Dr. James Andrews redefines surgical standard for injured athletes

The faces of dozens of famous sports super stars smile down from the walls of the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center…patients who are living examples of Dr. James Andrews’  medical miracles.

66-year-old Andrews designed the center for two purposes -  to provide the latest surgical technologies - all under one roof - for athletes whose injuries need to be diagnosed, repaired and rehabbed.

Secondly - to house a world class teaching facility.

“I feel like Moses. I’ve been wandering around in the desert for 5 years, waiting on this facility,“ says Dr. Andrews.

Andrews and his team work out of 12 operating rooms, many flanked by viewing galleries. 

Our cameras roll from behind a glass window. The galleries allows trainers, coaches, students and parents to watch every move.

Andrews is operating on an athlete’s shoulder, holding a shaver with his left hand -controlling its speed and direction with a foot pedal.  His right hand grips the camera providing the image that guides him. 

Andrews - a former pole vault champion for L.S.U. - says he tackles every surgery with a competitive spirit.

His first passion in life is to beat injuries.

“My playing field now - instead of it being the football or baseball field - it’s the operating room,“ says Andrews.

His victories add up to big paydays.

Fast Company magazine recently surveyed a dozen of Andrews’ baseball patients.

His repairs have allowed them to continue playing for a combined salary of $1.3 billion.

Ten NFL quarterbacks report making $333 million after Andrews rescued their careers.

The local economy wins too when big stars move in for months of medical attention.

The Greater Birmingham Convention and Visitors Bureau estimates Andrews’ practice has an annual $15 million dollar economic impact.

Andrews is quick to share the credit with his doctors, nurses and physical therapists.

“It’s not an I situation with me. It’s really a we situation. It’s a team effort another words,“ says Andrews.

In turn - they describe him as inspiring.

“He works harder than anybody I know. He’s like the energizer bunny. He’s got tireless energy,“ says Dr. Jeff Dugas, one of Andrews partners.

The whole center strives to live up to a motto from Andrews’ wife Jenelle:

“She says, ‘If you’re still talking about what you did yesterday, you’re not doing much today.‘ So we live by that,“ says Andrews.

Dr. Andrews second passion in life is preventing injuries.

His foundation is heavily involved in researching how and where injuries start, especially in young athletes.

Andrews warns there’s a growing epidemic in youth sports.

He estimates injuries have increased five- fold since the year 2000.

“We certainly can cut way back on the number of injuries with just common sense information,“ says Andrews.

Andrews is dedicating the twilight of his career to researching injuries in young athletes and establishing better guidelines to protect the sports stars of tomorrow.