Mathew W. Pombo MD

Dr. Mathew William Pombo, MD is the Director of Emory’s Soccer Medicine Program and is considered one of the leading experts on youth and adult sports injuries, surgery of the shoulder and knee, sports medicine, and the aging athlete, and is well known as a national/international leader in the field of soccer medicine. Dr. Pombo is internationally recognized as a FIFA diplomat certifying him as a specialist in soccer medicine and soccer injuries. Dr. Pombo currently serves as a pool physician for the US Soccer Federation. He is the head team physician for several Atlanta area high schools and is a consultant for several soccer clubs in the Atlanta area. Dr. Pombo enjoys taking care of athletes of all ages and keeping them engaged in an active lifestyle.

Dr. Pombo has numerous research publications, book chapters, and presentations in the field of sports medicine, shoulder, and knee surgery. Some of Dr. Pombo’s research highlights include describing the anatomic placement of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and the technique for “anatomic double-bundle ACL surgery: where are we today”. The publication was awarded as one of the top 20 cited articles in the last 10 years in the Journal of Arthroscopy. Dr. Pombo has also written one of the original articles describing the technique for proximal hamstring repair in the United States. Dr. Pombo has been recognized as one of “Atlanta’s Top Doctors” and his work and opinions have been featured on several major television networks including CBS, ABC, CNN, and ESPN.

Dr. Pombo is a native of Atlanta and graduated from Duluth High School and attended Georgia Tech. He graduated from the Medical College of Georgia as one of the youngest members of his medical school class after enrolling early. Dr. Pombo is also one of the youngest members inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha medical honors society. Dr. Pombo completed his orthopedic surgery training at Wake Forest University, where he was awarded the annual David Pollack Sr. outstanding resident award and the annual top orthopedic in-training exam award multiple times. Dr. Pombo completed his Orthopaedic Sports Medicine and Shoulder Fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Sports Medicine Center, where he served as a team physician for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Pittsburgh Penguins, The University of Pittsburgh athletics, Duquesne University athletics, and the Pittsburgh ballet.