Starr Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Chattanooga: Dedicated to Joint Repair and Athletic Recovery
Starr Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is a surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic practice in Chattanooga offering care for bone, joint, ligament, and soft-tissue injuries across the full range from conservative treatment through operative repair. The practice specializes in sports medicine and serves athletes and active adults alongside patients with degenerative joint conditions and post-injury rehabilitation.
What the practice offers
Starr handles both surgical and nonsurgical orthopedic conditions. Surgical specialties include ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, hip and knee arthroscopy, and joint replacement. The practice also provides conservative care: corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injections, physical therapy referrals, and bracing. Sports medicine is a core focus, drawing patients with acute athletic injuries, overuse conditions, and return-to-play questions. The practice also treats general orthopedic problems such as osteoarthritis, fractures, and tendon or ligament sprains.
Services and typical costs
Consultation costs begin at $150 to $250 for a new-patient office visit, with existing-patient visits running $75 to $150. Injection procedures, such as joint corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections, typically cost $300 to $600 per joint and are often at least partially covered by insurance. Surgical procedures vary widely; arthroscopic procedures generally fall in the $5,000 to $8,000 range, and joint replacement can exceed $25,000 depending on implant choice and complexity. Request a specific estimate from the practice, as costs depend on insurance coverage and chosen procedures.
How Starr compares to other Chattanooga orthopedic options
Several orthopedic practices operate in Chattanooga. Starr's primary distinction is its explicit sports medicine focus and conservative-care infrastructure, making it a natural first choice for athletes and active adults seeking to avoid surgery when possible. Patients seeking joint replacement or complex revision surgery should confirm that the specific surgeon has substantial experience; Starr is equipped to handle these cases, but comparison visits may help if you have specific implant preferences or concerns about surgeon volume.
Choose Starr if you are an athlete with an acute injury, play recreational or competitive sports, or value a practice that integrates physical therapy guidance with injection and surgical options. Choose an alternative if you require subspecialties not clearly advertised (such as hand surgery or spine surgery) or if you prefer a hospital-owned orthopedic group with direct access to imaging and in-house physical therapy on campus.
Who this suits and who it does not
Starr suits active adults, recreational and competitive athletes, and patients recovering from sports-related injuries or surgery. The sports medicine expertise and injection capabilities make it well matched to patients seeking to extend the timeline before surgery or to optimize nonsurgical outcomes. Patients with complex revision surgery needs or rare bone tumors may benefit from consultation with an academic medical center such as those affiliated with Erlanger or Tennova systems, though Starr can handle many revision cases.
The practice is not ideal if you require hand surgery, foot and ankle specialty care (unless general orthopedic ankle and foot issues), or spine surgery; confirm availability before booking if you have needs outside the core orthopedic and sports medicine scope.
What the first visit involves
New patients should bring insurance cards, photo ID, and any relevant imaging (X-rays, MRI, CT scans) from other facilities. The visit typically begins with a intake form covering injury history, activity level, goals, and prior treatments. The physician will perform a physical examination, assess range of motion and strength, and may order imaging if needed. If conservative treatment is appropriate, the visit may include discussion of bracing, activity modification, or physical therapy. If injection or surgery is indicated, the physician will explain the procedure, recovery timeline, and success rates. The visit typically lasts 30 to 45 minutes.
Hours, location, and logistics
Starr Orthopedics & Sports Medicine is located in Chattanooga with office hours running Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Verify current hours by phone or website, as schedules may shift seasonally. Parking is available on-site. The practice accepts most major insurance plans; call ahead to confirm your specific plan is accepted.
Starr fills a clear role in Chattanooga's orthopedic landscape for athletes and active patients who want to exhaust nonsurgical options before committing to surgery, and for those already needing surgery who value a practice steeped in sports medicine principles and return-to-play thinking.
