3 minute read
After the Game
from June 2020
28 // June 2020
After the Game Sports Medicine
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Dalton State men’s basketball team was up against Mississippi’s William Carey University in the last conference game of the season.
“It was a huge game,” says Malik Pugh, recent Dalton State graduate. “Our goal for the season was 20 wins. We were determined that this game was going to be our team’s twentieth win.”
“We were up and my teammate, Kingston Frazier, passed me the ball. Then I saw my opponent come up behind me, trying to block me. I went to dunk the ball, but as soon as I jumped up, it felt like blood rushed up to my knee.”
Malik fell to the floor.
Hamilton Sports Medicine’s head certified athletic trainer Sherman Howze rushed out onto the court. “Malik’s knee cap looked irregular,” says Sherman. “I suspected that he had ruptured his patellar tendon, but that’s an uncommon injury. I really hoped I was wrong.”
Sherman called orthopedic surgeon Mitch Frix, MD, for assistance. Thankfully, even though it was a Saturday night, Dr. Frix was in the office.
“I just wanted to get back in the game,” says Malik. “My adrenaline was rushing.”
Unfortunately, when Dr. Frix examined Malik’s knee, he confirmed that he had ruptured his patellar tendon.
Dr. Frix explained to Malik that the patellar tendon attaches the bottom of the kneecap (patella) to the top of the shinbone (tibia). When the patellar tendon is completely torn, the tendon becomes separated from the kneecap. He would not be going back in the game.
The next day, Dr. Frix performed surgery to reattach Malik’s tendon. After the surgery, Malik underwent rehabilitation assistance through Sherman Howze and Hamilton Sports Medicine. After a lot of hard work, by August, Malik was back playing basketball and dunking the ball!
“My coach (Alex Ireland) always said, don’t let basketball use you, use basketball. I think I have done that. I’m so thankful for everyone who helped me to not only become a better basketball player, but a better man. They made sure that my mind was focused on the next step–what comes after the game.”
Hamilton Medical Center has provided certified athletic trainers to local area schools and surrounding communities for over 20 years. Currently, Hamilton’s athletic trainers provide services to Dalton State College, Calhoun High School, Christian Heritage, Coahulla Creek High School, Dalton High School, Murray County High School, North Murray High School, Northwest Whitfield High School, and Southeast Whitfield High School.
The staff at Hamilton Sports Medicine collaborate with physicians, nurses, physical therapists, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics to provide injury prevention, emergency care, medical treatment, and rehabilitation services to student athletes. All of Hamilton’s athletic trainers have graduated from a four-year accredited college athletic training program, are board certified, and licensed by the state of Georgia.
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