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Sports Medicine Doctor in Houston, TX
Dr. Mufaddal Gombera is board-certified in orthopedic surgery with subspecialty certification in sports medicine. He served as an assistant team physician for Northwestern University football, the Chicago Cubs, and the Chicago Blackhawks during his time in Chicago. He currently serves as a team physician for Texas Southern University. His focus is returning athletes to the field with evidence-based, conservative-first care.
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How Dr. Gombera Treats Athletes
Dr. Gombera treats athletes conservatively first: most sports injuries respond to an accurate diagnosis, structured physical therapy, and a progressive return plan rather than an operation. That order is deliberate. Operating on an athlete who did not need surgery costs a season. Missing an injury that truly needed surgery costs more.
The evaluation is where that decision gets made. He examines the injury, orders or reviews imaging when it will actually change the plan, and lays out the treatment ladder for your diagnosis, starting with the least invasive option that works. When surgery is the right answer, he explains exactly why and what the alternatives would cost you.
Same-week consultations are available for new injuries, and in-season athletes are scheduled as quickly as possible so a treatment decision does not cost playing time.
Sports Injuries Treated by Body Area
Dr. Gombera treats sports injuries from the shoulder to the ankle, with subspecialty depth in the hip, shoulder, and knee.
- Hip. Labral tears, hip impingement, and the full range of hip conditions and procedures, including hip arthroscopy.
- Shoulder. Shoulder injuries including rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, and dislocated shoulders.
- Knee. Knee injuries including ACL tears, meniscus tears, and runner’s knee.
- Lower leg and ankle. Achilles tendonitis, Achilles tears, ankle sprains, ankle fractures, and shin splints.
- Thigh. Hamstring strains, and hamstring tendon repair when the tendons tear away from the bone.
- Elbow and wrist. Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, UCL sprains in throwers, and wrist fractures.
If your pain built up gradually from training rather than one bad moment, start with overuse injuries. And every athlete can use the practical guidance on our injury prevention.
Orthobiologics, Without the Hype
For select tendon and joint problems, Dr. Gombera offers orthobiologic injections: platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and connective tissue injections, performed with image guidance. The honest summary is that the evidence is stronger for some conditions, such as stubborn tennis elbow and mild knee arthritis, than for many of the uses promoted online. These injections are cash-pay, they are not a cure, and Dr. Gombera will tell you plainly when one is unlikely to help you. Read the full evidence discussion on our orthobiologics page.
Return to Play: Criteria, Not the Calendar
Dr. Gombera clears athletes to return when they pass objective criteria, not when a date arrives. Depending on the injury, that means strength near the uninjured side, full pain-free motion, and completed sport-specific testing: hop and cutting progressions for the legs, throwing programs for the shoulder and elbow.
Timelines still matter as honest context. Return to sport after ACL reconstruction is approximately 6 months, and the same is true after hip arthroscopy (/hip-arthroscopy.html). But those are typical frames, not promises, and clearing an athlete early to hit a date is how re-injuries happen. As a team physician, Dr. Gombera coordinates directly with athletic trainers, physical therapists, and coaches, so the plan that clears you holds up in a real season.
Following a healthy lifestyle and practicing proper sports techniques can help you prevent sports injuries. Consider strategies like:
- Wearing correctly fitting protective gear like face masks, eye gear, mouth guards and pads, as well as comfortable clothes and athletic shoes, during sports
- Performing warm-up and cool-down exercises before and after physical activity to keep muscles flexible
- Gradually increasing the intensity of exercise
- Strengthening your muscles through an exercise program
- Nourishing your bones, joints and muscles with a nutritious diet
- Avoiding immediate physical activity after large meals
- Resting when tired or injured
- Understanding your sports’ rules
- Staying physically fit enough to play your sport
Looking for more ideas for protecting yourself from sports injuries? Consult an orthopedic sports doctor like Dr. Gombera or speak to your coaching team.
Some of the common sports injuries include:
Dr. Gombera with Dana White, the president of the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)
Explore Key Sports Medicine Topics
Click on the topics below to find out more from the orthopedic connection website of American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
- Exercises for Young Athletes
- Heat Injury
- Muscle contusion (bruise)
- Muscle cramp
- Prevent Golf Injuries
- Prevent Inline Skating Injuries
- Prevent Scooter-Related Injuries
- Return To Play
- Shin splints
- Skateboarding Safety
- Sports Nutrition
- Sprains and Strains
- Stress Fractures
- Women and ACL Injuries
You can also learn more about general topics related to orthopedics by visiting our multimedia library for patients. These videos can teach you about different orthopedic injuries and the procedures used to treat them.
Frequently Asked Question
How quickly can an injured athlete see Dr. Gombera?
Same-week consultations are available at all three Houston area offices. Call (713) 794-3457, tell the scheduling team you have a new injury, and bring any imaging you already have. Early evaluation matters because the first days after an injury often decide whether an athlete can be treated conservatively or needs more.
Does every sports injury need surgery?
No. Most sports injuries improve with an accurate diagnosis, structured physical therapy, and a planned return to activity. Dr. Gombera recommends surgery when the injury is structural and an operation clearly beats the alternatives, such as a torn ACL in a cutting athlete or a tendon pulled off bone. When surgery is not needed, he says so plainly.
Do you treat recreational athletes or only competitive ones?
Dr. Gombera treats athletes at every level: professional, collegiate, high school, and weekend competitors, along with active adults who simply want to keep running, lifting, or playing without pain. The evaluation is the same regardless of level. The treatment plan is built around your sport, your schedule, and how quickly you need to return.
Do you offer PRP injections for sports injuries?
Yes. Dr. Gombera offers platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and connective tissue injections for select conditions, always with image guidance and an honest read of the evidence, which is stronger for some problems than others. These are cash-pay treatments, and he will not recommend one when physical therapy or surgery serves you better.
When can I return to play after an injury?
When you pass objective criteria, not when a date on the calendar arrives. Depending on the injury, that means strength close to the uninjured side, full pain-free motion, and sport-specific testing without hesitation or compensation. Typical frames exist, such as approximately 6 months after ACL reconstruction, but Dr. Gombera clears athletes based on testing, not time alone.
Schedule a Sports Medicine Consultation in Houston
Dr. Gombera sees athletes at Texas Orthopedic Hospital (7401 Main St), the Memorial office (8731 Katy Freeway, Suite 110), and the Baytown office (7718 Garth Rd). Same-week consultations are available for new injuries.
Dr Gombera, MD