Alex Brinlee, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS

Alex Brinlee came to Maryland Orthopedic Specialists in July 2020 with a résumé built for exactly this kind of practice. He now leads our Rockville location as Site Director.

A former Division I soccer player at the University of Illinois Chicago, Alex earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Pittsburgh in 2018. He began his career at an outpatient sports and orthopedic practice in Dallas before pursuing one of the most competitive post-graduate pathways in the field: a Sports Physical Therapy Residency at the University of Delaware in 2019. During that residency, he didn't just train. He contributed. He helped revise the University of Delaware's ACL Rehabilitation Practice Guidelines, work that was subsequently published in Sports Health (Brinlee et al., 2022), and provided coverage for multiple UD athletic programs across lacrosse, soccer, and hockey, as well as game-day operations with the Wilmington Rugby Club and the Delaware Blue Coats of the NBA G League.

He is a Board-Certified Clinical Specialist in Sports Physical Therapy (SCS), a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and dry needling certified through the American Academy of Manipulative Therapy. His clinical focus spans ACL, meniscal, labral, and rotator cuff rehabilitation, tendinopathies, concussion recovery, and the full range of orthopedic sports injuries. He has brought evidence-based return-to-sport testing, objective strength measurement through handheld dynamometry, and blood flow restriction training to the MOS therapy program, raising the standard of care for every patient who walks through the door.

What distinguishes Alex in the clinic, though, goes beyond the credentials:

"My number one reason for referring multiple patients is that the assigned PT is ALWAYS with you, observing your form and tweaking to ensure proper positioning. Even when he's documenting or assisting another patient, he is fully aware of exactly what you are doing and constantly checks in. Alex truly makes everyone feel like they are the only patient that matters. And I love the genuine and unique team camaraderie with all of the staff. It's a happy place."

"I've had the best experience I could have imagined after tearing my ACL. I will recommend this place to EVERYONE I ever meet who needs PT. I'll miss everyone because they're just fantastic human beings and PTs."

"Alex is an excellent therapist. He knows exactly what the problem is and gives you the best advice and correct guidance to get you back to normal. His progressive approach and effective exercises make you feel stronger very quickly. My MCL tear was a high grade type. But in a matter of weeks I was able to get back to soccer."

"Alex is an incredibly effective, kind, respectful therapist who knows how to alleviate pain and increase movement and muscle."

Outside the clinic, Alex hikes, plays recreational soccer, trains in jiu jitsu, skates, and golfs. He spends his time with his wife, daughter, and dogs, and remains a thoroughly devoted Chicago sports fan.