You probably don’t notice them during the course of a game, but rest assured, they’re always watching from the sidelines ready to spring into action in times of uncertainty. While you’re watching the star athlete or big play, University of Minnesota Physicians (M Physicians) sports medicine faculty are focused on the potential injuries that can accompany high-level athletic performance.
“The challenges on game day are that you really need to be prepared for taking care of things from simple bumps and bruises to potentially life-threatening injuries," said Bradley Nelson, MD, Medical Director for University of Minnesota Athletics.
Every sport is unique and provides a variety of dangerous scenarios, forcing sports medicine physicians to go through a great deal of preparation and training for the unexpected. This is why sports medicine physicians and orthopaedic surgeons collaborate with athletic trainers and emergency medical services (EMS) personnel to be proficient in any situation and provide the proper care that it requires.
“We train for that and train with EMS on the football field and in the hockey rink to prepare for those potential life-threatening emergencies,” says Nelson.
Running Gopher Athletics’ sports medicine clinic requires strong partnerships in order for student-athletes to get the care they need, whether that be for a minor injury or a complex surgery. Partnering with M Physicians has allowed for quicker diagnoses and treatments, both of which are critical aspects for sports injuries.
Nelson reiterated, “One of the things that’s been helpful is that M Physicians’ providers have been great partners in providing care for Gopher student-athletes. We can get someone in to see a gastrointestinal doctor that day, or we can get someone to see cardiology that day because people understand the time pressure is real.”
M Physicians’ orthopaedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians go beyond Gopher Athletics. They’re also involved in the community from high school sporting events up to Minnesota’s professional sports teams.
“We provide medical coverage for things like the X Games, the U.S. Pond Hockey Championships, the Twin Cities Marathon and the NCAA Final Four this past year. We’ll also provide medical coverage for the NCAA wrestling championships at US Bank Stadium in 2020,” said Nelson.
“The sports medicine team at the University is actually one of M Physicians’ jewels. We have a long reputation of training fellows who are involved in many high-level athletics. It’s something we should be proud of and excited about.”
Bradley Nelson, MD, Medical Director for University of Minnesota Athletics
Whether they’re caring for high school students or professional athletes, M Physicians’ sports medicine physicians and orthopaedic surgeons enable Minnesota’s athletes to perform at the highest levels. Their expertise and dedication in the field ensures that athletes get the care they need, when they need it.
To learn more about M Physicians’ sports medicine services or make an appointment, visit us online.