Matt Lucas, D.O., Fellow of the American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, (’09) is an interventional pain and sports medicine specialist and an esteemed Colorado State University alumnus. He brings unique expertise and experience in minimally invasive and non-operative treatment strategies for painful conditions of the spine and extremities. He is actively involved in the Interventional Orthobiologics Foundation where he has served as both a clinical instructor for advanced musculoskeletal ultrasound and chair of the IOF Ethics Committee. He has also served on the board of the Denver Osteopathic Foundation and is an associate clinical teaching faculty member at Rocky Vista University College of Osteopathic Medicine.
Originally from Colorado, Dr. Lucas earned his B.S. in health and exercise science, concentrating in sports medicine from the Department of Health and Exercise Science. He went on to receive his medical degree from Rocky Vista University, College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed his residency in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Stanford University. He then completed additional fellowship training in interventional spine and sports medicine with an emphasis on regenerative orthopedics at the Centeno Schultz Clinic in Broomfield, Colorado.
The Department of Health and Exercise science is honored to have Dr. Lucas among its alumni, and were excited to sit down with him and ask him some questions about his life after his undergraduate degree.
Describe your current position and some of the responsibilities that come with it.
I am a physician at Peak Orthopedics and Spine in Englewood, Colorado. I function as an Interventional Pain and Sports Medicine Physician, which some would refer to as an interventional physiatrist or physical medicine and rehabilitation physician. I offer patients with orthopedic and spine injuries or conditions non-operative treatment strategies ranging from targeted injections to minimally invasive surgical interventions. One of my unique clinical and research interests is the use of biologic therapies, also known as orthobiologics, in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions.
Why did you decide to pursue your current career path?
Like most doctors, I decided to pursue this because I get genuine satisfaction from helping people through difficult times. Orthopedic injuries often prevent patients from doing what they love most. An injury can derail the career of an elite athlete, take the joy out of a golf or skiing hobby, or simply interfere with everyday life and family time. I enjoy using my skillset to optimize function no matter what stage of life someone is in.
How have your education and experiences at CSU helped you in your career?
CSU played an integral role in my career path. Majoring in health and exercise science, specifically sports medicine, allowed me to explore the basics of exercise physiology and biomechanics which sparked my interest in orthopedics. The sports medicine program created not only a strong foundation for medical school but also my residency and specialty training, where there is a significant focus on musculoskeletal medicine and optimization of function and sports injury rehabilitation.
What advice do you have for students looking to join your field?
It’s true that strong academic performance is necessary for anyone interested in medical school and the road to clinical practice, but beyond that, I would advise anyone interested in this field to try to take advantage of all the resources and opportunities CSU has to offer. It’s easy to develop a mindset that focuses solely on test scores, but it’s important to be well-rounded not only as a student but as a person. So maximize your experience at CSU by getting involved both on and off campus. Find research you are interested in, ask someone to mentor you, join a club, learn to play an instrument or brew a beer, explore the mountains, cheer on your Rams sports teams at games. Those are the experiences that will shape you far more than what you got on a chemistry test!
The Department of Health and Exercise Science is a part of CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.
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