Carl Palumbo M.D.

Carl Palumbo M.D.Sports Medicine & Upper Extremity Specialist

Dr. Carl Palumbo is a board certified Orthopedic Surgeon who is the managing partner of The Orthopedic Sports Clinic, located in Houston, Texas. He is double board certified in Surgery of the Upper Extremity and Sports Medicine. This rare combination has allowed him to excel in the management of a wide range of injuries and conditions that  affect the shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand. He has treated collegiate All Americans and Olympic Gold Medalists, but just as importantly he has helped weekend warriors, musicians,  blue collar workers and the uninsured. He strongly believes that everyone deserves high quality health care regardless of their economic status.

Dr. Palumbo has been the head team physician at Strake Jesuit College Preparatory for the past 12 years.  As the graduate of a Jesuit High School himself and a practicing Christian, Dr. Palumbo understands the idiom, “to whom much is given, much will be required” (Luke 12:48). While his time and expertise is voluntary, he thoroughly enjoys giving back to his community and working with an expert medical staff at Strake Jesuit.

Dr. Palumbo grew up in California and is a 3rd generation physician. He graduated with honors from UCLA and completed medical school at Tulane University where he graduated at the top of his class earning him acceptance into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society. He completed his Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the UC Davis Medical Center in California followed by a one year fellowship in hand and upper extremity surgery at the internationally recognized, The Indiana Hand to Shoulder Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Palumbo has written book chapters, published numerous articles in peer review journals and participated in a plethora of public speaking engagements. Whether he is speaking at medical society meetings, coaching seminars, athletic training conferences or health fairs, Dr. Palumbo is always eager to educate others. 

As a father to three boys, coach, accomplished athlete and physician, Dr. Palumbo truly has a unique and balanced approach to sports medicine.  As a sub-3 hour marathon runner and former Ironman triathlete, he understands the desire for athletes to quickly return to their respective sport after an injury.  This is reflected in his carefully tailored  treatment plans and multi-model recovery protocols that are all custom designed for each patient with the ultimate goal of an excellent result without compromise.

While an Orthopedic Surgeon by training, Dr. Palumbo always tries to offer non-operative management prior to discussing surgical options.  He is a thought leader in his community and has adopted Regenerative Medicine using PRP (platelet rich plasma), stem cells, and other regenerative products, when appropriate. He remains on the cutting edge of these treatments and is excited about their future applications and impact in the field of Orthopedic Surgery.