The Sports Docs Podcast

On today’s episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, we’re joined by Dr. Kenneth Hunt, Professor of Orthopedic Surgery and Chief of Foot and Ankle Surgery at the University of Colorado, Director of the UCHealth Foot and Ankle Center, and team physician for University of Colorado Athletics and the Denver Nuggets.
In Part I, we take a comprehensive look at lateral ankle sprains and chronic ankle instability. We discuss how to evaluate the athlete with an acute ankle injury, red flags that should prompt consideration of associated pathology, and when advanced imaging is warranted.
Dr. Hunt walks us through his approach to early treatment, including the role of bracing, progressive weight bearing, and rehabilitation. We discuss what makes an effective ankle brace, when athletes should continue bracing after returning to sport, and why bracing should complement—not replace—proprioceptive and neuromuscular training.
We also review the factors that may predict progression from a first-time ankle sprain to chronic ankle instability, including impaired jumping and landing ability and persistent deficits in dynamic balance.
The conversation then shifts to management of chronic instability. Dr. Hunt explains when persistent instability becomes a surgical problem and how the Broström procedure has evolved from traditional anatomic repair to modern techniques incorporating arthroscopy, contemporary anchor technology, and, in selected patients, internal brace augmentation.
We discuss:
Evaluation of the acute lateral ankle sprain
Red flags for associated ankle pathology
When to obtain MRI or other advanced imaging
Bracing during acute recovery and return to sport
Proprioception, balance, and neuromuscular rehabilitation
Risk factors for chronic ankle instability
Return-to-play considerations and the PAASS framework
Indications for surgery in chronic lateral ankle instability
Modern Broström repair
Internal brace augmentation: who may benefit and whether every Broström needs it
Part II: High Ankle Sprains & Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
In Part II, we will continue our conversation with Dr. Hunt and turn our attention to syndesmotic—or “high”—ankle sprains and osteochondral lesions of the talus.
We examine the evolving management of syndesmotic injuries, including evidence comparing suture-button fixation with traditional syndesmotic screws. We discuss the potential advantages of dynamic fixation, including improved functional outcomes, fewer implant-related complications and hardware removals, and lower rates of malreduction.
Finally, we tackle osteochondral lesions of the talus, reviewing diagnosis and treatment options ranging from nonoperative management to microfracture, cartilage and bone grafting, and newer cartilage-restoration strategies.
Articles Discussed
Recovery From a First-Time Lateral Ankle Sprain and the Predictors of Chronic Ankle Instability
American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2016
Brace for Impact: A Retrospective Analysis of the Modified Broström-Gould Procedure With and Without Internal Brace Augmentation
Cureus, 2023
Suture Button Versus Syndesmotic Screw for Syndesmosis Injuries: A Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
American Journal of Sports Medicine, 2019
Evaluation and Management of Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus
Cartilage, 2017
Modified Broström vs Suture Tape Augmentation: A Systematic Review
Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery, 2025
Internal Brace Augmentation Versus Modified Broström-Gould Procedure for Chronic Lateral Ankle Instability: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Functional and Radiographic Outcomes
Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research, 2026

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www.cloganmd.com
www.cosportsmedicine.com / https://orthopedicnj.com/physicians/ashley-bassett

On today’s episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, we’re discussing the 2026 Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine article, “The Impact of Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis on Knee Range of Motion After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction,” by Hamad and colleagues from UCLA.
The use of lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET) alongside ACL reconstruction continues to increase, particularly in young athletes at high risk for reinjury. While growing evidence suggests that LET can improve rotational stability and reduce ACL graft failure, questions remain about whether adding an extra-articular restraint may increase the risk of postoperative stiffness.
In this retrospective cohort study, the authors evaluated 412 pediatric ACL reconstructions, including 167 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction with LET. The primary outcome was restricted range of motion at three months, defined as a ≥5° extension deficit or ≥15° flexion deficit compared with the contralateral knee.
We discuss several key findings:
Restricted range of motion at three months occurred in 16.8% of ACLR + LET patients compared with 10.2% following isolated ACL reconstruction.
After adjustment for patient and surgical factors, LET was associated with approximately twice the odds of restricted postoperative motion.
Female sex was the strongest predictor identified, with more than four times the odds of restricted motion.
Most motion deficits involved flexion rather than extension.
Although most patients with early motion loss did not require another procedure, 4.2% of the LET group underwent manipulation under anesthesia and/or lysis of adhesions compared with 0.4% of the isolated ACL group.
We also discuss why these findings should not discourage surgeons from performing LET in appropriately selected athletes. 
Instead, the study highlights a potential trade-off between graft protection and early postoperative motion, reinforcing the importance of appropriate patient selection, careful LET positioning and tensioning, early restoration of knee motion, and close postoperative surveillance.
Finally, we review the limitations of this retrospective study and discuss how evolving LET indications, graft selection, fixation techniques, rehabilitation adherence, and surgical technique may influence these findings.
The takeaway: LET provides meaningful protection for the ACL graft in young, high-risk athletes—but surgeons and rehabilitation teams should remain vigilant about restoring motion and identifying patients who begin to fall behind early in recovery.
Article
Hamad et al. The Impact of Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis on Knee Range of Motion After Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2026.
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In this special Athlete Highlight episode, we are back with Cub Swanson & Dr. Sohrab Gollogly - bringing together two sides of the surgical experience: the athlete who underwent surgery and the surgeon who performed it.
Professional mixed martial artist and UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson joins his surgeon, orthopedic spine specialist Dr. Sohrab Gollogly, for a conversation about endoscopic spine surgery—from the athlete’s perspective and the surgeon’s point of view.
In This Episode: Part Two
In the next episode, we’ll continue the discussion and shift our focus to postoperative recovery and return to play following endoscopic spine surgery.
What does recovery look like for a professional fighter? When can an athlete begin training again? And what does it take to get back to the highest level of competition?

Meet Our Guests
Cub Swanson
Cub Swanson is a veteran professional mixed martial artist and one of the most respected featherweights of his generation.
Swanson turned professional in 2004 and became a standout in the WEC before making his UFC debut in 2011. Known for his exciting and aggressive fighting style, he has faced many of the biggest names in MMA and has built a professional career spanning more than two decades.
He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing in 2022.
Outside the Octagon, Cub is a father of three and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of fighters and giving back to the sport that helped transform his life.
Dr. Sohrab Gollogly
Dr. Sohrab Gollogly is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with more than 20 years of experience treating spinal disorders.
Based in Monterey, California, Dr. Gollogly specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, with particular interests in motion preservation and avoiding unnecessary fusion surgery.
He completed his medical training at the University of Washington, orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Utah, and advanced fellowship training in adult spine surgery in Lyon, France, as well as pediatric spine surgery in San Diego.
Dr. Gollogly is also a founding member of the EndoSpine Academy at Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich, where he is involved in surgeon education and the advancement of endoscopic spine techniques.
Why This Conversation Matters
Endoscopic spine surgery continues to evolve, and for athletes, the potential advantages of minimally invasive approaches extend beyond the operating room.
For a professional fighter, the goals may include more than relieving pain or treating a structural problem. Motion, strength, function, recovery time, and the ability to return to a high-demand sport all matter.
By hearing directly from both the athlete and surgeon, this episode explores what happens when those goals intersect—and what the decision-making process looks like when the stakes are a professional career.

The Sports Docs Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube to stay up to date on the latest in sports medicine.
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving us a review or comment—it helps other sports medicine professionals and athletes find the show.
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover?
Email: thesportsdocspod@gmail.com
Instagram: @thesportsdocspod

In this special Athlete Highlight episode, we’re bringing together two sides of the surgical experience: the athlete who underwent surgery and the surgeon who performed it.
Professional mixed martial artist and UFC Hall of Famer Cub Swanson joins his surgeon, orthopedic spine specialist Dr. Sohrab Gollogly, for a conversation about endoscopic spine surgery—from the athlete’s perspective and the surgeon’s point of view.
In This Episode
Why spinal injuries can be particularly challenging for professional combat athletes
Cub Swanson’s experience with a spinal condition that threatened his ability to continue competing
What led to the decision to pursue endoscopic spine surgery
How minimally invasive endoscopic techniques may offer an alternative to more traditional spine procedures
The surgeon’s perspective on patient selection, motion preservation, and avoiding unnecessary fusion
What it is like to make a surgical decision when your career depends on your physical performance
The importance of balancing surgical treatment with an athlete’s goals, expectations, and desire to return to competition
The evolving role of endoscopic techniques in sports medicine and spine care
Meet Our Guests
Cub Swanson
Cub Swanson is a veteran professional mixed martial artist and one of the most respected featherweights of his generation.
Swanson turned professional in 2004 and became a standout in the WEC before making his UFC debut in 2011. Known for his exciting and aggressive fighting style, he has faced many of the biggest names in MMA and has built a professional career spanning more than two decades.
He was inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame’s Fight Wing in 2022.
Outside the Octagon, Cub is a father of three and is passionate about mentoring the next generation of fighters and giving back to the sport that helped transform his life.
Dr. Sohrab Gollogly
Dr. Sohrab Gollogly is a fellowship-trained, board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with more than 20 years of experience treating spinal disorders.
Based in Monterey, California, Dr. Gollogly specializes in minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgery, with particular interests in motion preservation and avoiding unnecessary fusion surgery.
He completed his medical training at the University of Washington, orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Utah, and advanced fellowship training in adult spine surgery in Lyon, France, as well as pediatric spine surgery in San Diego.
Dr. Gollogly is also a founding member of the EndoSpine Academy at Balgrist University Hospital in Zurich, where he is involved in surgeon education and the advancement of endoscopic spine techniques.
Why This Conversation Matters
Endoscopic spine surgery continues to evolve, and for athletes, the potential advantages of minimally invasive approaches extend beyond the operating room.
For a professional fighter, the goals may include more than relieving pain or treating a structural problem. Motion, strength, function, recovery time, and the ability to return to a high-demand sport all matter.
By hearing directly from both the athlete and surgeon, this episode explores what happens when those goals intersect—and what the decision-making process looks like when the stakes are a professional career.
Up Next -- Part Two
In the next episode, we’ll continue the discussion and shift our focus to postoperative recovery and return to play following endoscopic spine surgery.
What does recovery look like for a professional fighter? When can an athlete begin training again? And what does it take to get back to the highest level of competition?
Stay tuned for Part Two!
The Sports Docs Podcast
Hosted by Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube to stay up to date on the latest in sports medicine.
If you enjoy the podcast, please consider leaving us a review or comment—it helps other sports medicine professionals and athletes find the show.
Have feedback or a topic you'd like us to cover?
Email: thesportsdocspod@gmail.com
Instagram: @thesportsdocspod

Live from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies Conference
(& Happy Labor Day!)
In this episode of The Sports Docs Podcast, Dr. Ashley Bassett and Dr. Catherine Logan sit down LIVE from the Arthrex Team Physician Controversies with two leading ACL experts—Dr. Pat Smith and Dr. Aaron Krych—to discuss strategies to reduce failure after ACL reconstruction.
The conversation highlights the evolution of ACL surgery, focusing on graft selection, fixation, biologic augmentation, and mechanical protection, with an emphasis on optimizing outcomes in young, high-risk athletes.
Graft: Autograft vs Allograft
Strong evidence shows higher failure rates with allograft in young athletes
 MOON data: ~4–6x increased risk of failure in patients <25 years
 
Allograft best for:
 Older, lower-demand patients 
 Revision or multi-ligament cases 
Autograft Selection
Graft choice depends on:
 Age, sex, sport, and anatomy 
BTB:
 Preferred for high-level pivoting athletes 
 Strong fixation, less graft elongation 
Quadriceps tendon:
 Increasingly utilized 
 Larger graft diameter 
 Less donor-site morbidity vs BTB 
 Particularly useful in younger and female athletes 
Key insight:
 Grafts <8 mm are associated with higher failure risk
Internal Brace (IB)
Indications:
 Young athletes 
 Hyperlax patients 
 Revision ACL 
Benefits:
 Decreased graft elongation and cyclic displacement 
 Reduced postoperative laxity 
 Lower rerupture rates (~1% at 5 years in some studies) 
 Faster return to sport and improved rehab confidence 
Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis (LET)
Strong evidence supports reduced failure rates:
 Primary ACLR: ~11% → 4% (high-risk patients) 
 Revision ACLR: ~21% → 5% 
Benefits:
 Decreased pivot shift 
 Improved return to pre-injury sport 
 Cost-effective in high-risk populations 
Indications for LET
 Age ≤25 years 
 High-grade pivot shift 
 Knee hyperextension 
 Return to cutting/pivoting sports 
 Revision ACL reconstruction 
LET Surgical Technique Pearls
IT band graft (7–8 cm x 1 cm)
 Passed under or near LCL depending on technique
 Fixation near lateral epicondyle
Pearls:
 Fix in neutral rotation and ~30–60° flexion 
 Avoid overconstraint 
 Close IT band defect 
Featured Guests
Dr. Pat Smith – Hospital for Special Surgery Naples
Dr. Aaron Krych – Mayo Clinic, Team Physician for the Minnesota Timberwolves

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Our Hosts:
Catherine Logan, MD, MBA
https://www.cloganmd.com/
Ashley Bassett, MD
https://orthopedicnj.com/physicians/ashley-bassett

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