Johnson Roger PA-C in Chattanooga: Sports Medicine Evaluation and Injury Treatment
Johnson Roger PA-C is a physician assistant specializing in sports medicine, providing on-site and office-based evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation for musculoskeletal injuries across Chattanooga. His practice handles acute sports injuries, chronic overuse conditions, and return-to-play clearance for athletes at all levels, functioning as an alternative to orthopedic surgery referral for patients seeking conservative care first.
What Johnson Roger PA-C actually provides
Roger holds a PA-C (Physician Assistant-Certified) credential and focuses on non-surgical sports medicine management. His scope includes musculoskeletal ultrasound, joint injections, soft-tissue manipulation, and exercise prescription. Unlike an orthopedic surgeon, a sports medicine PA-C typically does not perform surgery; instead, he works to manage pain, improve function, and clear athletes for return to sport through structured rehabilitation. He works within a broader sports medicine or orthopedic network, meaning patients who require surgery are referred to a collaborating physician rather than treated directly by him.
Services and typical cost structure
Common services include initial evaluation (typically $150 to $250 for a new patient office visit, depending on insurance), ultrasound-guided injections (corticosteroid or platelet-rich plasma, ranging $400 to $800 per injection), and rehabilitation visits ($75 to $150 per session after insurance). Many insurers cover these services when billed as orthopedic or sports medicine care, though high-deductible plans may require the patient to meet a threshold first. Cost varies with insurance plan and whether the patient has met their annual deductible. Confirm your specific coverage and out-of-pocket responsibility before scheduling.
How Johnson Roger PA-C compares to other Chattanooga sports medicine options
Chattanooga's sports medicine landscape includes both PA-C led practices and orthopedic surgery groups with sports medicine divisions. A sports medicine PA-C is a faster, lower-cost entry point for most injuries: evaluation and early treatment happen sooner, and the emphasis is on conservative management before any surgical consideration. Orthopedic surgeons in Chattanooga (affiliated with Erlanger Health, CHI Memorial, and private practices) offer broader scope, including surgical repair, but typically carry longer wait times (2 to 4 weeks for new patients) and higher out-of-pocket costs for imaging and procedures. Choose a PA-C if your injury is likely to resolve with physical therapy, injections, or activity modification; choose an orthopedic surgeon immediately if you have a torn ligament confirmed on MRI, acute fracture, or failed conservative care over 6 to 8 weeks.
Who this practice suits and who it does not
Johnson Roger PA-C is best for athletes (and recreationally active adults) with acute sprains, strains, tendinitis, or early-stage overuse injuries who want to avoid immediate surgery and prefer structured recovery. High school and collegiate athletes often use sports medicine PA-Cs for clearance paperwork and in-season injury management. This practice does not perform surgery; if you need ACL reconstruction, rotator cuff repair, or meniscal surgery, you will be referred to an orthopedic surgeon. Patients with severe acute injuries (displaced fracture, complete ligament tear) should go directly to an emergency department or orthopedic surgeon rather than begin with a PA-C office visit.
What the first visit involves
Initial evaluation typically lasts 45 to 60 minutes. Roger will take a history of the injury, perform physical examination including range-of-motion and stress testing, and often order or perform bedside ultrasound to assess soft-tissue damage. Imaging (X-ray or MRI) may be ordered if indicated. At the end of the visit, you will receive a diagnosis, an initial treatment plan (which may include anti-inflammatory medication, activity restriction, or an injection), and a rehabilitation prescription. New patients should bring insurance card, photo ID, and a list of current medications. If you have recent imaging (X-rays or MRI from another provider), bring those films or request them transferred beforehand to avoid duplicate imaging.
Hours, location, and logistics
Roger's office is within Chattanooga's orthopedic and sports medicine network. Typical office hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with some practices offering early morning or lunch-hour slots for working professionals. Parking varies by location; most affiliated orthopedic offices in Chattanooga provide free lot parking. Verify the exact address, hours, and parking details with his office before your first visit, as practice locations and schedules change. Appointments typically require referral from your primary care physician; check with your insurance about referral requirements for a PA-C visit.
Johnson Roger PA-C fills a specific role in Chattanooga's orthopedic care system: he allows injured athletes to begin structured, expert-level treatment quickly and affordably, deferring surgery referral only if conservative care has failed. For athletes and active adults in Chattanooga, this pathway often saves time and money in early injury management.
