Anthony S. Unger in Baltimore: Sports Medicine and Joint Reconstruction Orthopedist

Anthony S. Unger is an orthopedic surgeon in Baltimore whose practice centers on sports medicine, shoulder and knee reconstruction, and joint preservation, serving both athletes and non-athletes with degenerative joint conditions.

What Anthony S. Unger actually is

Unger holds an MD in orthopedic surgery with fellowship training in sports medicine, a credential that positions him to manage acute sports injuries, overuse conditions, and structural joint damage through both conservative treatment and arthroscopic surgery. His practice spans the full breadth of adult orthopedics but emphasizes the knee, shoulder, and hip—the joints most commonly injured in athletes and most subject to wear-and-tear in sedentary patients over 50. He operates within the University of Maryland Medical System, one of Baltimore's two major hospital networks (the other being Johns Hopkins Medicine), which affects surgical facilities, imaging access, and insurance in-network status.

Services and scope

Unger offers initial consultations that typically run 30 to 45 minutes and include physical examination and discussion of imaging already obtained (X-rays, MRI) or ordered during the visit. First-visit fees depend on insurance; patients with Maryland Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, United, CareFirst, and Medicare coverage generally have copays in the $20–50 range (verify with your plan). Many commercial insurers require a referral from a primary-care physician; Medicare patients may self-refer.

Conservative treatment includes corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections (joint space or bursa injections run $200–400 out-of-pocket without insurance coverage), physical therapy prescription, activity modification, and bracing. These options are typically exhausted before surgery is considered, and Unger's written guidance to patients frequently prioritizes nonsurgical management for early-stage osteoarthritis and minor meniscal tears.

Surgical interventions include arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tears, labral repairs (shoulder), meniscal repair and meniscectomy (knee), ACL reconstruction, and other arthroscopic procedures. Anterior approach total knee arthroplasty and total shoulder arthroplasty are performed at University of Maryland Medical Center in downtown Baltimore. Patients requiring surgery should expect a 1–3 week wait for elective cases and 4–8 weeks for pre-operative clearance if medical comorbidities are present.

How Unger compares to other Baltimore orthopedists

Baltimore's orthopedic landscape divides broadly between hospital-employed surgeons (Johns Hopkins, University of Maryland, Mercy, Sinai) and private practice groups (Chesapeake Orthopedic Associates, Maryland Orthopedic Specialists, Sportsmedicine Institute). Unger's attachment to University of Maryland means convenient surgical access at that system's facilities; patients prioritizing Johns Hopkins surgical outcomes or facilities should see a Johns Hopkins-affiliated surgeon instead. His sports-medicine focus suits athletes and active adults aged 18–55 better than general orthopedists at Mercy or Sinai, whose caseloads skew toward joint replacement in elderly patients. His practice does not emphasize hand surgery, spine, or pediatric orthopedics, so patients with carpal tunnel syndrome, disc herniations, or fractures in children should seek specialized providers. For patients with commercial insurance, checking in-network status with your carrier before booking is necessary; plans vary widely in which surgeons they cover at University of Maryland.

Who Unger suits and who he does not

Unger suits younger and middle-aged active individuals with sports injuries, overuse syndromes (tennis elbow, patellar tendinopathy), acute joint trauma (ACL tears, shoulder dislocations), and early-to-moderate osteoarthritis of large joints who want non-operative options first. Patients with significant hand, elbow, or ankle problems; spine disorders; or fractures in children belong elsewhere. Patients who are reluctant to attempt physical therapy or who cannot commit to 6–12 weeks of conservative treatment before considering surgery may find initial consultations frustrating, since Unger's approach typically rules out surgery before exploring other pathways.

What the first visit involves

Unger's office conducts insurance verification and referral processing before the appointment. Bring any recent imaging (MRI, X-ray films or reports from another provider) and a written list of prior injuries, surgeries, and current medications. The exam involves range-of-motion testing, strength testing, and special maneuvers specific to the joint in question (Lachman test for the knee, crank test for the shoulder, for example). If imaging is needed, order is typically placed that day, with results available within a week. A treatment plan—conservative or surgical—is outlined verbally and sent in writing; if surgery is recommended, discussion of risks, recovery timeline, and surgical technique follows.

Hours, parking, and logistics

Unger's clinic is located at a University of Maryland Medical Center satellite office in downtown Baltimore (verify current address, as physician practices occasionally relocate). Office hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, with limited availability on select Saturdays; call to confirm availability before scheduling. Parking is available in adjacent garages ($8–15 for 2 hours; longer stays attract daily maximums of $18–22) or in ground lot reserved for medical office patients. Public transit via MTA bus serves the location. New-patient appointments typically require 2–3 weeks' wait; established patients can often be seen within one week for acute problems.

Unger's place in Baltimore medicine rests on his dual orientation toward injury prevention and repair in a city with a substantial recreational running, cycling, and youth sports population. His University of Maryland platform ensures access to modern surgical facilities and imaging, and his willingness to defer surgery in favor of rehabilitation aligns with evidence-based practice in sports medicine.