John H. Chrostowski MD in Chattanooga: Sports Medicine and Shoulder Surgery
John H. Chrostowski MD is an orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder injuries who operates in Chattanooga, offering both surgical and nonsurgical treatment for joint and sports-related conditions. His practice represents the surgical end of the orthopedic spectrum, sitting apart from primary-care sports medicine clinics that handle acute sprains and physical therapy referrals.
What Dr. Chrostowski's Practice Actually Is
Dr. Chrostowski operates as a fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon with focused expertise in shoulder and upper-extremity sports injuries. A sports medicine fellowship means additional specialized training beyond general orthopedic residency, qualifying him to handle complex rotator cuff tears, labral injuries, ACL reconstructions, and other athletic injuries that require surgical planning or advanced diagnostic assessment. His practice is surgical-first, meaning he evaluates patients for operative intervention rather than serving as a general sports medicine entry point.
Services and When Surgery Is Recommended
Dr. Chrostowski's typical referral base includes athletes and active patients with shoulder injuries (rotator cuff tears, labral tears, impingement), knee injuries (ACL tears, meniscal damage), and elbow injuries (tennis elbow, ulnar collateral ligament damage in throwers). He performs arthroscopic surgery (minimally invasive joint surgery using a camera and small instruments) as well as open surgical repair when necessary. Surgical consultation typically follows unsuccessful conservative treatment (physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication, corticosteroid injection) or when imaging shows acute structural damage requiring immediate repair.
Most patients arrive at Dr. Chrostowski's office through referral from a primary-care physician or sports medicine non-surgeon after 4 to 12 weeks of conservative care. However, athletes with acute traumatic injuries (sudden dislocation, complete tear confirmed on MRI) may be referred directly to surgical evaluation. A standard consultation includes physical examination, review of imaging (X-ray or MRI), and discussion of operative vs. continued nonsurgical management.
Pricing and insurance coverage for surgery vary by procedure complexity and whether the injury is work-related or sports-related. Most insurance plans cover arthroscopic shoulder or knee surgery when medically necessary. Workers' compensation covers job-related injuries at a different billing structure. Confirm your plan's coverage and referral requirements before scheduling, as orthopedic surgery consultation typically runs $200 to $400 out-of-pocket without insurance.
How Chrostowski Fits Into Chattanooga's Orthopedic Landscape
Chattanooga has orthopedic surgeons across the major health systems (Erlanger, Parkridge, and others) and independent practitioners. Chrostowski's distinct position is his fellowship training in sports medicine and shoulder surgery, a subspecialty not every general orthopedic surgeon emphasizes. General orthopedic surgeons handle everything from hip and knee replacement to fractures and sports injuries; sports-focused surgeons, by contrast, concentrate on ligamentous, tendinous, and cartilage injuries in younger, active populations and often use arthroscopy rather than open approaches when feasible.
For a patient with a rotator cuff tear, Chrostowski is a direct choice. For a 65-year-old with hip arthritis or a fractured tibia, a general orthopedic surgeon or a different surgical specialist may be more appropriate. For an athlete or younger person with a shoulder or knee injury, a sports medicine specialist offers faster definitive surgical planning than a general surgeon handling mixed caseloads. Chrostowski's surgical background also means he does not typically provide initial injury triage or acute sports medicine care (ice, taping, strapping); he evaluates patients ready for surgical decision-making.
Who This Practice Suits and Who It Does Not
Chrostowski is the right choice for:
- Athletes and active patients with confirmed or suspected rotator cuff, labral, or ligamentous injuries
- Patients whose primary-care physician or non-surgical sports medicine provider has recommended surgical evaluation
- People needing a second opinion on whether surgery is necessary for a shoulder or knee injury
This is not the entry point for:
- Acute ankle sprains, simple strains, or minor soft-tissue injuries (urgent care or primary care handles these)
- Patients seeking initial injury assessment before conservative treatment has been tried
- Fracture care alone without soft-tissue complexity (many orthopedic surgeons handle fractures)
- Chronic pain without clear structural injury on imaging
First Visit and Referral Process
Most patients need a referral from a primary-care physician or sports medicine physician to be seen. Some insurance plans require referral authorization; others do not. Call ahead to confirm your plan and whether imaging (X-ray or MRI) should be obtained beforehand. Bring your insurance card, ID, and any prior imaging results.
The first appointment typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Dr. Chrostowski performs a focused physical examination (strength, range of motion, special tests for ligament or rotator cuff integrity), reviews imaging, and explains whether surgery is recommended, what the procedure involves, recovery timeline, and alternatives. If surgery is recommended, a follow-up visit with the surgical scheduler is arranged to book the operating room date.
Hours, Location, and Logistics
Dr. Chrostowski operates in Chattanooga through one or more offices associated with local hospitals or surgical centers; confirm the exact location and hours when you call for an appointment, as orthopedic surgical practices sometimes split time between multiple sites. Parking is typically available at hospital-affiliated surgical centers. Surgery is performed at a hospital operating room or ambulatory surgical center; you will receive preoperative instructions (nothing to eat after midnight, arrival time, discharge transportation requirement) at a pre-op visit.
Dr. Chrostowski's practice is where surgical decision-making for shoulder and sports injuries converges with fellowship expertise, making it the logical next step for an active patient whose conservative treatment has plateaued or whose injury demands immediate structural repair.
