José “Jody” O. Ortega, MD, is a board-certified physician specializing in non-surgical orthopaedic sports medicine at Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center.
He sees patients in Birmingham and Hoover-Hwy. 280, helping athletes and active individuals recover from injury, manage joint pain and stay engaged in the activities they love.
Non-Surgical Sports Medicine for Every Stage of Life
Dr. Ortega treats a wide range of musculoskeletal and sports-related conditions in patients of all ages—from young athletes and weekend warriors to active older adults. He has a particular interest in conservative treatment for knee osteoarthritis, including viscosupplementation. He works with each patient to develop a treatment plan that supports their goals and helps them return to activity.
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Dr. Ortega understands how much it means to keep moving. He serves as a team physician for Briarwood Christian School and Oak Mountain High School. His experience also includes decades of service as medical director of the Mercedes Marathon and team physician for Birmingham-Southern College. He was also a member of the NFL Europe World Bowl medical team.
Training, Leadership & Community Involvement
Dr. Ortega earned his bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Auburn University and his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He completed his internal medicine residency at Baptist Health System in Birmingham and a primary care sports medicine fellowship at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI).
He is certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and holds a Certificate of Added Qualification in Sports Medicine. He is a member of the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine and the American College of Sports Medicine.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Ortega enjoys spending time with his wife, Trixie, and their three adult sons, Sullivan, Cooper and Andrew. He also enjoys golf, basketball, fishing and staying active.
- American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) - Director, Primary Care Sports Fellowship
- Briarwood Christian School - Team Physician
- Oak Mountain High School - Team Physician
- Homewood High School - Former Team Physician
- Mercedes Marathon - Served as Medical Director
- USFL Medical Advisory Committee - Served as Primary Care Sports Medicine Committee Member
Comeback Stories
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Learn MoreOne day during basketball practice, I took an awkward step on the court and felt a pain and sensation in my hip. I remember thinking to myself, "that step didn't feel right."
Reagan Riley | Mountain Brook, AL -
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During a game versus Helena High School, I was playing in the wide receiver position. As I jumped in the air to catch the football, my knee collided with another girl. As soon as I took a step, I heard a pop. I felt some initial pain, but was able to keep playing. The situation was really scary because our flag football coach also happened to be my soccer coach. We were both worried about what an injury could mean for me as the starting goalie.
Kate Murray | Birmingham, AL -
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During an away basketball game vs Sumiton Christian my senior year, I leaped to block a shot and when I landed felt intense pain as my knee twisted. The diagnosis revealed a torn ACL and a partial meniscus tear, which felt like a major setback.
Brady Nelson | Bessemer, AL -
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I've had bad hips and knees for most of my adult life due playing sports as a kid and teenager. Growing up, I played baseball and football and because of the years of wear and tear, I started suffering from bi-lateral osteoarthritis in my knees and hips.
In the summer of 2014, the pain and discomfort in my left hip really started bothering me. My breaking point is when our family took a Gulf Coast vacation and I couldn't physically walk on the beach with my wife and kids because of the excruciating hip pain.
James Suchey | Warrior, AL -
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My name is Andrew Edmondson and I am a 16-year-old sophomore at Oak Grove High School. I play for both the football and baseball teams, and love both programs dearly.
At a JV baseball game against Hueytown on March 18, 2018, I was up to bat. I hit a ball deep into left field and as I rounded first base I noticed that it was going to be close at second base, so I decided to slide head first into second. As I slid, I rolled all of my body weight on my shoulder and it dislocated. As I sat on second base, I decided to pop it back in.
Andrew Edmondson | Adger, AL
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