Marcus A. Rothermich, MD, MBA is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopaedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist specializing in arthroscopic surgery, complex knee injuries, elbow reconstruction, and shoulder injuries.
He treats athletes and active adults of all ages, providing advanced orthopaedic care to help patients recover from injury, restore function, and safely return to the sports and activities they enjoy.
Dr. Rothermich treats a wide range of orthopaedic conditions, including ACL tears, meniscus injuries, rotator cuff tears, shoulder instability, cartilage injuries, elbow ligament injuries, fractures, and arthritis. He has a particular clinical interest in caring for overhead athletes, including baseball and softball players, with expertise in complex elbow injuries, UCL injuries, and advanced reconstructive procedures.
His practice also includes complex knee surgery, shoulder arthroscopy, and minimally invasive sports medicine procedures designed to restore function and maximize recovery.
In addition to sports medicine, Dr. Rothermich performs robotic-assisted partial and total knee replacement using Stryker’s Mako® SmartRobotics™ system. He helps active adults suffering from arthritis and joint degeneration return to an active lifestyle through personalized treatment plans and advanced surgical technology.
Dr. Rothermich treats patients at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center’s Birmingham, Trussville, and Cullman clinic locations.
Specialties & Conditions Treated
Dr. Rothermich specializes in the evaluation and treatment of sports injuries and orthopaedic conditions affecting the shoulder, elbow, knee, and lower extremities. His expertise includes:
- Sports injuries
- ACL tears
- Meniscus injuries
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder instability
- UCL injuries and elbow ligament injuries
- Cartilage injuries
- Shoulder and knee arthritis
- Sports-related fractures
- Complex knee injuries
- Shoulder arthroscopy
- Robotic-assisted partial and total knee replacement
Team Physician Experience
Dr. Rothermich has extensive experience caring for athletes from youth sports through collegiate, professional, and elite competition.
He currently serves as Head Team Orthopaedic Surgeon and Team Physician for Samford University Athletics and provides orthopaedic sports medicine coverage for John Carroll Catholic High School, Hewitt-Trussville High School, Pinson Valley High School, and Mortimer Jordan High School.
Throughout his career, he has also provided medical coverage for the Birmingham Squadron, Birmingham Stallions, Troy University Football, the SEC Baseball Tournament, the Birmingham Barons, Birmingham Ballet, and Mountain Brook High School Athletics.
Prior to joining Andrews Sports Medicine, Dr. Rothermich practiced with South Florida Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, where he proudly served as a consultant for the New York Mets while caring for athletes across South Florida.
Education, Residency & Fellowship Training
After graduating from the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Rothermich earned his medical degree from the University of Virginia School of Medicine, where he served as President of the Orthopaedic Society.
He completed his orthopaedic surgery residency at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in affiliation with Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, one of the nation’s premier orthopaedic training programs.
Dr. Rothermich then completed a prestigious fellowship in Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) in Birmingham, where he received advanced surgical training alongside internationally recognized sports medicine leaders.
While practicing at Andrews Sports Medicine, he also earned his Physician Executive MBA from Auburn University, further strengthening his commitment to patient care, innovation, and physician leadership.
Research, Leadership & Professional Affiliations
Dedicated to advancing the field of orthopaedic sports medicine, Dr. Rothermich is an active member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM).
He serves on the committee responsible for developing the AOSSM Self-Assessment Examination, reviews research grant applications for the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), and serves as a peer reviewer for multiple orthopaedic journals.
Dr. Rothermich has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, contributed to orthopaedic textbooks, and presented his research at national scientific meetings. He remains committed to incorporating the latest evidence-based techniques and technology into his practice to provide patients with exceptional orthopaedic care.
Patient Care Philosophy
Dr. Rothermich believes every patient—from elite athletes and competitive student-athletes to weekend warriors and active adults—deserves individualized care, meticulous attention to detail, and a collaborative treatment plan. Whether treating a sports injury, performing complex reconstructive surgery, or helping a patient overcome arthritis, his goal is always the same: helping patients safely return to the activities they love.
Outside the Clinic
Outside of medicine, Dr. Rothermich enjoys spending time with his wife, Alissa, an Emmy-nominated television journalist, and their three children, Ben, Ella, and Teddy. An avid endurance athlete himself, he has completed multiple marathons and understands firsthand the dedication, discipline, and perseverance required to return to peak performance after injury.
MEDICAL TRAINING
Orthopaedic Surgery Sports Medicine Fellowship:
American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) - (Birmingham, AL)
Orthopaedic Surgery Residency:
Washington University School of Medicine (St. Louis, MO)
EDUCATION
Medical Degree:
University of Virginia School of Medicine (Charlottesville, VA)
Graduate:
Auburn University Physicians Executive Masters of Business Administration (Auburn, AL)
Undergraduate:
University of Notre Dame (South Bend, IN)
Leadership in Athletics
- Samford University Athletics
- John Carroll Catholic High School
- Hewitt-Trussville High School
- Mortimer-Jordan High School
- Indian Springs School
- New York Mets, New York Mets High-A Affiliate
- St. Lucie Mets, New York Mets High-A Affiliate
- PGA South Florida Section
- Jenson Beach High School
- South Fork High School
- Ballet Palm Beach
- WWE Raw
- Troy University
- Mountain Brook High School
- Birmingham Barons, Chicago White Sox AA Affiliate
- Alabama Ballet
- St. Louis Rams, National Football League
- St. Louis Blues, National Hockey League
- St. Charles West High School
- Francis Howell North High School
- St. Charles High School
- Trussville Living Magazine - Best Orthopedic Surgeon (2026)
- The Cullman Times - Best of The Best - Orthopedic Clinic (2024)
- The Cullman Times - Best of The Best - Orthopedic Clinic (2023)
- The Cullman Times - Best of The Best - Orthopedic Clinic (2022)
- The Cullman Times - Best of The Best - Orthopedic Clinic (2021)
- Trussville Tribune - Readers Choice Award - Best Orthopedic Clinic (2021)
- Top Doctors of America
- Barnes-Jewish Hospital Consult Resident of the Year, finalist
- University of Virginia Center for Global Health Scholarship, recipient
- American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery, Board Certified
- Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting April 2014, San Antonio, Texas Patient Satisfaction and Residual Symptoms Following TKA and UKA: What the Patients Say When We Aren’t Around (podium presentation).
- Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting April 2014, San Antonio, TexasThe Impact of Patient Specific Guides and Mechanical and Kinematic Alignment on Patient Satisfaction and Function After TKA (poster presentation).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting March 2015, Las Vegas, Nevada Meniscal Tears Left In Situ at the Time of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (podium presentation).
- Mid-America Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting April 2015, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina Meniscal Tears Left In Situ at the Time of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (podium presentation).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting March 2016, Orlando, Florida The Impact of Previous Ipsilateral Knee Surgery on Outcomes Following Primary Total Knee Arthroplasty (poster presentation).
- Washington University J. Albert Key Alumni Society Meeting April 2016, Scottsdale, Arizona Differences in Gene Expression over Time from Injury in the Injured Anterior Cruciate Ligament Vary Based on Presence or Absence of a Concomitant Meniscus Tear (podium presentation).
- Washington University Chief Resident Graduation June 2016, St. Louis, Missouri Differences in Gene Expression over Time from Injury in the Injured Anterior Cruciate Ligament Vary Based on Presence or Absence of a Concomitant Meniscus Tear (podium presentation).
- American Sports Medicine Institute Fellowship Graduation July 2017, Birmingham, Alabama Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation).
- American Sports Medicine Institute Injuries in Baseball Course January 2018, Birmingham, Alabama Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation).
- Andrews Sports Medicine Fellowship Society Meeting June 2018, Birmingham, Alabama Research in Orthopaedics: Private vs. Multi-Center (podium presentation).
- Sun Belt Medical Directors Annual Meeting June 2018, New Orleans, Louisiana Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation).
- Southern Orthopaedic Association Annual Meeting July 2018, Palm Beach, Florida Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation).
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting July 2019, Boston, Massachusetts Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation).
- New York Mets Athletic Trainers Meeting July 2019, New York, New York Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation)
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting July 2021, Nashville, Tennessee Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Capitellum Treated with Arthroscopy (podium presentation).
- Major League Baseball Winter Meeting 2021 December 2021, Orlando, Florida Incidence of UCL Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players (podium presentation).
- American Sports Medicine Institute Injuries in Baseball Course January 2022, Birmingham, Alabama SLAP Tears and Biceps Tenodesis in Softball Players (podium presentation).
- American Sports Medicine Institute Injuries in Baseball Course January 2022, Birmingham, Alabama Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Capitellum Treated with Arthroscopy (podium presentation).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting March 2022, Chicago, Illinois Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Non-Baseball Throwing Athletes and Non-Throwing Athletes (podium presentation).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Annual Meeting March 2022, Chicago, Illinois SLAP Tears and Biceps Tenodesis in Softball Players (podium presentation).
- Blind Squirrel Society Meeting April 2022, Birmingham, Alabama ASMI Shoulder Update (podium presentation).
- Southern Orthopaedic Association at the SEC Symposium May 2022, Birmingham, Alabama Decision-Making in UCL Surgery: Repair or Reconstruction (podium presentation).
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine Annual Meeting July 2022, Colorado Springs, Colorado Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Non-Baseball Throwing Athletes and Non-Throwing Athletes (podium presentation).
2025
Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair With Internal Brace Versus Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction in Competitive Athletes
The American Journal of Sports Medicine - March, 2025
Jeffrey R Dugas, Ryan J Froom, Eric A Mussell, Sydney M Carlson, Anna E Crawford, Graham E Tulowitzky, Travis Dias, Kevin E Wilk, Arsh N Patel, Ariel L Kidwell-Chandler, Michael K Ryan, Andrew W Atkinson, Andrew H Manush, Marcus A Rothermich, Matthew P Ithurburn, Benton A Emblom, E Lyle Cain Jr
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- Wang L, Miller JP, Gado MH, McKeel DW, Rothermich MA, Miller MI, Morris JC, Csernansky JG. Abnormalities of hippocampal surface structure in very mild dementia of the Alzheimer type. NeuroImage 2006;30(1):52-60.
- Mahajan A, Rothermich MA, Gaidhane M, Kahaleh M. Esophageal self-expandable metal stent for an anastomotic colorectal stricture. Endoscopy 2011;43(Supplement 2):E415-416.
- Hart JM, Rothermich MA. Star Excursion Balance Test in the Evaluation of Dynamic Postural Stability. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care 2012;4(5):201-202.
- Rothermich MA, Hart JM. Ocular Dominance. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care 2012;4(6):249-250.
- Bogunovic L, Cherney SM, Rothermich MA, Gardner MJ. Biomechanical considerations for surgical stabilization of osteoporotic fractures. Orthopedic Clinics of North America 2013;44(2):183-200.
- Rothermich MA, Buchowski JM, Bumpass DB, Patterson GA. Pulmonary cement embolization after vertebroplasty requiring pulmonary wedge resection. Clinical Orthopedics and Related Research 2014;472(5):1652-1657.
- Rothermich MA, Hart JM. Clinical J-Sign in the Evaluation of Patellofemoral Pain. Athletic Training & Sports Health Care 2014;6(6):246-247.
- Rothermich MA, Glaviano NR, Li J, Hart JM. Patellofemoral Pain: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, and Treatment Options. Clinics in Sports Medicine 2015;34:313-327.
- Rothermich MA, Cohen JA, Wright RW. Stable Meniscal Tears Left In Situ at the Time of Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Systematic Review. Journal of Knee Surgery 2016;29:228-234.
- Rothermich MA, Nepple JJ, Raup VT, O’Donnell JC, Luhmann SJ. A Comparative Analysis of International Knee Documentation Committee Scores for Common Pediatric Knee Injuries. Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics 2016;36:274-277.
- Rothermich MA, Nam D, Li KL, Brophy RH, Barrack RL, Nunley RM. The Impact of Prior Surgery after Total Knee Arthroplasty. Journal of Knee Surgery 2017;30(1):57-62.
- Hippensteel KJ, Rothermich MA, Wright RW. Graft Harvest Techniques for Knee Ligament Reconstruction. In: Johnson D, ed. Master Techniques in Orthopaedic Surgery: Reconstructive Knee Surgery. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2017:170-181.
- Rothermich MA, Conte SA, Aune KT, Fleisig GS, Cain EL Jr., Dugas JR. Incidence of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2018 Apr 11.
- Brophy RH, Rothermich MA, Tycksen ED, Cai L, Rai MF. Presence of Meniscus Tear Alters Gene Expression Profile of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 2018 Apr 18.
- Conte S, Camp CL, Rothermich MA. Epidemiology of Baseball Injuries: From Adolescents to the Pros. In: Ahmad C, ed. Baseball Sports Medicine. In: Ahmad CS and Romeo AA, ed. Baseball Sports Medicine. 1st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2019:2-16.
- Wilk KE, Bagwell MS, Rothermich MA, Dugas JR. Repair of the Ulnar Collateral Ligament of the Elbow: Rehabilitation Post Internal Brace Surgery. Journal of Orthopaedic Sports Physical Therapy 2019 Apr;49(4):253-261.
- Dugas JR, Looze CA, Jones C, Walters BL, Rothermich MA, Aune KT, Emblom BA, Fleisig GS, Cain EL Jr. Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair with Internal Brace Augmentation in Overhead Throwing Athletes. American Journal of Sports Medicine 2019 Apr;47(5):1096-1102.
- Rothermich MA, Dugas JR. Ulnar Collateral Ligament Reconstruction: American Sports Medicine Institute Technique and Outcomes. In: Dines J, ed. Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injury: A Guide to Diagnosis and Treatment. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer; 2021;223-234.
- Rothermich MA, Fleisig GS, Conte SA, Hart KM, Cain EL, Dugas JR. Short-Term Trends in Elbow Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Collegiate Baseball Players: An Analysis of 25,587 Player-Years. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2021 Jul;9(7):23259671211016846.
- Rothermich MA, Fleisig GS, Lucas HE, Ryan MK, Emblom BA, Cain EL, Dugas JR. Early Complications of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Repair with Collagen-Coated Suture Tape Augmentation. Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine 2021 Oct;9(10):23259671211038320.
- Rothermich MA, Ryan MK, Fleisig GS, Layton BO, Mussell EA, Andrews JR, Emblom BA, Cain EL, Dugas JR. Clinical Outcomes and Return to Play in Softball Players Following SLAP Repair or Biceps Tenodesis (in production).
- Rothermich MA, Pharr ZK, Mundy AC, Fleisig GS, Mussell EA, Ryan MK, Bernier HM, Ostrander B, Slowik JS, Emblom BA, Cain EL, Dugas JR. Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Non-Throwing Athletes (in production).
- Fleisig GS, Slowik JS, Daggett M, Rothermich MA, Cain EL, Wilk KE. Active Range of Motion of the Shoulder: A Cross-Sectional Study of 6,635 Subjects (in production).
- Rothermich MA, Mussell EA, Ryan MK, Fleisig GS, Sitton SE, Emblom BA, Dugas JR, Andrews JR, Cain EL. Long-Term Clinical Outcomes of Osteochondritis Dissecans Lesions of the Capitellum Treated with Arthroscopy (in production).
- Rothermich MA, Mundy AC, Pharr ZK, Fleisig GS, Mussell EA, Ryan MK, Bernier HM, Ostrander B, Slowik JS, Emblom BA, Cain EL, Dugas JR. Clinical Outcomes of Ulnar Collateral Ligament Surgery in Non-Baseball Throwing Athletes (in production).
- Ryan MK, Rothermich MA, Ithurburn MP, Emblom BA, Dugas JR, Cain EL. Comparative Efficiency and Cost Savings Between a Three-in-One Arthroscopic Shaver, Bone Cutter, and Ablation Device and the Respective Individual Components (in production).
- Outcomes of Surgical Treatment for Multiligament Knee Injuries in a Cohort Including Competitive Athletes With Long-Term Follow-Up.
Mussell EA, Crawford AE, Ithurburn MP, Layton Bo, BS, Fleisig GS, Rothermich MA, Emblom BA, Ryan MD, Dugas JR, Andrews JR, Cain EL, Jr.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine. 2024;12(9).
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS)
- American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM)
- Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF)
Comeback Stories
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Learn MoreFinding My Identity – A Baseball Comeback Story: Ryder overcame a career-altering injury and months of uncertainty, returning stronger to prove that resilience, discipline, and trusting the process can redefine both an athlete and a career.
Ryder Chambers | Leeds, AL -
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When I was 12 years old, I had a I had a had really bad knee injury playing football. On September 20, 2022 our 6th grade Trussville football team was playing on the road in Chelsea. I was lined up at wide receiver, and I took a jet sweep handoff to the right side. When I cut back to go left, the defender grabbed me and attempted to make a horse collar tackle. When I planted my foot to go left, he pulled me back to the right and my cleat go stuck in the ground. I immediately felt a pop in my right knee and I knew I was done for the game.
Bowman Dahlke | Trussville, AL -
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During the sixth game of our 2022 USFL season, I once again injured my left knee. Two days later, I was at Andrews Sports Medicine, where our Stallions team doctor, Dr. Marc Rothermich, diagnosed me with a quad tear in my left knee. Unfortunately, my season was over.
Brody Buck | Omaha, NE -
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I had been having pain in my right knee for quite some time. The cartilage had been worn down due to a lot of physical activity. We have a house in North Georgia, and we like to hike and walk. The pain kept getting worse and worse and I tried several things apart from surgery. I took a trip to Arkansas about a week before my surgery. I had trouble walking and I experienced a lot of pain. At this point I knew I needed surgery.
Jack J. Phillips, Ph.D. | Birmingham, AL -
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My parents scheduled an appointment for me with Dr. Marcus Rothermich and he was great. He scheduled me for an MRI and I was able to see him the next day. Dr. Rothermich thoroughly explained all of my options: I could wait until the summer and get shots to help with the pain for the time being, or I could have surgery immediately so I would be ready for college in the fall. I chose to go ahead and have the surgery at the end of January of this year.
Hannah Price | Greenhill, AL
Media Center
In this edition of PA Spotlight, we introduce you to Kristin Gunderson Hiott, PA-C, RDN. Kristin shares details about starting her career at Andrews Sports Medicine this year, working alongside Marc Rothermich, MD, and her new life in Trussville, AL.
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Team Affiliations
