Dr. Ellerbusch received his bachelor’s degree in Biology Pre-Medicine and Chemistry from Murray State University in Murray, Kentucky. While there, he was named a USA Today Academic All-American. He also received the Outstanding Senior Man Award and served as the commencement speaker at the graduation ceremony. He attended medical school at Southern Illinois University School of Medicine in Springfield, Illinois, where he graduated with high honors.
After graduation, he moved to Birmingham, Alabama where he performed one year of residency in Internal Medicine and then completed an additional three years in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He served as the Chief Resident during his final year at UAB. He then completed a subspecialty fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Clinic. After completing his fellowship in 2001, he practiced at the Alabama Orthopaedic and Spine Center of Tuscaloosa. He served as the Medical Director for the Athletic Program at Shelton State Community College as well as serving as Team Physician for multiple high schools in the Tuscaloosa area.
Dr. Ellerbusch joined the practice of Southlake Orthopaedics in 2005. He currently serves as Team Physician for Hoover High School and the associated middle schools. He is currently triple board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Sports Medicine and Electrodiagnostic Medicine. He enjoys seeing a variety of patients for non-surgical treatment, especially in the area of Sports Medicine. He also performs his own electromyograms and nerve conduction studies commonly used in the diagnosis of carpel tunnel syndrome and other nerve entrapments. In addition, he frequently lectures in the areas of non-operative treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, sports medicine, osteoarthritis, nerve conduction studies and electromyography. On a personal level, he enjoys participating in athletics including basketball and golf. He also is active in coaching his son and daughter in various sporting activities in the community. In addition, he is very active at Vestavia Hills Church of Christ.
Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, Illinois 1996
University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama 1997
University of Alabama School of Medicine, Birmingham, Alabama, 2000
Alabama Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Clinic, Birmingham, Alabama, 2001
I chose sports medicine as a subspecialty initially because of a love for sports. Most sports medicine injuries can be treated conservatively. By experiencing and observing sports injuries first hand, I realized how beneficial this specialty could be for the patients I see. In addition, I enjoy seeing patients in clinic and on the sidelines at sporting events, so this specialty is a perfect fit for me.
I enjoy doing various types of injections in clinic. Although the effects of the medications used in the injections are temporary, I instruct the patient as they feel better from the injection; this is an opportunity to get stronger and to get back to better function without risk of damaging the injured area. This allows patients to have long term benefit from an in-office procedure.
There is nothing more satisfying than seeing a patient with a problem, outlining a treatment program, and then watching that patient improve and get back to the sports they enjoy.
Not often are there cases where I have to tell patients they are going to have to live with a certain problem. If I cannot help them non-surgically, then in most cases, there are surgical options one of my partners can offer. Once all options are exhausted, I must rely on management of the problem and not “fixing” the issue. These cases are the most difficult.
I joined Southlake in 2005 due to the physicians in the practice and the goals of the practice. The primary goal of each of the physicians is helping the patient. Each physician we have added since I have joined has the same goal. I feel this is the only way to run a successful practice.
