OlyOrtho’s Dr. Cody Franzen Finds Nonsurgical Solutions to Sports Medicine

We may think sports injuries are limited to football tackles, baseball’s repetitive throwing motion or soccer collisions mid-field. But the National Institutes of Health say any active individual can find themselves with a sports injury. Tendinitis from gardening, tennis elbow from factory work or shoulder strains from painting, for example. At Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, their doctors treat both acute and chronic injuries. Dr. Cody Franzen is joining the non-surgical sports medicine team in August to help energetic patients postpone or even avoid surgery altogether.

Cody Franzen with his wife and two kids sitting in chairs outside under a pop up tent
Franzen and his family love spending time outdoors in the Pacific Northwest, especially with their two young children. Photo courtesy: Dr. Cody Franzen

OlyOrtho Welcomes Dr. Cody Franzen’s Global Approach to Medicine

Franzen grew up in Shelton, but education took him all over the world before coming home to put down roots with his family. He started by attending Western Washington University as an undergraduate. After deciding to pursue medicine, Franzen volunteered in Thailand with Operation Smile, an organization that provides cleft palate surgery and care to more than 30 countries worldwide. “I wanted to experience what the world had to offer,” he explains, “before applying to medical school.”

Medical school took place on the island of Dominica with Ross University. Franzen did his required clinicals in the Los Angeles, California, area – mostly in conjunction with the USC medical programs. Afterward, Franzen did a fellowship at Brown University in Rhode Island and a family medicine residency at Olympia’s Providence St. Peter Hospital.

It was during his time at St. Peter’s that Franzen first met OlyOrtho doctors. A fellow residency colleague worked with them, and Franzen decided to spend time with their hospital-based staff to try things out. “OlyOrtho was a well-oiled machine,” he says, “and from then on, I hoped to join their team.”

Cody Franzen on a red tractor
Even yard work can sometimes cause injuries. Don’t find yourself benched or pushing through the pain and making things worse. Call Dr. Franzen and the OlyOrtho Sports Medicine team today. Photo courtesy: Dr. Cody Franzen

Addressing Sports Injuries Without Surgery is Possible at OlyOrtho

Franzen will start seeing patients with OlyOrtho in early August 2024. He finds the nonsurgical approach: “A neat blend for me because I originally thought surgery was the direction I was headed. But the idea of working with patients before they need surgery really appealed to me.”

He’ll see the full scope of sports injuries but prefers to work on shoulders and knees. Franzen says that oftentimes, patients can postpone surgery or joint replacement with little tweaks to their lifestyle and activities. “It’s hard to shut people down who go, go, go until they can’t anymore,” he adds. “But if you scale back as an investment in yourself, you’ll get back to what you enjoy more quickly.”

“Sports medicine patients are often driven and motivated,” he continues, “so injuries can come from overuse or not recuperating fully.” Franzen will explain the typical progression of their injury if left untreated and suggest ways to recover, which may include rest, cross-training, weight management and an if-it-hurts-don’t-do-it mindset during recovery. “Motion is lotion” when it comes to the human body, says Franzen, so don’t stop moving but be careful not to aggravate the problem.

Approximately 30 to 40% of his patients will eventually require surgery of some kind, says Franzen. When that time comes, he’ll partner with the OlyOrtho sports medicine surgeons on the ideal path forward for each unique case.

Dr. Cody Franzen poses with this family on a hike
Dr. Cody Franzen, who grew up in Shelton, has come full circle and returned home. He starts with Olympia Orthopaedic Associates in August 2024. Photo courtesy: Dr. Cody Franzen

A Fresh Start Thanks to Olympia Orthopaedic Associates

When not working with athletes and other patients, you can find Franzen hiking outdoors or fishing along the waterfront…if he finishes up daily chores, that is. He and his family – including his four-year-old daughter and newborn son – live on the property, which requires plenty of upkeep and yard work. When juggled with the littles, there’s always a new adventure to tackle.

Not sure if your aches and pains need more than just rest and R.I.C.E.? OlyOrtho suggests calling their sports medicine team if you have any of the following:

  • Inability to move an injured limb without significant pain
  • Inability to return to your chosen sport due to pain
  • Inability to walk without severe knee pain
  • Pain that is so severe you cannot sleep at night
  • Shooting or stabbing pains
  • Tingling or numbness in the hand or elbow that doesn’t go away
  • Pain after a kick or other blow during sports

You can request an appointment online or by calling 360.709.6230. Their Sports Medicine Center provides consultations Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Don’t find yourself benched or play through the pain and make things worse in the long run. Let Dr. Cody Franzen and his fellow doctors help keep you in the game all season long for many years to come.

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