About Dr. Worley

Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Dr. Melanie Worley is the founder of Interventional Orthopedics of San Diego (IOSD) and a double board-certified physician specializing in advanced non-surgical orthopedics, sports medicine, and orthobiologics. She focuses on precision ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided procedures, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) treatments, designed to help patients reduce pain, restore function, optimize performance, and avoid unnecessary surgery whenever appropriate.

As both a physician and competitive endurance and HYROX athlete, Dr. Worley understands the demands of maintaining an active lifestyle firsthand. She takes a personalized, athlete-centered, and evidence-based approach to care, partnering with each patient to develop an individualized treatment plan that aligns with their goals and helps them return to the activities they love.

EDUCATION & TRAINING

Dr. Worley's interest in sports medicine began at Wake Forest University, where she studied Health and Exercise Science and completed an honors thesis examining the effects of long-term exercise on symptoms of knee osteoarthritis—an early reflection of her passion for helping patients remain active despite joint pain.

After earning her medical degree, Dr. Worley completed residency training in Emergency Medicine followed by fellowship training in Sports Medicine, becoming board-certified in both specialties.

Seeking advanced expertise beyond traditional sports medicine training, Dr. Worley completed an additional fellowship at the Centeno-Schultz Clinic, a center specializing in interventional orthopedics and orthobiologics. There, she received extensive hands-on training in advanced ultrasound- and fluoroscopy-guided procedures, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC), intraosseous injections, and complex spine procedures.

This highly specialized fellowship provided extensive experience treating complex musculoskeletal and spine conditions using advanced orthobiologic techniques. Training alongside leaders in interventional orthopedics allowed Dr. Worley to refine advanced image-guided procedural skills and develop a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to caring for patients seeking alternatives to surgery.

Dr. Worley is also actively involved in medical education and regularly lectures and teaches at national sports medicine and orthobiologic conferences. She remains committed to staying at the forefront of emerging research, technology, and procedural techniques so her patients benefit from the latest advances in evidence-based, non-surgical orthopedic care.

ATHLETIC & PERSONAL INTERESTS

Dr. Worley's passion for sports medicine and interventional orthopedics has been shaped by her own lifelong athletic experiences. She ran her first marathon while attending Wake Forest University and has since completed 10 marathons, including three Boston Marathons, with a personal best of 2:56. She has also competed in multiple triathlons, qualifying for and completing the 2022 Half-Ironman World Championship in St. George, Utah.

More recently, Dr. Worley has developed a passion for HYROX, combining competitive running with functional strength training. Continuing to train and compete allows her to better understand the challenges her patients face—from recovering after injury to optimizing performance and safely returning to sport.

Outside of medicine and training, Dr. Worley enjoys spending time with family and friends, playing guitar, snowboarding, traveling, and, of course, finding a great cup of coffee.

At IOSD, her philosophy is simple: combine the latest scientific evidence with precision image-guided procedures and personalized care to help every patient return to the activities that matter most.