Fellowship-Trained Sports Medicine
Sports Medicine Surgeon in Glendale, AZ
Dr. James MacKenzie is a fellowship-trained sports medicine orthopedic surgeon in Glendale, Arizona who has served as an assistant team physician for the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat and covered the Florida Panthers, Inter Miami CF, the NFL Combine, MLB spring training, and dozens of collegiate and high school programs. He brings that experience to every patient at Arizona Sports Medicine Center, whether you tore your ACL on the field, your meniscus on a hike, or your rotator cuff lifting a suitcase. His focus is finding the least invasive path back to the activities you love.
Why patients choose Dr. MacKenzie
- Board-certified orthopedic surgeon
- Fellow, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (FAAOS)
- Johns Hopkins residency, sports medicine fellowship
- Former assistant team physician, Miami Dolphins & Miami Heat
- Nonsurgical options first, surgery only when needed
- Se habla español
Sports Injuries Dr. MacKenzie Treats
Most sports injuries start with a conversation about what you want to get back to. From there, Dr. MacKenzie builds a plan that begins with the least invasive option and moves to arthroscopic surgery only when the injury needs it. Choose an injury below to learn how it is diagnosed, when surgery makes sense, and what recovery looks like.
ACL Reconstruction
Arthroscopic reconstruction with a graft matched to your age, sport, and position, followed by a criteria-based return-to-play program.
Meniscus Repair
Repair whenever the tear can be saved, including root repairs, and a targeted trim when it cannot.
Cartilage Restoration
Joint-preserving options for focal cartilage damage in active patients who want to delay or avoid replacement.
Patellar Instability
Bracing and therapy after a first kneecap dislocation, and MPFL reconstruction when the kneecap keeps slipping.
Rotator Cuff Repair
Arthroscopic repair for tears that keep hurting or weakening despite therapy.
Shoulder Instability & Labral Repair
Care for dislocations and labral tears, from rehabilitation to arthroscopic stabilization.
Also Treated
Biceps tendon injuries (including biceps tenodesis), AC joint separations, elbow ligament (UCL) injuries in throwing athletes, hip labral tears and impingement, ankle impingement and cartilage injuries, and tendon and ligament repair for quadriceps, patellar, and collateral ligament injuries.
Elbow, Hip, and Ankle Arthroscopy
Dr. MacKenzie’s fellowship training included arthroscopy of the elbow, hip, and ankle, and he treats conditions such as elbow ligament (UCL) injuries in throwing athletes, hip labral tears and impingement, and ankle impingement and cartilage injuries.
Nonsurgical Sports Medicine
Surgery is the exception, not the rule. Dr. MacKenzie treats the majority of sports injuries with a combination of activity modification, bracing, physical therapy, and, when appropriate, corticosteroid injections. He will tell you plainly when surgery is not needed and when it is.
Return to Play, Decided by Testing
Dr. MacKenzie does not clear athletes by the calendar. Return to sport is earned through objective testing: quadriceps and hamstring strength compared to the healthy side, single-leg hop tests, balance and landing mechanics, and sport-specific drills. Athletes progress when the numbers say the knee or shoulder is ready, which lowers the chance of a second injury and gives players, parents, and coaches a clear answer.
What a Team Physician Brings to Your Care
As an assistant team physician for the Miami Dolphins and Miami Heat, with coverage for the Florida Panthers, Inter Miami CF, the NFL Combine, and MLB spring training, Dr. MacKenzie learned to make fast, accurate decisions on the sideline and to get athletes back safely. He brings that same approach to weekend warriors, high school athletes, and active adults in Glendale: a precise diagnosis, a realistic timeline, and a plan built around your season.
Athletes of Every Level
Dr. MacKenzie has cared for professional athletes at the highest level, but most of his patients are weekend warriors, pickleball players, cyclists, golfers, hikers, high school athletes, and active adults who simply want to keep moving. He is fluent in Spanish and welcomes Spanish-speaking patients and families.
Risks
Every procedure carries risks, including infection, stiffness, re-injury, nerve injury, and the risks of anesthesia. Dr. MacKenzie reviews the risks specific to your injury and surgery before anything is scheduled. Individual results vary.
Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Don’t see your question here? Our team is happy to help.
Do I need surgery for a torn ACL?
Not always. Some patients, particularly those who do not plan to return to cutting or pivoting sports, do well with rehabilitation and bracing. Athletes and active patients who want a stable knee for sport often benefit from reconstruction. Dr. MacKenzie will help you weigh the options.
Can a meniscus tear heal on its own?
Small tears in the outer, blood-rich portion of the meniscus sometimes heal or become symptom-free with therapy. Tears in the inner portion have poor blood supply and usually do not. An exam and MRI show which kind you have.
How soon can I be seen after a sports injury?
Call the office and let us know it is a new injury. Our team works to get injured athletes and active adults evaluated quickly, often within a day or two.
Does Dr. MacKenzie treat high school athletes?
Yes. He covered 36 high school programs in South Florida during his fellowship and welcomes young athletes at his Glendale office.
Schedule a Consultation with Dr. MacKenzie
Call the office or request an appointment online and our team will help you take the next step.