Haariss Ilyas, MD and Brian Mbah, MD
BY Meredith Knight
Baylor Scott & White Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Institute provides quality and comprehensive orthopedic care for patients suffering from musculoskeletal disorders and injuries. Here are two of their highly trained professionals.
Dr. Brian Mbah
Brian Mbah has no trouble putting himself in his patients’ shoes. A lifelong athlete, he endured many a sports injury. When it came time to choose a career, he knew he wanted to continue being involved with sports and athletes. Now, as a fellowship-trained primary care sports medicine physician, he specializes in management of non-operative acute and chronic sports and orthopedic-related injuries and loves helping others get back to the activities they love.
“Whether it’s a young kid playing team sports or a senior who enjoys pickleball, my goal is to get them back in the game,” Dr. Mbah said. “I take time talking to them about their recovery goals, educating them about treatment options, and partnering with them in deciding how we’ll proceed.”
One of his patients had this to say, “Even though I’m sure he was very busy Dr. Mbah took time with me and gave me more information in 15 minutes than I’d received with any of my other doctor’s visits. He made me feel comfortable. He made me feel safe. He made me feel we had a plan.”
Dr. Mbah’s practice includes arthritis, tendinopathies, non-operative fracture care, and concussions. He specializes in ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal procedures, including steroid injections, orthobiologics, nerve blocks, prolotherapy, and percutaneous tenotomy. In his free time, he enjoys playing and watching sports, traveling with his wife, and trying new cuisine.
Dr. Haariss Ilyas
For Dr. Haariss Ilyas, spine surgery holds a special interest. “Each patient is unique with unique problems,” he said. “It’s like putting together a puzzle with many pieces beginning with the physical exam and talking to them about their goals.”
Although he’s a board certified, fellowship-trained spine surgeon with years of experience, for him surgery is always a last resort. “For most patients, a combination of medication, injections, and non-operative therapies can restore their function and quality of life,” Dr. Ilyas said. “It’s only after we exhaust all conservative measures that we’ll consider surgical options.”
Dr. Ilyas spends time getting to know each patient, where they are, and where they’d like to be. “What are the hobbies they’re not able to enjoy? How is their injury limiting their life?” From there, he keeps the patient involved in all decision making, showing them their imaging, explaining what’s contributing to their symptoms, and all viable treatment options.
“The best day is any day I see a patient who was once in pain with limited function and now has their strength and quality of life back.” His free time is happily spent with his wife and their four, two, and five-month-old children. He’s about to embark on his first medical mission trip to Pakistan.
Physicians are employees of HealthTexas Provider Network, a member of Baylor Scott & White Health. ©2024 Baylor Scott & White Health.
