James Borchers, MD
Physician, Professor
Sports Medicine, Primary Care - Family Medicine
Accepting new patients
Conditions and expertise
- Back Injuries
- Athletic Performance
- Physical Endurance
- Asthma, Exercise-Induced
- Hip Injuries
- Sprains and Strains
Locations
- Jameson Crane Sports Medicine Institute
Academics and research
Department: Family Medicine
About
- Gender
- Male
Biography
I specialize in sports medicine at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, where I provide care for injuries and medical conditions that affect a patient’s ability to be active throughout their lifetime.
I played football at The Ohio State University from 1989 to 1993, and the physicians who cared for me when I was a student-athlete inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. As a former athlete, I enjoy helping patients of all ages recover from injuries and return to the activities they enjoy. I see patients for acute sports injuries, overuse sports injuries and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
I believe in working with patients to provide a comprehensive treatment plan for their individual health issues. I also enjoy helping people to remain active and healthy.
I love working in a place that provides a comprehensive, collaborative environment where everyone is dedicated to the personal health care of our patients.
When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling and running.
Highlights
- Ohio State Department of Athletics Head Team Physician
- Director, Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship
- Named to Castle Connolly's Regional Top Doctors list
- Best Doctors in America, 2017
- Fellow, American College of Sports Medicine
Conditions and expertise
- Ankle Injuries
- Arm Injuries
- Arthritis
- Asthma, Exercise-Induced
- Athletic Injuries
- Athletic Performance
- Back Injuries
- Brain Concussion
- Foot Injuries
- Hip Injuries
- Knee Injuries
- Leg Injuries
- Physical Endurance
- Platelet-Rich Plasma
- Primary Care
- Shoulder Pain
- Soft Tissue Injuries
- Sports Medicine
- Sprains and Strains
Locations
Please note: Not all physicians schedule patients at each listed location.
Credentials
Education
- Fellowship - Family Medicine, Sports Medicine
- Toledo Children's Hospital, Toledo, OH, United States
7/1/2003 - 6/13/2004 - Residency - Family Medicine
- Toledo Children's Hospital, Toledo, OH, United States
7/1/2000 - 6/13/2003 - Doctor of Medicine (MD)
- Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, OH, United States
8/1/1998 - 5/13/2000 - Medical School
- St. George's University School of Medicine, St. George, Grenada
1/15/1996 - 4/24/1998
Certifications
-
American Board of Family Medicine/Sports Medicine
7/10/2004 -
American Board of Family Medicine
7/11/2003
Academics and research
The focus of my research has been on outcomes-based studies affecting the field of sports medicine. I have used my training from obtaining my MPH with a focus on clinical investigations to examine clinical outcomes in sports medicine topics such as ACL reconstruction, metabolic syndrome in collegiate football players and resource utilization among collegiate athletes. I have published on these efforts and continue work in these areas. I have worked with the Multicentered Orthopedic Outcomes Network (MOON) research consortium analyzing data regarding an ongoing prospective cohort regarding ACL reconstruction, outcomes, risk factors and risk factor modification. I have also published numerous studies on the prevention of injury in athletes and continue to study the epidemiology of injury and prevention of injury in collegiate athletes.
I have also focused scholarly work on instructing sports medicine fellows in writing systematic reviews and publishing and presenting original researching. In my years as director of the Primary Care Sports Medicine Fellowship, we have had multiple systematic reviews published with fellows. During this same time period, there have been an additional 30-40 publications and presentations at national meetings involving our fellows. Every fellow in our program since my time as director has had at least one per reviewed presentation at a national sports medicine meeting and at least one peer reviewed publication submitted or accepted.
I plan to continue outcomes based research in the future and will be collaborating with others in sports medicine on risk factor evaluation for injury based on pre-participation examination and interventions to decrease injury risk. I also have ongoing projects with MOON continuing to study long term outcomes following ACL reconstruction.
Research interests
- Sports Medicine
- ACL Reconstruction
- Metabolic Syndrome in Collegiate Football Players
- Resource Utilization among Collegiate Athletes
- Injury Prevention
- Epidemiology of Injury
Active Funding
- Co-investigator, NIH, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Functional evaluation to predict lower extremity musculoskeletal injury, 2013 – 2018
Editorial Activities
- Journal Editorial Board, The Physician and Sports Medicine, 2009 - present
- Medicine and Science in Sport and Exercise, 2007 - present
- Journal reviewer, Sports Review Journal, 2015 - present
- Manuscript reviewer, Journal of Athletic Training, 2010 - present
- Associate editor, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 2009 - present
Professional Memberships
- American College of Sports Medicine
- American Medical Society of Sports Medicine
- American Academy of Family Physicians
- Ohio Academy of Family Physicians
Academic information
- Department:
- Family Medicine
- Division:
- Family Medicine / Sports Medicine
Leadership titles
- Director, Sports Medicine Division
- Physician Lead of Clinical Operations, Sports Medicine Physician Practices
- Head Team Physician, Department of Athletics
More about my research
News and media
My Videos
Research underway at Ohio State in osteoarthritis and orthobiologics | Ohio State Medical Center
My news coverage
- Study: Cardiac MRI Effective in Detecting Asymptomatic, Symptomatic Myocarditis in Athletes
- 2018 OSU Sports Medicine Symposium To Focus on Athletes and Concussion Care
- Study Finds Athletes With ADHD More Likely To Choose Team Sports, Could Increase Injury Risk
- OSU Sports Medicine Symposium to Focus on Athletes and Concussion Care
- OSU Sports Medicine Hosts Inaugural ACL Meeting
- OSU Sports Medicine Symposium to Focus on Athletes and Concussion Care
Ratings and reviews
The overall patient satisfaction rating is an average of all patient responses to the six doctor communication related questions shown below from the Clinician and Group Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey. For additional information about the patient satisfaction survey, please visit our Patient Satisfaction Survey page.
The comments are submitted by patients and reflect their view and opinions. The comments are not endorsed by and do not necessarily reflect the views of Ohio State Wexner Medical Center.
383 Patient Satisfaction Reviews
Patient Comments
Consulting and Related Relationships
At The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, we support a faculty member’s research and consulting in collaboration with medical device, research and/or drug companies because a faculty member’s expertise can guide important advancements in the practice of medicine and improve patient care. In order to provide effective management of these relationships, the University requires annual disclosures from all faculty members with external interests related to their University responsibilities.
As of 11/3/2025 James Borchers has reported relationships with the companies or entities listed below. If you have questions about the relationships listed below, please ask the faculty member. If you have questions about how these relationships are monitored by The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, please contact our Compliance Office.
- U.S. Council for Athlete's Health
Great
Dr. BORCHER is a great doctor.
He definitely had listened to his assistant, and then was able to take what was happening with me and come up with a plan
Good
Always seems well informed and open to what I am saying as well as sharing information with options for what my conditions are currently.
Very knowledgeable and personable.
Felt rushed and unheard
He is very knowledgeable & seems to be kind
Dr. Borchers is excellent
Very good
Dr Borchers answered my questions clearly and fully. I left with specific directions for what to do next.
He remembers very specific details which I appreciate and he understands my concerns
Explained things clearly.
Excellent- very kind and knowledgeable
Very attentive.
I always have the best visits with Dr. Borchers even if it's not great news. I trust him, he takes excellent care of not just me but my husband as well.
I appreciate how quickly he is able to zero in on the cause of the problem. Very confident that he knows and understands my condition.
Kind
Dr. Borchers is excellent, thorough and deals with my issues