Dr. Drew Warnick, MD

Dr. Drew Warnick, MD is a Sports Medicine physician practicing at our Saint Petersburg, FL clinic, dedicated to empowering patients with proactive, comprehensive care. He is registered with The Florida Board of Medicine and practices under the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice). Your Sports Medicine physician is your primary partner in creating a long-term health plan, coordinating preventative screenings, and managing your overall wellness to keep you active and injury-free. He serves individuals of all ages, from youth to senior athletes, and active people, and is currently welcoming new patients to begin their proactive health journey. Call (727) 562-6864 to schedule. Dr. Warnick, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, graduated from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and completed a residency in orthopaedic surgery at Loyola University Medical Center, followed by a fellowship in pediatric orthopaedic surgery and pediatric sports medicine at the Atlanta Scottish Rite Hospital for Children. Further specializing his expertise, he pursued additional training at the Adidas Sports Medicine Clinic in Auckland, New Zealand. With over 20 years of dedicated experience in Sports Medicine care, he brings a wealth of clinical knowledge and compassionate care to his patients and their families. He earned his medical degree from Hospital Fernandez in 2004, and completed Sports Medicine residency training at Loyola University Medical Center in 2009, followed by a fellowship in Children's Orthopaedics in 2010. He is an Affiliate Assistant Professor in the USF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine, and his interests include pediatric sports medicine and hip problems in children and adolescents. Dr. Warnick offers consultations in Spanish.

A key part of the WePrevent mission is building your personalized prevention roadmap. Dr. Drew Warnick is a vital partner in this journey, focusing on proactive strategies to protect and enhance your long-term health.

By working together, you and Dr. Drew Warnick can create a clear, actionable plan to address your unique risk factors and health goals.

A proactive approach to health involves understanding and managing potential risks. Dr. Drew Warnick provides expert care for a range of conditions, focusing on early detection and effective management to support your long-term wellness. Common areas of focus include:

• Genu Valgum: Genu valgum, or knock-knees, can be detected early and managed through exercises and footwear adjustments to prevent future joint pain and potential injuries.
• Sprains and Strains (incl. Muscle Tear): Knowing your limits and gradually increasing activity levels can help prevent sprains, strains, and muscle tears, keeping you active and injury-free.
• Hip Tendinitis: Understanding your risk factors for hip tendinitis, such as repetitive movements or biomechanical issues, allows for proactive measures to prevent its occurrence.
• Shoulder Dislocation: Preventing shoulder dislocations starts with understanding your risk factors and taking steps to strengthen the supporting muscles, thus avoiding painful injuries and long-term complications.
• Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tear: A PCL tear, a serious knee injury, can often be prevented by proper warm-up routines and strengthening exercises, protecting your knee from sudden impact and strain.
• Wrist Sprain or Strain: Early detection of a wrist sprain or strain is key to preventing long-term complications like chronic pain and limited mobility; seek medical attention if you experience persistent wrist pain.
• Complications of Joint Prosthesis: Regular checkups after joint replacement surgery can detect early signs of complications, allowing for timely intervention and preventing more serious problems.
• Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear: While an ACL tear can significantly impact activity, proactive measures like proper conditioning, improved technique, and using supportive bracing can mitigate this risk and promote long-term joint health.
• Wrist Fracture: Prompt and appropriate treatment of a wrist fracture helps minimize the chance of delayed healing or secondary injuries, ensuring optimal recovery.
• Ankle Impingement: Managing ankle impingement through proper stretching and strengthening exercises reduces the risk of chronic pain and helps maintain your activity level without further injury.
• Patellar Fracture: A patellar fracture, or kneecap break, can be prevented by strengthening leg muscles to support the knee joint, thus reducing the risk of injury during sports or falls.
• Knee Ligament Tears: By addressing knee pain promptly and following your doctor's recommendations, you can prevent a minor knee ligament injury from developing into a chronic and debilitating condition.

This list highlights some common health concerns and is for informational purposes only. The best way to understand your personal health and create a prevention plan is to schedule a consultation. Accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans are developed based on individual patient evaluations.

Taking proactive steps is central to long-term health. Dr. Drew Warnick offers a range of key preventive screenings and services designed to provide crucial insights into your health and support your well-being:

• Lateral Retinaculum Patella Release: Taking a proactive approach to knee health, this procedure can help relieve symptoms associated with lateral patellar pain syndrome and improve your quality of life.
• Spinal and Postural Screening: Proactively assess your spine and posture to identify potential problems early and prevent future back pain or injuries.
• Elbow Fracture and Dislocation Treatment: Early intervention with elbow fracture and dislocation treatment helps prevent chronic pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion.
• Ankle Arthroscopy: Take a proactive step towards healthy ankles: ankle arthroscopy helps diagnose and treat injuries early, potentially avoiding more extensive surgeries down the line.
• Hip Arthroscopy: Protect your hip's long-term health with hip arthroscopy; this procedure can identify and address issues like impingement or inflammation, preventing more significant problems later.
• Arthrocentesis: Taking a proactive approach to joint pain? Arthrocentesis can be a valuable tool to diagnose the underlying cause of joint swelling, helping to guide your treatment plan.
• Separated Femoral Epiphysis Treatment: Protecting your child's hip growth, separated femoral epiphysis treatment addresses this condition early to prevent long-term mobility issues.
• Steroid Injection: Steroid injections are a proactive approach to reducing inflammation and pain in specific areas, allowing you to participate in physical therapy and recover more effectively.
• Elbow Repair: Invest in your elbow's health with an elbow repair evaluation; early diagnosis and treatment can minimize recovery time and enhance function.
• Patellar and Quadriceps Tendon Repairs: Protect your knees and jump back into action sooner with patellar and quadriceps tendon repairs, addressing tears to restore strength and function.
• ACL Surgery: Protecting your knee's stability and long-term health, ACL surgery reconstructs a torn ligament to allow you to return to your active lifestyle.
• Foot and Ankle Ligament and Tendon Repair: Investing in foot and ankle ligament and tendon repair means preventing chronic pain, improving mobility, and maintaining an active life free from limitations.

Service availability can change, and not all services listed may be appropriate for every patient. For a comprehensive understanding of all available services and to create your personalized screening plan, please schedule a consultation.

All medical services are provided in accordance with the standard scope of practice for Sports Medicine in Florida.

Dr. Drew Warnick is dedicated to partnering with Coaches and Athletic Trainers to achieve their unique health objectives. The following examples illustrate how a proactive approach can make a tangible difference in a Athlete's life:

• By following a personalized exercise plan and adjusting footwear, a young athlete successfully managed genu valgum, reducing the risk of future joint pain and ensuring a continued active lifestyle.
• By understanding their body's signals and gradually increasing their training intensity, a young athlete avoided a potential muscle tear, allowing them to continue their favorite sports without interruption.

These scenarios are illustrative examples of positive health outcomes. Individual results may vary and depend on many factors specific to each patient. He will work with you to define and achieve your personal health goals.

Here are answers to some common questions about proactive Sports Medicine care with Dr. Drew Warnick:

What is the difference between a Sports Medicine Physician and an Orthopedic Surgeon?

Sports Medicine Physicians, like Dr. Warnick, are often the first point of contact for sports injuries, focusing on non-surgical treatment. If surgery is needed, they work closely with orthopedic surgeons to ensure the best possible care. They are partners in providing comprehensive care for athletes and active individuals.

What is Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy?

PRP therapy is a regenerative medicine technique where a concentrated amount of your own platelets is injected into the injured area. The goal is to use your body's natural growth factors to accelerate the healing of tendons, ligaments, and joints, offering a modern, non-surgical approach to preventing the progression of certain chronic injuries.

What is a stress fracture?

A stress fracture is a tiny crack in a bone, often from repetitive use or overuse. It's different from an acute fracture, which happens from a single, forceful impact. Proper diagnosis and rest are crucial to prevent the small crack from worsening into a more serious break.

What is a rotator cuff tear?

A rotator cuff tear is damage to one or more of the four muscles and tendons that stabilize your shoulder joint, often from overuse or a sudden injury. Treatment focuses on reducing pain and restoring function to prevent long-term weakness and arthritis.

How can I prevent common sports injuries like an ACL tear?

Preventing ACL tears and other sports injuries involves a dedicated neuromuscular training program. Proper warm-ups, strength training, focusing on hamstring and glute strength, and practicing correct landing and pivoting techniques are key. This proactive approach helps protect your joints during activity.

What is arthroscopic surgery?

Arthroscopic surgery is a minimally invasive technique using a small camera and instruments inserted through small incisions to repair joint damage. It often results in less pain, faster recovery, and a quicker return to activity compared to traditional open surgery.

What is the goal of physical therapy after an injury or surgery?

Physical therapy is a critical part of your recovery, aiming to reduce pain, restore range of motion, improve strength and stability, and retrain your body for safe movement. This ensures you can prevent re-injury and successfully return to activity.

How is osteoarthritis treated non-surgically?

Non-surgical osteoarthritis management focuses on symptom relief and joint preservation. Strategies include modifying activity, strengthening supporting muscles with physical therapy, achieving a healthy weight to reduce joint stress, and potentially using injections like cortisone or viscosupplementation. These powerful approaches can effectively manage symptoms and help prevent or delay joint replacement surgery.

625 6th Ave S Ste 450
Saint Petersburg FL 33701
Phone: (727) 562-6864

Dr. Drew Warnick, MD is regulated by the Florida Statutes, Title XXXII, Chapter 458 (Medical Practice) in Florida and is licensed by The Florida Board of Medicine.

National Provider Identifier (NPI): 1437316833

Registration can typically be verified through The Florida Board of Medicine website or by direct inquiry.

The information on this profile, provided by weprevent.org, is for general informational purposes and to help you connect with preventive health partners. It does not constitute direct medical advice from the physician named. Sports Medicine like Dr. Drew Warnick are skilled in helping patients create proactive health plans. For urgent or life-threatening emergencies, please call 911 or visit the nearest emergency department. It is always recommended to maintain open communication with your sports medicine about all aspects of your health and your personalized prevention plan.