Over his career Dr. Lee has examined and treated many different professional, Olympic, College, and High School Athletes. From traveling for X-games, college athletics or the PGA tour, Elite Athletes demand to have their bodies working optimally to be able to try and perform the task at hand. Dr. Lee’s expertise is helping to identify the underlying biomechanical issue that can lead to other injuries and identifying the cause of current injuries. He in turn can work with an athlete’s “Performance Team.” He has been able to bring new ways to identifying subtle connective tissue pathologies to help course correct problems. He is excited to be part of the Summit Brain, Spine, and Orthopedics Athlete Care Team.

“Many Athletes have a great team of Physicians, Trainers, Physical therapists, Chiropractors, Nutritionists, Functional Medicine, and other providers to help with their performance. Over the years technology and understanding of physiology has allowed an athlete to perform and recover quickly. Having the opportunity to bring my expertise to these “Teams” is very rewarding and satisfying.” Dr. Eric Lee

“Having trained over 1000 professional and college athletes, and 44 first round draft picks, it takes a great team. I have known Dr. Lee for many years and the expertise he has in identifying a biomechanical issue with athletes is off the charts. He is one I trust with all my athletes” - Bill Welle Sports Performance Director Training HAUS

“As a neuroradiologist my training is in all imaging of the spine. Working with Dr. Lee and seeing the time he spends looking at MRI’s and seeing the little things in images is impressive. I love learning from him. “Richard Jackson ll MD

“After 19 months looking all over the country to find out if my career on the PGA was over, I am so glad another tour player recommended I fly to Utah and get evaluated by Dr. Lee and his team. I am grateful I did as it has given me an opportunity to continue the PGA tour which has been my entire career.” Ryan Moore PGA Tour Player

I have enjoyed over 20 years in practice and the many patients I have been able to help over my career is very satisfying. I love learning and teaching and the satisfaction of being able to provide great healthcare with a great team, is always special for me. I get to watch people change and be pain-free so that they can enjoy their lives. I can say it has been a great honor to help people and look forward to helping more.

Over my career I have seen many patients involved in motor vehicle collisions. In an instant the patient has their life changed and it can be very overwhelming for them. With these types of cases, there are a few things I have noticed over the years. First, many cases are not managed correctly. Often patients are examined and have been told they are “Okay” but most of them are not properly evaluated. Often time patients will say “I am okay it was just a little accident” but then have issues week, months, sometimes years down the road all because the evaluation was incomplete. Most physicians are not trained in complete connective tissue analysis, especially the emergency and urgent care facilities and even family practice physicians. Those providers are often very busy to have the time to thoroughly evaluate. The majority are overwhelmed and looking to see if the patient needs to be “Admitted” to the hospital or passing them off to another provider. While in my graduate training I was able to train with Neurosurgeons, Neuroradiologists, Pain Management Providers, Radiology Technicians, Family Medicine, Orthopedic Surgeons, Physical Therapists that provided information of how providers “Treat” and how patients need to be “managed” as to not miss things that cause problems later. I think this is one of the most expensive healthcare costs in our country because a very proper evaluation that brings in a great Team, can help decrease future treatment and missed days off work, and especially the mental suffering which can occur.

Another thing I have noticed in my career is how many attorney advertisements there are all over the country for people involved in motor vehicle collision, motorcycle, dog bites, etc. Some firms spend millions of dollars a year in advertising because there are insurance dollars to settle for. Some firms will have advertised a free call to go over your case to see if money can be made. I understand business, but ALL patients should be evaluated no matter the circumstance or who is at fault. Patients get injured no matter who is at fault and all patients should be evaluated. As stated earlier, patients’ lives can be turned upside down in a moment and all need-to-know what injuries they have, and what they are dealing with.

Connective tissue pathology is an issue that is often overlooked, mostly because it can be difficult to diagnose, and then to treat. Most patients and even providers do not realize that some connective tissue injuries can be equivalent to someone losing an extremity in an accident. The reason it can be the same is the compensating factor that can lead to many other musculoskeletal injuries, earlier arthritis in different joints, and other long-term injuries. This pathology needs a qualified Team” of providers and one who can manage these cases. Muscles can be sore, or spasming, or in pain, but most of the time they hurt because there is an underlying problem, and the result then becomes the muscles can elicit a “Crying out for help” result which is then often treating a result and not the cause.

There are many providers that can “Treat” patients in motor vehicle collisions, but not many who can evaluate and manage the case. The provider needs to coordinate with other providers, communicate with the patient’s attorney if they have one. They must be able to work directly with a team and not just be able to refer a patient out. All providers can “refer” but this in fact is one of the biggest problems in motor vehicle accidents. What occurs is that a patient will get referred, but there is no follow up or coordination and a patient will feel like they were “dumped” off to another provider and this due to bad communication and then the healing of injuries suffers. The provider needs to be able see in detail what images are and know how to order special imaging when needed. Motor vehicle accidents are more complex than just picking up a shovel or luggage, or a grocery bag and suffering an injury. Having a fellowship helps me be a Spine management provider who has seen many cases after they have been to multiple providers, to help in finding out what the problem is. This can be done, but it is much easier to find out and guide the healing process when it first occurs, rather than months and years wasted because it was not found in the first place.