Specialties: Sports Medicine, Arthroscopic Knee Surgery, Arthroscopic Shoulder Surgery, Ligament and Tendon Reconstruction and Repair of the Knee and Shoulder
A Baltimore native, Dr. Zooker’s interest in Sports Medicine and physical performance began early on. He played football, lacrosse, and wrestled for all four years at Pikesville High School. Next stop was The University of Maryland College Park where this “Terp for Life” graduated Magna Cum Laude with a self-created major entitled “the Neurobiological Basis of Sports Performance”. His unique course of study combined elements of kinesiology, sports psychology, and neurosciences. “I have always been fascinated by what our bodies are capable of physically, and wanted to learn not only how we develop those skills, but what allows humans to improve and perfect them.”
These experiences prepared Dr. Zooker to succeed at the University of Maryland School of Medicine where he earned his M.D. degree before continuing his education at Union Memorial Hospital as an Orthopaedic Surgery Resident. There he worked with specialists in all fields of Orthopaedics including top experts in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopy. Time at John Hopkins Hospital and R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center helped round out his early Orthopaedic training.
During his fellowship at the Rothman Institute/Thomas Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia, Dr. Zooker served as assistant Orthopaedic team physician for the Eagles, Phillies, indoor football Soul and St. Joseph’s University Hawks. He developed additional skill in clinical sports medicine and arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery during that time. Despite this time away for training, he remains a devoted fan of the Ravens, Orioles and Terps.
Dr. Zooker was happy return to Pikesville with his wife and two children, where he can apply all he has learned to help his patients. “I chose Orthopaedics because of the myriad types of injuries encountered and the potential to help athletes at all levels get back to doing what they love. I enjoy the challenge of keeping people moving, whether they are just getting back in shape, weekend warriors or high level athletes.” When not busy with family or taking care of patients, Dr. Zooker enjoys the challenge of Crossfit workouts and yoga. He encourages movement for all his patients at all ages and ability levels. In addition to treating active injuries, he also emphasizes preventative care and the importance of posture, strength, and flexibility in moving well and keeping the body happy.
Orthopaedic Interests
- ACL tears
- Cartilage disorders of the knee
- Other ligamentous injuries to the knee
- Knee arthroscopy
- Labral tears of the shoulder
- Meniscus tears
- Rotator cuff tears
- Shoulder Arthroscopy
- Shoulder instability
- Shoulder impingement
- Training and sports related overuse injuries
Professional Associations
- American Orthopaedic Association
Peer- Reviewed Publications
Tarity TD, Garrigues GE, Ciccotti MG, Zooker CC, Cohen SB, Frederick RW, Williams GR, DeLuca PF, Dodson CC. Pectoralis major ruptures in professional American football players. Phys Sportsmed. 2014 Sep;42(3):131-5.
Chad Zooker, MD, Rajeev Pandarinath, MD, Matthew J. Kraeutler, BS, Michael G. Ciccotti, MD, Steven B. Cohen, MD, and Peter F. DeLuca, MD. Clinical Measurement of Patellar Tendon: Accuracy and Relationship to Surgical Tendon Dimensions. Am J Orthop. 2013;42(7):317-320.
Hinton RY, Zooker CC, Parks B, White K. TightRope Versus Fiber Mesh Tape Augmentation of Acromioclavicular Joint Reconstruction: A Biomechanical Study. Am J Sports Med June 2010 38 1204-1208; published online before print April 14, 2010
Abstracts and/or Proceedings
Hillman, CH, Weiss, EP, Deeny, SP, Zooker, CC, Roltsch, MH., Hagberg, JM, & Hatfield, B.D. (2000). Age and fitness effects on ERPs: Implications for exercise and the aging brain. Paper presented at the American College of Sports Medicine, Indianapolis, IN.
Unpublished Thesis
Zooker, CC. Assessing the Development of Expert Performance in Sports. Individual Studies Program Senior thesis, May 24, 2000. Readers: William Higgins, PhD, Bradley Hatfield, PhD, and Charles Hillman, PhD.
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