Life-restoring Care for Active People
Who Benefits from Sports Medicine?
Whether you are a student athlete or an older adult who is active in everyday life and activities, sports medicine can help you! Non-surgical rehabilitation can be extremely beneficial for sprains and general inflammation, but sometimes surgical intervention becomes necessary. At the end of the day, sports medicine will help patients overcome injury and get back to enjoying being active!
Orthopedic Procedures
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- A minimally surgery using a tiny camera (arthroscope) and small instruments inserted through buttonhole-sized incisions. It is used to diagnose and treat issues like impingement, labral tears, rotator cuff tears or loose bodies, allowing for faster recovery and less tissue trauma compared to open surgery.
- Rotator Cuff Repair
- A procedure—often done arthroscopically—to reattach torn rotator cuff tendons to the proximal humerus (upper arm bone). Suture anchors are used to repair the tendon to bone.
- Shoulder Instability Surgery
- Procedures designed to stabilize a dislocated or loose shoulder by repairing the torn labrum or tightening the shoulder capsule. In cases of significant bone loss, a Latarjet procedure (moving a piece of your own bone) or distal tibial allograft reconstruction (replacing bone loss with donor bone) may be used restore missing bone from recurrent dislocations.
- Shoulder Replacement (Arthroplasty)
- A procedure replacing a damaged joint with prosthetic components. An anatomic replacement swaps the ball and socket, while a reverse replacement (often for severe rotator cuff issues or significant bone loss arthritis) reverses these positions to use the deltoid muscle for movement.
- Knee Arthroscopy
- A minimally invasive technique utilizing a camera to examine and treat knee issues, such as cleaning up loose cartilage (debridement) or trimming damaged meniscus, typically performed on an outpatient basis.
- Meniscus Repair
- A specialized arthroscopic procedure designed to sew the torn edges of the meniscus (the cartilage cushion) back together, rather than removing them. This is intended to preserve the joint and prevent future arthritis, usually requiring a longer non-weight-bearing recovery than a simple trim (menisectomy).
- ACL/PCL Reconstruction
- A surgical procedure to replace a torn ligament (ACL or PCL) in the knee. The damaged ligament is removed and replaced with a graft (typically from the patient’s patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon or a donor tendon) to restore structural stability to the knee.
- MCL Repair/Reconstruction
- A procedure to repair or reconstruct the Medial Collateral Ligament, located on the inner side of the knee. It involves directly repairing or using a graft to tighten or replace the torn ligament.
- Patellofemoral Instability Surgery
- Surgical interventions aimed at stabilizing the kneecap (patella) when it slides out of its groove. This procedures involves reconstructing the MPFL (Medial Patellofemoral Ligament) to keep the knee cap from subluxing or dislocating laterally.
- High Ankle Sprain Surgery (Syndesmosis Repair)
- A surgical repair of the ligaments connecting the tibia and fibula. This is required if the ankle joint is unstable, and typically involves placing a screw or specialized suture device across the bones to hold them in place while they heal.
- Achilles Tendon Repair
- A surgical procedure used to reconnect the ruptured Achilles tendon at the back of the ankle. The torn ends are sutured together. This procedure may be performed open or utilizing a minimally invasive approach to allow for improved healing if the specific injury is amenable to this type of repair.
- Fracture Care
- Surgical management (Open Reduction Internal Fixation – ORIF) of severe breaks, using plates, screws, or rods to stabilize bones while they heal. It ensures proper alignment of the bone fragments.
- Distal Biceps Repair
- Surgery to reattach the distal biceps tendon to the forearm bone (radius) after it has torn near the elbow. This is crucial for regaining strength in forearm supination/rotation and elbow flexion, typically performed soon after the injury.
- Triceps Repair
- Surgery to reattach the distal triceps tendon after his torn from the elbow. This is crucial for regaining strength with elbow extension, typically perform soon after the injury.
Sports Medicine Team
Orthopedic Surgeon
James Nemunaitis, DO, MHSA
Education and Training
Medical School
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Erie, PA
Residency
Millcreek Community Hospital, Erie, PA
Fellowship
University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY
Dr. James Nemunaitis, DO: Experience with Sports Medicine and Helping Non-Athletes
James Nemunaitis, DO, MHSA
AKA: Dr. Nemo!
Dr. James Nemunaitis, DO, MHSA, affectionately called “Dr. Nemo” by many of his patients, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and shoulder care. Practicing at Orthopedic Associates of Meadville in Meadville, Pennsylvania, he is dedicated to helping active individuals of all ages recover from injuries and return to the activities they love.
A native of the region, Dr. Nemunaitis grew up in Brecksville-Broadview Heights, Ohio, where he graduated from Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School in 2007 with an honors diploma. An accomplished athlete himself, he was a four-year letter winner in wrestling at John Carroll University, earning recognition as an NCAA Scholar All-American for his excellence both on the mat and in the classroom.
He earned his undergraduate degree from John Carroll University in 2012, majoring in biochemistry with a minor in Spanish. He then completed his medical education at the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine (LECOM) in Erie, Pennsylvania, graduating with his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) degree in 2016. Following medical school, he earned his Master of Health Services Administration (MHSA) from LECOM in 2018.
Dr. Nemunaitis went on to complete his orthopedic surgery residency at LECOM Millcreek Community Hospital in 2021. During his residency training, he assisted in caring for professional and collegiate athletes, including the Erie Otters (OHL hockey), Erie Bayhawks (G League basketball), and Mercyhurst University athletes. He then completed a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine at the University of Rochester Medical Center in 2022, where he served as a team physician for St. John Fisher University and the Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A baseball affiliate of the Washington Nationals).
His clinical expertise focuses on sports-related injuries of the shoulder, knee, hip, and ankle, as well as general fracture care. He is recognized as one of the highest-volume shoulder arthroplasty surgeons in northwestern Pennsylvania, performing advanced procedures including total shoulder replacements and reverse shoulder arthroplasty with excellent outcomes.
Dr. Nemunaitis takes a patient-centered approach, tailoring treatment plans to each individual’s lifestyle, goals, and preferences—whether through conservative management, arthroscopic techniques, or surgical intervention. Drawing from his own background as a competitive athlete and his extensive experience with teams across levels, he prioritizes clear communication, shared decision-making, and compassionate care to empower patients in their recovery journey.
Outside the operating room, Dr. Nemunaitis enjoys spending quality time with his family, as well as hunting, fishing, and hiking—activities that keep him connected to the outdoors and the Northwest Pennsylvania community he serves. He welcomes new patients and looks forward to helping you regain mobility, strength, and confidence.
Physician Assistant
Amanda Bowes, PA-C
Amanda Bowes, PA-C
Amanda Bowes obtained a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Allegheny College and her Master in Physician Assistant Studies from Chatham University. She joined Orthopedic Associates of Meadville in 2011.