About

Dan Cushman, MD, is a board-certified specialist in Sports Medicine and Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He completed his residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Northwestern University), where he served as chief resident, and completed a fellowship in Sports Medicine at the University of Utah. He is active in research and serves as the director of Non-Operative Sports Medicine Research at the University of Utah, with interests including musculoskeletal ultrasound for the treatment and prevention of musculoskeletal disorders and low-cost treatment options. Dr. Cushman specializes in the care of musculoskeletal injuries in both athletes and non-athletes, with a particular focus on endurance sports-specific injuries such as those affecting runners, cyclists, swimmers, triathletes, and climbers. He serves as the team physician for the University of Utah Track & Field, Cross-Country, Swimming, and Diving teams, emphasizing a conservative approach that revolves around using exercise as medicine and avoiding medications whenever possible.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Physical therapy
• Pathology
• Internal medicine
• Physical medicine and rehabilitation
• Emergency medicine
• Nursing
• Geography
• Environmental health
• Psychiatry
• Anesthesia
• Family medicine
• Surgery
• Medical emergency
• Engineering
• Radiology
• Aeronautics
• Demography
• Intensive care medicine

Selected publications

• The safety and effectiveness of lumbar transforaminal injection of sterile amniotic fluid filtrate compared to steroid for lumbosacral radicular pain due to spinal stenosis: a phase I/II double-blinded randomized trial

  Pain Medicine · 2026-03-27

  articleOpen access

  BACKGROUND: Radicular symptoms from lumbosacral spinal stenosis (LSS) are commonly managed with conservative measures, including transforaminal epidural steroid injection (TFESI). However, repeated use may cause systemic side effects in some patients. Human amniotic fluid filtrate (hAF), containing anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and regenerative factors, has shown therapeutic potential in pre-clinical models and other medical conditions. OBJECTIVES: Compare the safety and effectiveness of transforaminal epidural injections with hAF versus dexamethasone for treating radicular pain from LSS. DESIGN: Double-blinded, prospective, randomized comparative trial. METHODS: Fifty-eight participants were included, with outcomes assessed at 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months (primary endpoint), and 6 months. Primary outcomes were adverse events (AEs) and proportions of participants reporting ≥50% numerical pain rating scale (NPRS) back and leg pain reductions at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Swiss Spinal Stenosis Questionnaire (SSSQ), and PROMIS Physical Health Summary (PHS). Linear mixed-effects models evaluated between-group differences while accounting for repeated measures. RESULTS: At 3 months, a significantly greater proportion of participants receiving dexamethasone achieved ≥50% reductions in back pain (45.8% [95%CI = 27.9-64.9%] vs. 15.0% [95%CI = 5.2-36.0%]; p = 0.050) and leg pain (60.0% [95%CI = 40.7-76.6%] vs. 25.0% [95%CI = 11.2-46.9%]; p = 0.034) compared with hAF. Secondary outcome trends similarly favored dexamethasone at 3 months. Mixed-effects models showed greater improvements to 6-week pain and function scores with dexamethasone relative to hAF. Group AE rates were comparable, and no serious intervention-related AEs occurred. CONCLUSION: Dexamethasone demonstrated significantly greater short- and intermediate-term benefits over hAF across multiple clinical outcome domains for radicular pain due to LSS, prompting early trial discontinuation.

  PublisherDOI

• Thymosin Beta-4 and TB-500 in Tissue Healing, Regeneration, and Musculoskeletal Repair: A Scoping Review

  Preprints.org · 2026-05-18

  preprintOpen accessSenior author

  Thymosin beta-4 (TB4) and the related compound commonly referred to as TB-500 are widely discussed in tissue healing and musculoskeletal medicine, but the scope and nature of the supporting literature remain unclear. We conducted a scoping review to map the evidence on TB4 and TB-500 in tissue healing, regeneration, and musculoskeletal repair. PubMed, Europe PMC, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched through March 2026. English-language in vitro, animal, human, and registered clinical trial sources directly evaluating TB4, TB-500, or included derivatives in repair-related contexts were eligible. Of 1772 records identified, 80 studies were included. The evidence base was weighted toward mixed and in vitro designs, and most studies evaluated TB4 rather than TB-500. The most common tissue categories were wound/skin/soft tissue, vascular/endothelial, ocular/cornea, and bone. Direct musculoskeletal tissue categories such as tendon, ligament, muscle, cartilage, and spine/intervertebral disc were comparatively sparse. Human evidence was concentrated in ocular/cornea and wound/skin/soft tissue settings, whereas direct TB-500 evidence was limited to a single included study. Overall, the mapped literature supports the popular interest in several repair-related pathways but remains unevenly distributed and largely preclinical, with limited human evidence directly relevant to musculoskeletal applications.

  PublisherDOI

• Prevalence of Sonographic Achilles Tendon, Patellar Tendon, and Plantar Fascia Abnormalities Among 533 Division I Collegiate Athletes from a Variety of Sports

  Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine · 2026-03-04

  article1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of ultrasound-detected abnormalities in the Achilles tendon, patellar tendon, and plantar fascia among Division I collegiate athletes and to identify associated demographic and sport-related risk factors. DESIGN: Multi-institutional, 3-year observational study. SETTING: Preseason screening evaluations conducted at collegiate athletic programs. PATIENTS: A total of 533 Division I collegiate athletes representing 18 sports. INTERVENTIONS: All participants underwent ultrasound imaging of bilateral patellar tendons, Achilles tendons, and plantar fasciae. Abnormalities were defined as the presence of hypoechogenicity, morphologic thickening, or neovascularity. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of sonographic abnormalities and their association with demographic and sport-specific variables, along with the presence or absence of symptoms at the time of scanning. RESULTS: The highest prevalence of abnormalities was observed in the patellar tendon (36.1%), followed by the Achilles tendon (7.1%) and plantar fascia (2.4%). Most abnormalities were asymptomatic, although athletes with abnormalities were significantly more likely to report current pain. Older age was associated with increased risk of Achilles tendon and plantar fascia abnormalities, while male sex and participation in explosive or running sports were linked to higher prevalence of patellar tendon abnormalities. CONCLUSIONS: This study represents the largest known assessment of tendon and fascia ultrasound abnormalities in a collegiate athlete cohort. Findings support the use of ultrasound as an accessible, real-time diagnostic tool for early identification of subclinical pathology, which may allow for targeted interventions aimed at reducing time-loss injuries and optimizing long-term athlete health.

  PublisherDOI

• Intra-Articular Platelet Rich Plasma in the Management of Acetabular Labral Tears

  American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · 2026-04-17

  articleSenior authorCorresponding

  Objective: To evaluate functional outcomes in patients with acetabular labral tear (ALT) treated with intra-articular platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Design: Prospective, single-institution cohort study of 28 patients (30 hips) with symptomatic ALT confirmed by history, physical exam, magnetic resonance imaging or arthrography (MRI/MRA), and diagnostic anesthetic injection. Exclusion criteria included lateral center edge angle <20°, Tönnis grade >2, relevant medical comorbidities, or confounding treatments. Whole blood samples were processed using a standardized centrifugation protocol, and resultant PRP was analyzed before ultrasound-guided injection. The International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-12) was collected at baseline and 1, 3, and 6 months. Results: Nineteen (68%) participants were female and nine (32%) male, median age 37 years (IQR 16). Mean PRP platelet concentration was 459 (SD 102) ×10³/µL with a mean total platelet dose of 6.41 (SD 1.99) billion. Median iHOT-12 scores improved from 50 (IQR 26) at baseline to 69 (IQR 27) at 1 month, 80 (IQR 22) at 3 months, and 76 (IQR 20) at 6 months (all P < 0.0001), surpassing the MCID of 13 at each timepoint. No serious adverse events occurred. Conclusion: PRP injection appears safe and clinically beneficial for ALT, demonstrating meaningful functional improvement and supporting the need for a larger randomized controlled trial.

  PublisherDOI

• Factors Impacting Patient Satisfaction at a Single Academic Sports Medicine Institution

  Cureus · 2025-01-20

  articleOpen access1st author

  INTRODUCTION: Patient satisfaction has become an important metric in many healthcare settings, as it relates to patient outcomes and improvement in healthcare quality. The Press Ganey tool is a common assessment used to evaluate patient satisfaction. To our knowledge, there are no studies that effectively determine what influences a patient's healthcare experience in a sports medicine setting. The purpose of this study was to determine which factors impact Press Ganey patient satisfaction at a single, academic sports medicine institution. METHODS: Press Ganey surveys with questions about the provider, appointment date, sex, age, first visits vs. subsequent visits, and in-person vs. telehealth visits were utilized and emailed to patients within one week of their visit. Questions were rated on a Likert scale from 1 (very poor) to 5 (very good). Data from 2017 to 2022 were then aggregated retrospectively and de-identified. The 2022 Area Deprivation Index (ADI; higher scores indicate higher deprivation) was also used based on the patient's zip code. Statistical analysis with the use of a multivariate linear regression model was used to identify potential variables associated with patient-reported provider scores. RESULTS: The study included data from 12,518 patient visits managed by eight sports medicine providers. Analysis revealed that age, appointment date (specifically the first visit), and the provider involved had statistically significant associations with Press Ganey satisfaction scores, with p-values of <0.001 for each factor. Age was positively correlated with satisfaction (coefficient = 0.160), indicating that older patients reported higher satisfaction levels compared to younger patients. Conversely, the appointment date, particularly at the initial visit, had a negative coefficient, demonstrating that patient satisfaction increased with subsequent visits. Additionally, when analyzing Press Ganey scores in relation to the ADI, it was found that patients with lower ADI scores, which indicate lower levels of social deprivation, reported higher satisfaction with their care providers. CONCLUSION: Our study reveals that patient satisfaction seems to be affected by age, timing of visits, socioeconomic status, and provider at an academic sports medicine institution. While these factors may be somewhat unmodifiable, a better understanding of patient and provider characteristics can help maximize the patient's satisfaction with their healthcare.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Regeneration or Risk? A Narrative Review of BPC-157 for Musculoskeletal Healing

  Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine · 2025-08-12 · 10 citations

  reviewOpen accessSenior author
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Upper Extremity Neuropathies in Athletes

  Current Sports Medicine Reports · 2025-11-01 · 1 citations

  articleSenior author

  ABSTRACT: Upper extremity neuropathies are an important and sometimes overlooked etiology of upper extremity pain and dysfunction in athletes. While classic neuropathic symptoms such as numbness, paresthesias, and weakness in the distribution of the affected peripheral nerve can occur, clinical presentations are often subtle and nonspecific. On physical exam, clinicians may identify neurological deficits, Tinel sign over the suspected compression site, and positive provocative tests reproducing symptoms. Diagnostic tools such as EMG/NCS and imaging modalities (radiographs, ultrasound, and MRI) can help confirm the diagnosis. Treatment usually begins with nonoperative approaches, though surgery may be needed if symptoms persist or worsen. This article provides an updated review of the evaluation and management of common upper extremity neuropathies in athletes.

  PublisherDOI

• Serial Ultrasound Imaging Leading up to an Achilles Tendon Rupture After Identification of a Thickened Paratenon

  American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation · 2025-07-28

  articleSenior author

  ABSTRACT: A 22-yr-old lacrosse student-athlete had participated in a research study examining the Achilles tendons of asymptomatic athletes, with normal appearance of his Achilles tendons bilaterally 7 mos before injury. Around 4 wks before injury, the patient started to report achy pain in the affected Achilles tendon, exacerbated by ankle dorsiflexion and plantarflexion, in the context of using new cleats during conditioning. He underwent repeat ultrasound assessment, identifying a normal appearing Achilles tendon, though with new hypoechogenic paratenon thickening approximately 1-4 cm proximal to the calcaneus. He ultimately suffered a noncontact complete Achilles tendon rupture. This case is the second known example of an Achilles tendon rupture with previous asymptomatic advanced imaging and additionally calls into question the role of the Achilles paratenon in Achilles tendon pathology and rupture.

  PublisherDOI

• An evaluation of a low‐cost platelet‐rich plasma for osteoarthritis of the knee: A pilot study

  Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics · 2025-07-01

  articleOpen access1st authorCorresponding

  Abstract Purpose To assess the characteristics and effectiveness of low‐cost platelet‐rich plasma (LC‐PRP) for knee osteoarthritis (OA) by evaluating its composition and effect on pain, function, satisfaction, safety and cost‐effectiveness. Methods Level IV evidence single‐arm prospective cohort pilot study of 20 subjects (30 knees total) with mild‐to‐moderate knee OA. Two LC‐PRP injections were performed, 3 weeks apart. Platelet extraction/yield, patient‐reported outcomes and incidence of adverse events were assessed with a primary endpoint of 6 months. A cost‐effectiveness analysis of LC‐PRP compared to corticosteroid injection was conducted. Results On average, this LC‐PRP preparation method allowed for recovery of 85% of platelets. Significant mean differences in Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores (total, pain and function) and global assessment score were observed at all follow‐up points compared to baseline ( p &lt; 0.05 for 1, 3, 6 and 12 months). Satisfaction was noted in 90% of patients at 6 months and 75% of patients at 12 months. No significant adverse events were reported. LC‐PRP was less costly ($654 vs. $1308) and yielded more QALYs (0.846 vs. 0.708) than corticosteroid injections. Per injection costs were estimated to be $10 for corticosteroid and $11 for LC‐PRP. Conclusions This pilot study demonstrates that LC‐PRP ($11) may significantly benefit patients with knee OA. LC‐PRP appears to be a safe, cost‐effective means for improving pain and function in knee OA. Level of Evidence Level IV.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Phenotype of Achilles Tendon Ultrasonographic Abnormalities and Their Relationship to Future Time-Loss Injury

  Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine · 2025-03-11 · 1 citations

  article1st authorCorresponding

  OBJECTIVE: To identify specific tendon morphologies on ultrasonography of the Achilles tendon (AT) that later develop time-loss injury. DESIGN: Blinded post hoc analysis of a 2-year prospective, observational study of 944 AT sonographic videos to identify morphologic characteristics of diagnosed Achilles tendinopathies associated with future time-loss injury. The second year was used to validate the findings from the first year. SETTING: N/A. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Four hundred seventy-three National Collegiate Athletic Association student-athletes from 3 institutions over 2 years of data collection (57.7% females; 20.1 ± 1.6 years of age; 23.1 ± 2.8 kg/m 2 of body mass index; 9.4 ± 3.6 years of sport experience). INTERVENTIONS/ASSESSMENT OF RISK FACTORS: Particular tendon morphologies were used to develop 3 ultrasonographic imaging rules that were used to predict AT injury leading to time loss in sport. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive values of particular tendon morphologies associated with the development of time-loss injury within 1 year. RESULTS: One of 3 morphologies, a deep mid-substance focal hypoechogenic area, was validated on 2 separate data sets and found to have a 33.3% PPV in both years for the development of time-loss injury. CONCLUSION: Results suggest a specific phenotype of sonographic abnormality of the AT that suggests a 1-in-3 chance of developing time-loss injury within a year. Detecting abnormality of future AT before symptoms develop may allow for rehabilitation strategies to prevent or reduce time-loss.

  PublisherDOI

Frequent coauthors

• Masaru Teramoto

  University of Utah

  51 shared

• Zachary L. McCormick

  University of Utah

  42 shared

• Cheri Blauwet

  Harvard University

  37 shared

• Stuart E. Willick

  University of Utah

  34 shared

• Martin Schwellnus

  University of the Western Cape

  26 shared

• Aaron Conger

  University of Utah

  23 shared

• Zachary L. McCormick

  University of Utah

  19 shared

• Sarah F. Eby

  Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital

  16 shared

Labs

• University of Utah Orthopaedic CenterPI

Education

• M.D.

  University of Utah

• Other, Sports Medicine

  University of Utah

• Other, Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation

  Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago (Northwestern University)