Sports Medicine Physician in West LA, CA | David Schechter, MD

Sports Medicine is a specialty I was first certified in back in 1993, and re-certified in 2003 and 2013. I bring the knowledge I’ve gained from treating athletes to everyone who deals with aches, pains, and injuries — recreational athletes, injured workers, chronic pain patients, and older adults alike. You don’t have to be a competitive athlete to benefit from a sports medicine approach; you just have to want to move better and hurt less.

A Non-Surgical Approach to Injuries and Pain

As a non-surgical Sports Medicine Physician, I’ve had the opportunity to treat world-class ice skaters, marathon runners, and high school and college football players — along with hundreds of everyday runners, tennis, basketball, and hockey players. Sports medicine is about injuries, but it’s also about fitness, sustainable exercise programs, and prevention.

My focus is on all the treatments a patient actually needs — including medications, physical therapy, activity modification, and injections where appropriate — with an emphasis on avoiding surgery whenever possible. When surgery genuinely is the right answer, I refer to top surgeons I know and trust. The goal is always to get you back to the activities you love with the least invasive path that works.

Why See a Non-Surgical Sports Medicine Physician

Sports medicine offers many patients a focus that’s missing in other fields treating similar problems. A surgeon’s training naturally centers on operative solutions; my training centers on the full range of non-operative care and on keeping you active. That means I can spend time on the things that often resolve pain without an operation — diagnosis, targeted rehab, biomechanics, and a realistic plan you can actually maintain. It also means an honest conversation about when surgery is, and isn’t, worth considering.

Conditions We Treat

I diagnose and manage a wide range of musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions, including:

• Knee injuries — sprains, meniscus and ligament problems, runner’s knee, and overuse pain.
• Shoulder injuries and frozen shoulder — rotator cuff issues, impingement, and adhesive capsulitis.
• Wrist, hand pain, and tendonitis — overuse injuries and repetitive-strain conditions.
• Hip issues, arthritis, and injuries — hip pain, bursitis, and age-related joint changes.
• Plantar fasciitis and foot pain — heel pain and other common causes of foot discomfort.
• Ankle sprains and pain — acute injuries and lingering, recurrent instability.
• Chronic pain — persistent pain, including a mind-body / neuroplastic approach when appropriate (see Mind-Body Medicine).

If you have an ache or injury that’s limiting you and you’re not sure who to see, a sports medicine evaluation is a good place to start.

Recognized Expertise

Dr. Schechter has been named a Top Doctor in Sports Medicine (non-surgical) in a number of publications, both locally and nationally.

Areas We Serve

Our West LA office treats active patients from across greater Los Angeles, including West Los Angeles, West Hollywood, Palms, Mar Vista, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Culver City, Silverlake, Los Feliz, Atwater Village, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Pasadena, Torrance, Manhattan Beach, and Long Beach — and communities all across LA.

More Than One Angle on Your Pain

Because I also practice family medicine and mind-body medicine, I can look at an injury from more than one angle. Some pain is purely structural. Some persistent pain is driven, or amplified, by stress and the nervous system. Practicing across all three areas lets me tell the difference and tailor treatment to what’s really going on — rather than treating every pain the same way.

Schedule an Appointment

To schedule a sports medicine evaluation at our West LA office, call (310) 836-2225 or use our contact page. Let’s get you moving again.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a sports medicine physician? A sports medicine physician is a doctor with specialized training in diagnosing and treating injuries and conditions related to physical activity — and in keeping people active and healthy. Sports medicine is often assumed to be the same as orthopedic surgery, but primary care physicians can complete additional training and board certification in sports medicine, with a focus on non-surgical care.

Do I have to be an athlete to see a sports medicine doctor? Not at all. I treat competitive and recreational athletes, but also weekend warriors, injured workers, people with chronic pain, and older adults. If you have aches, pains, or an injury that’s affecting your daily life, sports medicine can help.

Do you perform surgery? No — I’m a non-surgical sports medicine physician. My focus is on treatments that help you avoid surgery when possible, including medication, physical therapy, activity modification, and injections when appropriate. If surgery becomes necessary, I refer you to top surgeons I trust and stay involved in your care.

When should I see a sports medicine doctor instead of a surgeon? For most new or ongoing injuries, a non-surgical sports medicine evaluation is a sensible first step. I can diagnose the problem, start conservative treatment, and give you an honest assessment of whether surgery is even worth considering. Many injuries resolve without an operation when treated appropriately and early.

What conditions do you treat most often? Common ones include knee and shoulder injuries, frozen shoulder, hip pain and arthritis, plantar fasciitis, ankle sprains, wrist and hand tendonitis, and a variety of overuse injuries — plus chronic pain that hasn’t responded to other approaches.

Do you offer injections such as cortisone? Yes, when they’re appropriate for your diagnosis. Injections are one tool among many, and I use them selectively as part of a larger treatment plan rather than as a first resort for every problem.

Can sports medicine help with chronic or long-standing pain? Yes. In addition to standard evaluation and treatment, I use a mind-body (neuroplastic) approach for pain that’s driven or amplified by the nervous system. This is one of my areas of special interest — you can learn more on the Mind-Body Medicine page.

How do I schedule an appointment? Call the office at (310) 836-2225 or use our contact page, and we’ll get you scheduled and let you know what to bring to your visit.

Updated July 2026