Dr Mark Ridgewell

I am a Consultant Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician. My main field is the management of musculoskeletal (bone, muscle and other soft tissue) and overuse injuries across the whole spectrum from elite performers to those who are wishing to undertake low level exercise. I specialise in the prevention and management of overuse injuries all over the body as well as rehabilitation.

I became the first doctor in Wales to be appointed to the GMC Specialist Register in Sport and Exercise Medicine in 2010. I work for Swansea Bay University Health Board as the Clinical Lead of the Musculoskeletal Clinical Assessment Service, which sees over 12,000 patients annually. I have worked at international level across a wide variety of sports including rugby, football, athletics, swimming, cricket, hockey, netball, cycling, and gymnastics. Glasgow 2014 was my third Commonwealth Games as Doctor to Team Wales.

I was instrumental in the setting-up and design of the internationally regarded Masters in Sport and Exercise Medicine course at Cardiff Metropolitan University since 1999 and was Programme Director of the course for many years. I am still a Principal Lecturer at the University. I constantly update my learning via my teaching posts and have acted as a mentor for many junior doctors and physiotherapists who have risen to prominent roles over the years.

Over the last 20 years I have gained considerable experience on the management of sporting injuries, specialising in the non-surgical treatment of soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, tendons and ligaments, particularly in the exercising population. I work with world, Olympic and Paralympic champions across several sports.

I have excellent communication skills and liaise closely with Physiotherapists, Osteopaths/Chiropractors and Orthopaedic Surgeons to determine the best management plan to bring good outcomes for my patients. I understand the significant effects that injury and pain can have on normal day to day life and very much encourage physical activity in my treatment plans.