Dr Mark Ridgewell

Dr Mark Ridgewell is a Consultant Sport and Exercise Medicine Physician. His main field is the management of soft tissue and overuse injuries across the whole spectrum from elite performers to those who are wishing to undertake low-level exercise. He specialises in the prevention and management of overuse injuries and rehabilitation. He also sees many patients who are suffering from overtraining or fatigue.

Dr Ridgewell became the first doctor in Wales to be appointed to the GMC Specialist Register in Sport and Exercise Medicine in 2010. He works for Swansea Bay University Health Board as the Clinical Lead specialist service, which sees over 13000 patients with soft tissue, bone and joint problems annually. He has worked at international level across a wide variety of sports including rugby, football, athletics, swimming, cricket, hockey, netball, cycling, and gymnastics. He has attended 3 Commonwealth Games as Sports Physician to Team Wales.

Mark has been Programme Director of the internationally regarded Masters in Sport & Exercise Medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University and is still Hon. Principal Lecturer. He constantly updates his learning via his teaching posts and has acted as a mentor for many junior doctors and physiotherapists who have risen to prominent roles over the years.

Over the last 28 years, Dr Ridgewell has 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. He works with World, Olympic and Paralympic champions across several sports. He has excellent communication skills and liaises closely with Physiotherapists, Osteopaths/Chiropractors and Orthopaedic Surgeons to determine the best management plan to bring good outcomes for his patients.

He understands the significant effects that injury and pain can have on a normal day to day life and very much encourages physical activity in his treatment plans.

Recent and current appointments:
•    Lead Sports Physician High-Performance Unit at Sport Wales Institute, Cardiff 2003-2020
•    JLT Condor (to 2019)and Team Storey Cycling Racing Teams
•    Tournament Player Physician Aegon Classic WTA Premier Birmingham 2013- present
•    2005-2012 Doctor To Wales Football Team
•    1991-2014 Team doctor to Scarlets, Ospreys and Swansea Rugby Club
•    2000-2003 Senior Medical Adviser ECB

Mark provides specialist advice on rehabilitation from injury, injury prevention. He uses diagnostic ultrasound, guided injections of steroid, hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma when indicated and shockwave (ESWT) for tendon and other soft tissue injuries.

MBBS, FFSEM, MSc, DRCOG, Dip MSK US

•    Fellow of the Faculty of Sport and Exercise Medicine
•    Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners
•    British Association of Sport and Exercise medicine