Chuck Fryberger, MD, helps athletes shine at Georgia high school football championships

Atlanta, Ga. (December 24, 2025) — Amid the excitement of the Georgia High School Football Championships at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Piedmont Orthopedics & OrthoAtlanta specialist Chuck Fryberger, MD, shared his passion for sports medicine and his commitment to helping athletes stay in the game.

Dr. Fryberger, who specializes in orthopedic sports medicine, knows firsthand the impact injuries can have on young athletes. His journey into the field began after suffering a serious shoulder injury as a high school football player. “I had issues with shoulder dislocations and ultimately needed surgery,” he recalled. “That experience really shaped my decision to go into orthopedics.”

After earning his undergraduate degree at Auburn University and completing medical school at University of Alabama at Birmingham, Fryberger trained at the renowned Campbell Clinic in Memphis. Today, he treats a wide range of conditions, from ACL and meniscus tears to rotator cuff injuries and throwing-related shoulder and elbow problems. He also performs joint replacements, often using advanced robotic technology to improve precision and recovery outcomes.

“Robotic joint replacement systems allow us to better align implants with a patient’s anatomy,” Fryberger explained. “That accuracy can make a big difference in recovery and long-term function.”

Fryberger’s expertise may help athletes of all ages, but his true passion lies in being part of the community. “An orthopedic surgeon’s role isn’t just in the operating room,” he says. “It’s about getting young athletes back to the sports they love—sports that can open doors to college and teach lessons in teamwork and perseverance.” As team physician for Fayette County schools and Medical Director of the Fayette County Sports Medicine Outreach Program, Fryberger leads efforts to provide athletic training services to every high school in the county—including football programs like GHSA 3A state champion Sandy Creek.

During the championship games, Fryberger highlighted a growing concern: early specialization in youth sports. This trend, he explained, often leads to overuse injuries and burnout. “Kids today are bigger, faster, stronger—but when they focus on a single sport year-round, their risk of injury rises,” he said. “Studies show that athletes who play multiple sports typically enjoy better long-term outcomes.”

The event was largely injury-free, with only some minor injuries reported. Still, his presence along with other sports medicine physicians’ underscores Piedmont and OrthoAtlanta’s commitment to supporting athletes at every level.

“Helping these kids return to play and minimize downtime is what drives me,” Fryberger said. “Sports can change lives, and I’m proud to be part of that journey.”

For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact Dr. Fryberger at 770.460.1900 or visit his profile at care.piedmont.org.