Kyle R. Flik, M.D. First in Area to Receive Sports Medicine Certification

Posted on: 11/30/2009

Dr. Kyle Flik of Northeast Orthopaedics is the only orthopaedic surgeon in the Capital Region to receive subspecialty certification in sports medicine from the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS). 

Candidates are required to document proficiency in surgical procedures and also non-surgical management of sports medicine problems, followed by a four-hour examination in November 2008.  This is only the second year that the the ABOS has awarded sports medicine certification to any of the nation’s 20,000 orthopedists.   

Previously, the only subspecialty certification awarded by ABOS was for hand surgery.  According to a statement released by the American Orthopaedic Association (AOA), “This body of knowledge (sports medicine) was becoming more complex, distinct, and difficult to obtain in a five-year general residency.”  The AOA said that offering subspecialty certification in sports medicine will “raise the bar” and establish consistent educational standards in the field. 

Dr. Flik is the author of several peer-reviewed journal manuscripts, orthopaedic textbook chapters, and technique papers discussing various topics related to sports medicine. Dr. Flik is a reviewer for The American Journal of Sports Medicine. He provided on-court medical coverage for the Albany Patroons basketball franchise and for the New York Buzz, part of the World Team Tennis League. He is also an active member of the Arthroscopy Association of North America and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine.