For patient referrals: call 480-733-7400What if one of the most common sports-related injuries was still being treated with outdated advice? In this episode of Beyond the Rounds, we explore two rapidly evolving areas of sports medicine: concussion management and orthobiologic therapies. Dr. Nolan Fisher sits down with sports medicine physician Dr. Evan Werk to discuss why strict rest is no longer considered best practice for concussion recovery, how multidisciplinary treatment is improving outcomes and where therapies such as platelet-rich plasma (PRP) fit into modern musculoskeletal care.For years, concussion management centered on prolonged rest and symptom avoidance. Today, evidence supports earlier return to activity, targeted rehabilitation and individualized treatment plans based on specific symptom patterns. Dr. Werk explains how clinicians can identify concussion subtypes, guide safe return-to-play decisions and address persistent symptoms through coordinated care.The conversation also examines the growing role of orthobiologics, including PRP and bone marrow aspirate therapies. As interest in regenerative medicine continues to grow, understanding what the evidence supports—and where limitations remain—is critical for helping patients make informed treatment decisions.This episode is designed for physicians, advanced practice providers and clinicians seeking practical insights into concussion care, sports medicine and evidence-based approaches to musculoskeletal treatment.What We Cover• Why the "dark room" approach to concussion recovery is outdated• The role of early activity and active rehabilitation after concussion• How concussion subtypes guide treatment decisions• Return-to-play protocols and objective concussion assessment• Persistent post-concussion symptoms and multidisciplinary management• Common misconceptions about regenerative medicine• What PRP is and when it may be appropriate for tendinopathy and osteoarthritis• Bone marrow aspirate therapy and current evidence• The risks of overpromising results from orthobiologic treatments• How sports medicine bridges primary care, rehabilitation and orthopedic surgeryKey Topics for Clinicians• Sports medicine• Concussion management• Return-to-play protocols• Vestibular rehabilitation• Post-concussion syndrome• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)• Orthobiologics• Bone marrow aspirate therapy• Tendinopathy• Osteoarthritis• Musculoskeletal ultrasound• Exercise medicine• Active aging• Evidence-based sports medicineAbout Our GuestDr. Evan Werk is a board-certified sports medicine physician with Banner – University Medical Group. Trained in both family medicine and sports medicine, he specializes in concussion care, musculoskeletal injuries, ultrasound-guided procedures and orthobiologic therapies. His clinical practice focuses on helping athletes and active individuals safely return to the activities that matter most to them through evidence-based, patient-centered care.He sees patients at: Banner Sports Medicine Scottsdale 7400 N. Dobson Rd., Ste. 201, Scottsdale, AZ 85256Phone: 480-733-7400Fax: 480-207-2118How to Refer a Patient Banner Health providers: Use Cerner’s Ambulatory Referral Management (ARM) tool. Community providers: Fax referrals to 480-207-2118 or call 480-733-7400 to schedule a patient for evaluation. Disclaimer This podcast is intended for educational purposes only and is designed for a clinical audience. Any patient scenarios discussed are modified and de-identified to protect privacy. No protected health information (PHI) is disclosed. The information presented should not replace independent medical judgment or individualized patient care decisions. Subscribe to Beyond the Rounds for physician-focused conversations on clinical innovation, specialty collaboration and evolving standards of care.