frustrated, tired and in pain. I will do my best to educate, reassure, motivate and make you as comfortable as is safely possible and appropriate, but I’ll need your help to do it. Your recovery will be a challenge…together we can overcome it.

4. Just because it’s broken (or torn), doesn’t mean we must operate. I’m a surgeon. I enjoy performing surgery. But just because something is broken or torn, doesn’t always mean surgery is required. We all have a tremendous capacity to heal. Sometimes “less is more” and all we need is some simpler treatments and time. Additionally, we are born with extra parts (hair, earlobes, appendix, and even our kidney comes to mind :-) ). We don’t always need everything looking and functioning perfectly to perform perfectly. Many professional and Olympic athletes have bones that are slightly misshapen and ligaments that are mildly loose. They perform at the highest level…and so can you. You may want everything perfect, but it may not be needed to get you to your peak or to prevent further damage or future problems. If it does I will tell you. If not, I will let you know as well.

5. When used properly, MRIs can be helpful…When not, they’re not. MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It might as well stand for Mostly Radiologist’s Interpretation or Maybe the Reading is Incorrect :-) . There is nothing magical about MRIs. Like any opinion, they are simply someone’s interpretation. What is on your report may or may not be what is actually present. At best the report is correct…it still does not necessarily determine treatment. I make my diagnosis by speaking with you, examining you, watching your response to treatment and when necessary reviewing any imaging studies or labs. I don’t use just the MRI to make my diagnosis. Anyone can read a report and tell you what it says. I’ll read your study and tell you what I think.

My Sports Medicine Experience

My sports medicine journey started well before I became a doctor. Like you, I’ve led an active life. I’ve played sports and exercised my entire life. I know what it’s like to be active and to want to stay that way. My college football career was cut short by an orthopedic injury.

I know what its like to be an injured athlete. I know the pain, the fear, the sense of frustration and failure. I understand. I know what it’s like to be on your side of the examination table.

I also know how to help you get back to your active lifestyle. I am Board Certified in Orthopaedics. I have done a fellowship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy at The Nicholas Institue of Sports Medicine and Athletic Trauma. I trained under world-class mentors and, during that time, took care of world-class athletes on the New York Jets, Rangers, and Islanders as well as collegiate and scholastic athletes in nearly all sports.

I’ve been in practice and at Town Center Orthopaedic Associates for over 15 years. During that time, I have had the privilege of caring for thousands of patients.

I have also had the good fortune to have been the Orthopaedic Team Physician for the Washington Redskins and have continued to take care of active people of all levels involved in all sports and activities. I was one of the first in the nation to receive the Certification of Additional Qualification as a Sports Medicine Orthopaedist. Additionally, I have performed research, written articles and presented at educational meetings about various topics in sports medicine.

I have taught future sports medicine experts and I have served on committees for the national orthopedic sports medicine organization (AOSSM). As a result, I have been honored to be selected as Sports Medicine “Top Doctor” and “SuperDoc” for Northern Virginia and the Tristate area since 2011.

My Family Life

I am lucky to have a wonderful wife and four great children. We are an active bunch. We enjoy skiing on the snow in the winter and on the lake in the summer. We are involved in numerous sports: Football, Baseball, Lacrosse and Martial Arts. Personally, I enjoy getting outside in all seasons, skiing, biking, running, working out, training in Krav Maga and cheering on my little athletes.

This has not only allowed me to maintain my perspective on the training demands and benefits of an active lifestyle, but I have unfortunately also been a close witness to the physical, mental and social effects of injuries to athletes and their family.

My Promise

I know sports medicine from all angles: patient, parent, coach, doctor, teacher and researcher. I will bring an honest, straightforward approach to your care and I will fit my treatment to you, not you to my treatment.

I look forward to meeting you and helping you resume your active lifestyle.