For Summit sports medicine surgeon Mark LaBelle, M.D., listening is the cornerstone of his practice philosophy.
For Summit sports medicine surgeon Mark LaBelle, M.D., orthopedics is a specialty that focuses not just on healing illness or injury, but also on restoring good health.
“What excited me about orthopedics initially is the fact that the patients get better,” Dr. LaBelle said. “Seeing patients return to healthy lifestyles that bring them satisfaction in their lives is the best part of my job.”
About Dr. LaBelle
Dr. LaBelle was born and raised in the suburbs of Chicago, the third of eight children. He was exposed to orthopedics at a young age by his father, who is also an orthopedic surgeon. Dr. LaBelle earned his undergraduate and medical degrees at Northwestern University, followed by residency training in orthopedic surgery at Case Western Reserve University. He went on to pursue a fellowship at the University of Utah, focusing on shoulder arthroplasty and advanced arthroscopic techniques of the knee and shoulder.
Dr. LaBelle works with patients to achieve a return to health by listening closely to them. “My approach to patient care is, I will listen and understand patients and what their goals are. All patients have different goals and different problems, and my goal is to understand where they are and what their goals are,” Dr. LaBelle said.
Dr. LaBelle’s sports medicine philosophy
Although the term “sports medicine” might make you think of elite athletes, sports medicine specialists like Dr. LaBelle can help anyone. “Although we do treat high-level athletes in sports medicine, many of our patients are regular, active people looking to meet their recreational goals without pain and disability,” Dr. LaBelle said. “My goal is not just to treat a condition that I see on an MRI or X-ray, but also to understand what patients want to be able to do without pain, so that I can help them achieve those goals.”
Dr. LaBelle’s specialty areas
Dr. LaBelle specializes in helping people of all ages who have injuries to the knee and shoulder. For the shoulder, he treats shoulder instability, rotator cuff pathology, biceps injuries, and arthritic conditions. For the knee, Dr. LaBelle will treat cartilage injuries, ACL injuries, complex multiligamentous injuries, and patellar instability, as well as perform osteotomies. He will also treat patients with fractures of the lower extremity, arm, and shoulder. At Summit, he will be performing shoulder arthroplasty in addition to a range of other surgical and nonsurgical treatments.
When he is not working, Dr. LaBelle tries to keep up with his two young children. He and his family like to do outdoor activities, including skiing, hiking, and spending time out on the lake. He is an avid football fan as well.
Summit Orthopedics offers comprehensive sports medicine expertise
From Olympians to pro athletes to kids in youth sports and those that just want to be more active—Summit Orthopedics delivers expert care by fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians like Dr. LaBelle. If you are recently injured or concerned about ongoing pain, Summit Orthopedics sports medicine specialists have the expertise to evaluate your discomfort and develop a plan to quickly and safely help you get back to being active.
Start your journey to stronger, healthier athletic condition. Find your sports medicine expert, request an appointment online, or call us at (651) 968–5201 to schedule a sports medicine consultation.
More resources for you:
- Learn when to see a sports medicine surgeon.
- Take a look at Summit’s sports and active medicine services.
