Benton A. Emblom, MD, specializes in sports medicine and arthroscopic treatment of the shoulder, elbow, hip and knee. He has subspecialty expertise in hip preservation surgery and hip reconstruction.
A summa cum laude graduate of the University of Alabama, Dr. Emblom earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and mathematics. He received his medical degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine and completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at UAB Hospital.
He then completed a one-year orthopaedic sports medicine fellowship with Dr. James Andrews at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI). Following that, he completed additional training in hip arthroscopy with Dr. Thomas Byrd in Nashville, which provided focused training in arthroscopic and mini-open hip preservation surgery. Dr. Emblom’s certification in robotics allows the most technologically-advanced option for active individuals with arthritic conditions.
Dr. Emblom is a member of the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, co-founder of The Hip Center at Andrews Sports Medicine, and board member of the American Sports Medicine Institute. He has also authored numerous research papers and book chapters on topics related to orthopaedics and sports medicine. Dr. Emblom actively performs clinical and biomechanical research at the American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI).
Dr. Emblom holds a special passion for the field of sports medicine because he participated in several team sports throughout his childhood. One aspect of sports he admires most are the goals that a TEAM can accomplish TOGETHER. As head team orthopaedic surgeon for Auburn University, as well as a team physician for Hoover High School and Moody High School.
Dr. Emblom is able to passionately play an integral role on the team of accomplishing a shared goal: to foster player safety and to facilitate safe return to play after an injury. Furthermore, maintaining a lasting active lifestyle is an area of interest for Dr. Emblom. After an injury at any level, an active state of mind often endures, however, physical challenges can ensue. Dr. Emblom’s commitment to overcome these physical challenges for his athletes and patients is paramount.
Dr. Emblom’s focus area in the hip provides a continuity of care from adolescent and young adult hip preservation surgery to reconstruction in the more advanced stages. Non-arthritic hip preservation surgeries would include arthroscopic treatment of femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), labrum repair/reconstruction, endoscopic gluteus medius and proximal hamstring repair, and mini-open treatment of core muscle injury (sports hernia).
Robotics have enabled Dr. Emblom to accurately and precisely restore hip mechanics in the setting of hip reconstruction (total hip replacement). He utilizes the direct anterior (DA) approach preserving muscle and tendon, allowing quicker recovery, and eliminating long-term movement and activity precautions. The Mako robotic-assisted platform creates a mini-GPS environment within the operating room. This 3-D mapping and positioning technology ensures unmatched accuracy relative to component sizing and positioning. Patient’s leg length and muscle tensioning can be accurately restored maximizing pain relief and function.
Dr. Emblom's commonly performed arthroscopic and reconstructive procedures include: shoulder surgeries such as rotator cuff repair, instability and labral repair, and AC joint reconstruction; elbow surgeries such as ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (Tommy John), distal biceps tendon repair, arthroscopic loose body removal, and tennis elbow release; knee surgeries such as ligament reconstruction (ACL, PCL, MCL, posterolateral corner), arthroscopic meniscus repair, and patella instability (MPFL reconstruction).
Dr. Emblom and his wife, Anna, have two sets of twins: fraternal girls, Ella and Camille, and identical boys, Lawton and Haston. In his spare time, he enjoys hunting, fishing, flying and spending time outdoors with his family.
Comeback Stories
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Learn MoreOn May 11, 2023 I suffered a significant knee injury that brought my softball season to an abrupt halt. I was on the mound pitching when a Hartselle player hit a grounder up the middle. When I went to backhand the ball, my left cleat got stuck in the ground and I felt a pop in my left knee.
Alyssa Brown | Warrior, AL
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My sophomore year, I was doing box jumps during a workout when I landed awkwardly and twisted my right knee. At the time, I didn’t think too much about it, because it didn’t hurt that bad. I thought I just had a bad sprain. I had some aching pain, and I would ice my knee when it would periodically swell.
Jordan Washington | Helena, AL
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One 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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With the constant hard work and effort put into powerlifting, I began to start experiencing problems with both of my hips. In 2005, I had surgery on my left hip as I could not bend over without having serious pain in my side. I was fortunate to be in good health until 2019, when my right hip began to start giving me problems.
Richard Hagedorn | Gadsden, AL
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In 2022, during one of my fitness classes, I experienced a freak accident and immediately knew I had torn something in my hip. As I got up, I definitely knew something was seriously wrong with my hip. I called my brother, a physical therapist, and he got me an appointment at Andrews Sports Medicine to see hip preservation specialist, Dr. Benton Emblom.
Mecia Holley | Birmingham, AL
Media Center
In this edition of PA Spotlight, we introduce you to Jenny Degnan. Jenny shares details about growing up in Big Sky Country, how she transitioned from being an athletic trainer to a physician assistant, the importance of her mentors, and her new role at Andrews Sports Medicine.
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Team Affiliations
- American Sports Medicine Institute (ASMI) - Board of Directors
- Ascension St. Vincent’s Hospital Orthopaedic Co-Management Group - Board of Directors
Leadership in Athletics
- Auburn University Athletics, Head Team Orthopaedic Surgeon
- University of Alabama Athletics, Team Physician
- Hoover High School Athletics, Team Physician
- Pell City High School Athletics, Team Physician
- Moody High School Athletics, Team Physician
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), Hip Consultant
