Professional profile
Dr Ridgewell was the first doctor in Wales to be appointed to the GMC Specialist Register in Sport and Exercise Medicine in 2010. He worked for Swansea Bay University Health Board as the Clinical Lead for a specialist musculoskeletal service for over 22 years. He has worked at international level across many sports included rugby, football, athletics, swimming, cricket, tennis, hockey, netball, cycling, and gymnastics. He attended 3 Commonwealth Games as Doctor to Team Wales.
He is Principal Lecturer in Sport & Exercise Medicine at Cardiff Metropolitan University and was Programme Director there for many years. He has acted as a mentor for many junior doctors and physiotherapists who have risen to prominent roles over the years.
Over the last 20 years Dr Ridgewell has gained considerable experience on the management of sporting injuries, specialising in the non-surgical treatment of soft tissue injuries affecting muscles, tendons and ligaments, particularly in the exercising population. Whilst working at the High-performance unit at the Sport Wales Institute between 2003 and 2020, he worked with World, Olympic and Paralympic champions across many sports, including diasbility. He works as adviser for the LTA and WTA and has worked with many of the world’s top female tennis players.
He has excellent communication skills and always liaises closely with Physiotherapists, Osteopaths/Chiropractors and Orthopaedic Surgeons to determine the best management plan to bring good outcomes for his patients. He understands the significant effects that injury and pain can have on normal day to day life and very much encourages physical activity in his treatment plans.
Recent and current appointments
- Lead Doctor for 2023 LTA Grass Court Tennis Championships
- Head Doctor for Loughborough University National Tennis Academy
- WTA Player Physician, including at the Birmingham Classic tournament - 2013 - present
- Hon. Principal Lecturer SEM Cardiff Metropolitan University
- Lead Sports Physician High Performance Unit at Sport Wales Institute, Cardiff - 2003-2020
- JLT Condor and Team Storey Cycling Racing Teams 2014-2020
- Chief Medical Officer and Doctor to Wales Football Team - 2005-2012
- Team doctor to Scarlets, Ospreys and Swansea Rugby Club - 1991-2014
- Chief Medical Adviser England & Wales Cricket Board - 2000-2003
Mark specialises in the use of diagnostic ultrasound, guided injections of hyaluronic acid, steroid and Platelet-rich plasma. Shockwave (ESWT) for tendon and other soft tissue injuries.
