Joseph Barker, MD - Orthopaedic Surgeon

04/22/2026

Happy Earth Day!

04/17/2026

ACL Injuries in Female Athletes: Understanding the Higher Risks and Lower Return-to-Play Rates.

Although males have higher rates of ACL injuries, the relative risk of ACL injury is actually much higher in females. Despite increased understanding of ACL injuries and prevention, injury rates among females have remained consistent, while rates have simultaneously decreased among males. As female....

04/10/2026

Exercising with knee or hip pain.

If you deal with knee and hip pain, it may be time to up your exercise game. More than just a good health habit, exercise is also an effective treatment for many knee and hip problems. And exercises that can strengthen muscles supporting knees and hips can be especially helpful.

04/03/2026

Flips, Falls, and Fractures: The Reality of Cheerleading Injuries.

Cheerleading is rising in popularity, with competitive cheer now being recognized as an Olympic sport, possibly leading to an Olympic debut in the near future. These athletes present with issues such as pressure for a quick return, concerns for decreased bone density, and injury patterns unique to t...

03/27/2026

Non-Surgical Treatments for Rotator Cuff Tears.

When the symptoms of a rotator cuff tear are acute, meaning there is a sudden flare-up of symptoms, it may be helpful to rest the shoulder to allow the inflammation of the injury to settle down.

03/25/2026

Exercising With Knee Pain: Do`s and Don`ts.

Exercise can often be the last thing on the mind of someone suffering from a chronic knee pain condition. And as research indicates, many people who have degenerative diseases of the knee, such as osteoarthritis, don't get anywhere close to the recommended amount of daily exercise activity that they...

03/23/2026

Lower Back and Hip Pain: What`s Causing It?

Low back and hip pain typically affect one side of the body. However, it is possible to have pain on both sides depending on the underlying cause or if you experience pain that radiates or is widespread.

03/16/2026

Matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation may yield high return to sports rate.

Results showed chondral defects of the knee treated with matrix-assisted autologous chondrocyte implantation may yield a high rate of patient satisfaction and return to sports in a community practice.

03/09/2026

Does losing weight make an athlete better? Associations between body composition and performance.

In endurance sports such as running and cross-country skiing, a lighter body weight can improve relative power generation and reduce energy consumption. However, losing weight requires an energy deficit, which can negatively impact health and performance. Therefore, weight optimization always involv...

03/02/2026

Treatment Options for Calcific Tendonitis of the Shoulder.

Calcific tendonitis is a common source of shoulder pain and can be a frustration given the severity of pain and the duration of symptoms. However, the news is not all bad. On a positive note, the vast majority of patients do find relief with nonsurgical treatments for this condition.

02/23/2026

Preventing Shoulder Pain After Vaccine Injection (SIRVA).

Shoulder pain is a common side effect of a vaccine. Usually, it gets better fairly quickly and causes no long-term problems. However, some people develop a rare problem called shoulder injury related to vaccine administration (SIRVA).

02/16/2026

Reduced opioid use found after knee surgery with mini-scope technique.

A new study led by Marshall University researchers found that patients who underwent knee surgery using a minimally invasive "needle arthroscopy" technique used significantly fewer opioids after surgery compared to those treated with standard arthroscopy.