The best of both worlds – Dr. Vinay Chopra combines his love of sports with his passion for healthcare

Dr. Chopra’s feature in Community Magazine from April

By:  | April 18, 2024 |  Features |  Middletown

By Gena Ansell-Lande

Dr. Vinay Chopra was always drawn to the field of sports medicine even during his early days. As an avid sports fan and medical student, the pairing just seemed natural. These days he is part of a top-notch team of physicians treating patients at five locations across New Jersey.

Genesis Orthopedic & Spine offers a myriad of treatments for patients, including minimally invasive surgery, regenerative medicine procedures, and diagnosing concussions using neuropsychological and balance testing. Dr. Chopra completed his fellowship training in sports medicine while serving among the team physicians for the New York Jets. This experience undoubtedly prepared him well for his future practice.

We had a chance to speak with Dr. Chopra recently about his practice and life in the world of sports medicine. Here is what he had to say:

Community Magazine: What attracted you to the field of sports medicine?

Dr. Chopra: During medical school and residency, I found myself drawn to the surgical and medical specialty of orthopedics. As an avid sports fan, becoming a sports medicine physician brought together the best of both worlds where I can treat orthopedic injuries in the professional, college, high school, and every-day athlete.

CM: What are some of the most common conditions that you treat on a daily basis?

Dr. Chopra: I treat orthopedic and sports medicine-related conditions such as knee, shoulder, hip, elbow, ankle, neck, and back injuries. I also have formal training in diagnosing and treating concussion, which is a form of mild traumatic brain injury. I was fortunate enough to receive extensive training in ultrasound guided and regenerative medicine procedures such as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), adipose, bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) injections, and TenJet tenotomy. I offer my patients a wide range of treatment options, from conservative such as physical therapy, to minimally invasive procedures. Our practice also offers traditional orthopedic surgery for injuries or conditions that do not respond to conservative measures.

CM: What is one piece of advice you would give to parents about kids and football?

Dr. Chopra: Football is a remarkable team sport. There have been many concerns raised in the last few years regarding concussion and long-term brain injury in contact athletes. Fortunately, there is tons of research being done which is helping to improve the game of football, such as new helmet design, improved tackling techniques, and recognizing and treating a concussion early in its course. I would tell parents to have an open discussion with their athlete about the risks and ways to reduce injury by speaking to the team trainers, coaches, and physician. This would improve their overall experience with the sport and reduce the risk of injury.

CM: What is the most rewarding part about your profession?

Dr. Chopra: The most rewarding part about my profession is my ability to inspire others to do their best in the field of sports medicine such as the medical students and residents I work with. Most importantly, my profession allows me to become an important role model for my own children as they continue to grow up, which is extremely rewarding. I also love helping my patients heal so they can return to the activities they love.

CM: What was your experience like working with the New York Jets?

Dr. Chopra: This was truly an unforgettable experience. I was able to learn and spend time with the cream of the crop in the medical field as the team physicians for the team. It was great to interact with professional athletes and spend time covering their training camp and NFL games as a sideline physician during fellowship.

CM: What is it like being the ringside physician for the mixed martial arts events and cage fury fighting championships?

Dr. Chopra: I have been a ringside physician for mixed martial arts events for about 12 years and have (medically) covered numerous main events across multiple promotions. Some of these include UFC, Bellator, Cage Fury Fighting Championships, Dead Serious, and USA Boxing. It is a fast paced, thrilling experience where you must make a quick decision to ensure the fighter remains safe. I believe the extensive training I received in residency and fellowship, and the mentorship of the physicians I have worked with in the past have helped me in becoming successful as a ringside physician.

CM: What are the more challenging aspects of your practice?

Dr. Chopra:  I believe my greatest challenge is finding the ideal balance of being a physician and a business owner at the same time. Medical school, residency, and fellowship did an excellent job in preparing me to become a sports medicine physician, however, learning how to own and run a business is something that was self taught. Ultimately, these experiences and challenges have made me into a well-rounded professional.

CM: What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?

Dr. Chopra: Spending time with my family is what I enjoy the most. Outside of that, I love sports and watching football, baseball, soccer, and basketball. I consider myself a world-traveler and visit different countries each year with my family. I am definitely a foodie and love fine dining, especially French, Indian, and American cuisines. Finally, I am an avid collector of watches and love learning about various manufacturers.

CM: Tell us about your family and what you enjoy most about living in Monmouth County.

Dr.Chopra: I am proud to say that I was born and raised in New Jersey and have lived here my entire life. My family moved to Freehold Township in 2000 during my years as a college student at Rutgers University. Since 2016, I have been a resident of Colts Neck and I believe Monmouth County is an excellent place to raise a family. It is a terrific quality of life and am proud to be a practicing physician here knowing I can give back to the community in which I live.

Genesis Orthopedic and Spine has a convenient location in Middletown with four additional locations in Westfield, West Orange, Morristown, and Ridgewood. For more information, visit www.gsamedicine.com.