Christopher Pokabla, MD of OrthoSouth Renews Board Certification as Subspecialist in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine

Pokabla is one of four OrthoSouth physicians with special designation in Sports Medicine Subspecialty. Three others hold special certification in Hand Surgery.

December 21, Memphis, TN – OrthoSouth is proud to acknowledge Christopher Pokabla, MD’s recent renewal of his subspecialty certificate in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine through the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgeons (ABOS).

According to ABOS, “[t]he Subspecialty Certificate in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine is for Board-Certified orthopaedic surgeons who have demonstrated qualifications in sports medicine beyond those expected of other orthopaedic surgeons by virtue of additional training, a practice characterized by a volume of cases in sports medicine, or have made significant contributions to this field.”

Physicians who possess the advanced certificate have completed a fellowship in orthopedic sports medicine, completed a certain number of specialty surgical and non-operative cases, and passed a four hour examination. Certification lasts for 10 years. Physicians who recertify at the end of the initial certification period, like Dr. Pokabla, must pass a new examination. There are currently 2,616 physicians who hold an Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Subspecialty Certificate across the country.

Three other OrthoSouth physicians possess the ABOS Orthopaedic Sports Medicine subspecialty certification:

• David Deneka, MD
• Christopher Ferguson, MD
• Thomas Giel, MD

ABOS also offers a subspecialty certification in Surgery of the Hand, which is for “Board-Certified orthopaedic surgeons who have demonstrated qualifications in hand surgery or microvascular surgery beyond those expected of other orthopaedic surgeons by virtue of additional training and a practice characterized by volume and diversity of cases in hand surgery, or have made significant contributions to this field.” Currently, three OrthoSouth hand surgeons possess this certification:

• Tyler Cannon, MD
• Jeffrey Cole, MD
• Daniel Fletcher, MD

OrthoSouth’s seven subspecialty certified physicians have demonstrated both an expertise in their fields of knowledge as well as the initiative to pursue advanced training beyond that which is required to practice. We commend them for going above and beyond to make meaningful contributions to their field as well as to continue honing their skills to meet the needs of orthopedic patients in the Greater Memphis and North Mississippi areas.