Sports Medicine

Sports Medicine

Bringing the best in sports medicine to western North Carolina For over 20 years, Mission Sports Medicine (MSM) has provided quality sports medical care so that western North Carolina student-athletes can, in accord with our philosophy, “Be Well. Get Well.

Stay Well. Play Well.� MSM is a collaboration between Mission Health hospitals and the region's leading sports medicine practices, including 17 board-certified sports medicine physicians, nine fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians, and over 45 additional sub-specialist partners. Thus, we form the most comprehensive sports medicine program for athletes in the region.

What is sports medicine?

Sports medicine is the field of medicine dealing with fitness, injury treatment and prevention, and wellness as it relates to sports. Sports medicine physicians strive to maximize function and minimize injury in athletes and other physically active individuals, by focusing on strength training, conditioning, and healthy lifestyles.

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MSM services include on-site medical coverage for injury evaluation at events, injury treatment/management, injury prevention and overall sports performance. The organization also provides educational programming throughout the region to share best practices and emerging care for athletes. Our specialty sports medicine services include the following: • Neurosurgery, neurology, and neuropsychology (complex concussion management) • Foot/ankle orthopedics • Pediatric orthopedics • Trauma orthopedics • Pediatric cardiology • Ear, nose, and throat (ENT) • Ophthalmology • Dentistry Mission Sports Medicine provides a continuum of care, including athletic training, non-invasive, therapeutic and surgical interventions, rehabilitation, and return-to-play guidance.

Sports injuries not only jeopardize an athlete’s competitive career, but can also negatively affect their quality of life for years to come. At MSM, we have dedicated ourselves to minimizing the risk of serious injury by implementing a model of education and clinical treatment standards.

Today, MSM supports athletic programs in 17 secondary schools throughout western North Carolina, including Erwin, Roberson, Asheville, and North Buncombe public schools in Buncombe County. (The program is not related to the orthopedic programs offered through other hospitals or practices in WNC.) Schools in the county range from 1A to 4A, and MSM provides one athletic trainer to 1A and 2A schools, and two athletic trainers to most of the larger 3A and 4A schools. MSM provides athletic trainers as a free service to public schools in the area, and private schools and independent sports teams have the option to purchase these medical services.

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Recognizing the risks and benefits There are multiple benefits to participating in sports. Beyond the importance of physical fitness, athletes learn valuable life skills such as goal-setting, team building, a strong work ethic, and perseverance. Sport-related injuries, however, pose a serious risk, and youth sports injuries are being diagnosed more frequently. The Center for Disease Control estimates that more than 2,600,000 children are treated in the emergency department each year for sports and recreation-related injuries.

While strains and sprains are the most common injuries reported for youth athletes, broken bones, scrapes and concussions also top the list.

About 90% of sports-related injuries are non-surgical, ranging from mild traumatic brain injury, such as concussion, to illness, such as infectious mononucleosis. However, concussions are a growing concern for young athletes and require evaluation by a clinician specially trained in concussion management, such as an MSM specialist. The American Academy of Pediatrics reports that emergency room visits for concussions in children (ages 8 to 13 years) more than doubled between 1997 and 2007. Concussions have also risen 200% in the last decade among teens (ages 14 to 19 years). According to the CDC, "cumulative sports concussions are shown to increase the likelihood of catastrophic head injury leading to permanent neurologic disability by 39 percent."

Whether a concussion, or simple sprain or break, Mission Sports Medicine is making sure that athletes in western North Carolina have regular access to early assessment and treatment, thanks to our dedicated team of sports medicine specialists.

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The athletic trainer: Putting the athlete first Why should a school or organization invest in a certified athletic trainer? An MSM athletic trainer (AT) is integral to improving health outcomes for youth athletes. Sports injuries can be serious. Brain and spinal cord injuries, and conditions such as heat stroke, can be life-threatening if not recognized early and properly managed. Having on-site ATs who work with youth athletes to prevent injuries, provide immediate care, and lead follow-up rehab is invaluable. ATs also assist youth athletes with diabetes, asthma and other chronic illnesses, allowing them to safely participate in sports. Certified ATs offer student athletes unparalleled care in preventing, treating and rehabilitating sports injuries and medical conditions.

It is difficult to imagine an optimal sports medicine care team functioning without the involvement of athletic trainers. ATs interact daily with student athletes, and are well trained in acute injury and illness evaluation and management. They facilitate care from other clinicians when needed, and work closely with team physicians to provide comprehensive care for athletes. ATs also serves as a liaison to the MSM care team of physicians, supplying knowledge of an athlete's history to determine the best possible treatment. In seventeen schools in western North Carolina, ATs work with coaching staffs to ensure the highest degree of safety and care in preventing and treating sports injuries.

Expanding our scope and impact Mission Sports Medicine is dedicated to educating athletes, families, coaches and the community about the benefits of professional medical injury assessment and having a medical team on call to provide professional treatment.

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The Mission Sports Medicine team has identified several opportunities to protect the health and welfare of all athletes.

Bi-Annual Coaches Clinic (Fall/Spring):

$30,000

Mission Sports Medicine currently offers an annual clinic for public-school coaches, covering topics such as concussion management, new concussion laws, sudden cardiac death and AED certification. One of the most effective components of the training is Live Action Interactive Role-playing (LAIR), where coaches partner with EMS, physicians, and athletic trainers to practice dealing with medical emergencies as first responders.

Through this training, coaches gain confidence in responding to injuries, and learn decision-making skills to mirror that of an athletic trainer.

With funding, Mission Sports Medicine will add a similar training clinic for recreational coaches, who constitute the majority of state sport programs. The potential to empower numerous coaches and athletes in preventing injuries and assessing injury risks is significant.

National Speaker Series (Youth Sport Safety Summit):

$25,000 Mission Sports Medicine is a leader in providing best practice information to schools, community athletic programs, and parents, as well as primary care physicians and community health workers who are likely to treat youth injuries. The new National Speaker Series will feature prominent practitioners in sports medicine or sports figures addressing educational topics related to athlete safety. We anticipate hosting a national speaker at least once a year, with more locally-targeted opportunities occurring approximately once a quarter.

Mission Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic:

$100,000

The Mission Sports Medicine Concussion Clinic focuses on both the diagnosis and the best practices in the long-term management of concussions. This clinic is geared to athletes or working professionals – such as firefighters, also known as industrial athletes – with a suspected or diagnosed concussion. Led by two primary care physicians with specialized training in concussions, patients may undergo a variety of assessments, such as ImPACT, a neurocognitive assessment tool. This test helps physicians pinpoint the area of injury, which, in turn, allows the providers to develop a customized treatment plan and return-to-function plan of care.

One of the more challenging conditions that may result from a concussion are balance issues, which must be diagnosed with vestibular and ocular testing. With funding, Mission Sports Medicine will purchase a balance system allowing physicians to assess this critical function in a more nuanced way. The investment will also aid in the purchase of additional resources, including assessment tools and educational materials, for distribution in public forums.

NFL "Heads Up" Program in Asheville:

$5,000

The National Football League (NFL) runs a well-organized, top-rated program for advancing safety in youth football. However, football remains the most injury-prone sport, with a “head’s first” philosophy guiding competitive play. The NFL is invested in teaching best practices around an alternative philosophy that includes new tackle and hitting techniques, as well proper use of protective head equipment. The program also addresses heat preparedness strategies, such as timely hydration and recognizing signs of heat stroke or fatigue. Most youth football coaches in the state are volunteers, making the drills and workshops offered by the NFL an invaluable tool in keeping youth football safe for current and future participants across the state.

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High School Student Aid Program:

Electronic Medical Records System:

Athletic training is a growing field of study. Mission Sports Medicine is interested in piloting a mentorship program for rising 11th and 12th grade students interested in exploring athletic training as a career. The mentorship program will include year-long shadowing with an athletic trainer where “apprentices� learn basic first aid response, infection prevention, HIPPA compliance, supply kit management, and other essential skills. When possible, students will also pursue relevant certifications during the program, such as the American Heart Association CPR-First Responder certification.

Every year, student athletes must undergo a pre-participation physical (PPE), which is different from a well-child exam. PPEs are recorded manually on paper reports, and then distributed to coaches and medical professionals.

Thus, medical check-ups completed for an upcoming academic sports year can generate over 3,000 original pieces of paper. While Mission Sports Medicine has instituted best practices around record-keeping and distribution, our ultimate goal is to utilize an online software program to refine the process, making it more accessible, easily-searchable, and environmentally-friendly.

Said online system will also allow a parent to register a child and complete the safety check electronically and at his/her convenience.

$15,000

After the pilot, we will explore the possibility of running a week-long athletic training camp for interested high school students across the country. In addition to the skills taught in the year-long program, the week-long course will feature lessons in wilderness emergencies, prepping for an interview, and the role of athletic directors in school or community-based sports programs. The local participants from the year-long program will be invited to discuss their experiences, providing them an opportunity to coach their peers and gain invaluable leadership experience.

Lecture Series for Primary Care Providers:

$15,000

Sports medicine is a specialty unavailable in most communities. Therefore, Mission Sports Medicine is interested in sharing its expertise with regional primary care providers most likely to treat concussions, musculoskeletal, and other sports injuries. Series topics will include cardiac heart conditions, return to play/work/school after a concussion, and emerging information on musculoskeletal conditions. The goal of the series is to provide brief, easily-accessible and ongoing educational presentations for live or digital use.

$15,000

Medbridge Web-based Education Program:

$4,000

Medbridge is a web-based continuing education and therapy platform for athletic trainers, providing access to online continuing education seminars, and interactive physical therapy planning for injured athletes. With this program, athletic trainers can create custom rehabilitation and exercise programs for athletes, and digitally send training materials and instructions to athletes and their families. This program also provides a useful communication tool for athletes, families and trainers; injury updates and new exercise plans can be easily sent, even during summer vacations and holidays. This feature will transform the relationship and communication between athletic trainer, athletes and their families. At $200 per person per year, implementing this program is an efficient use of staff time, and gives injured athletes and their families helpful tools for rehab and recovery.

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Staff Annual Education:

CPR Instructor Certification:

$18,000

$4,045

Sports medicine is a rapidly changing field requiring ongoing education and training. Each year, MSM athletic trainers will identify national education and speaking opportunities that could enhance their practice and skillset. Funds for staff education will be used strategically to send trainers to national conferences (every other year), then report back on new trends, evidence, and techniques in the field, and educate their colleagues.

Many regional coaches would like to, and should be, CPR certified. Currently, MSM has just one qualified athletic trainer to lead CPR certification. With funding, MSM proposes to train an additional six to seven athletic trainers as CPR instructors to meet the school and community demand for CPR certification.

Two-pack EpiPen for Allergic Reaction:

$372-$572/pack

Life-threatening childhood allergies are on the rise.

According to the Center for Disease Control, the rate of childhood allergies increased by 50 percent between 1997 and 2011. The EpiPen, an epinephrine autoinjector, is the first line of defense for treating a severe allergic and anaphylactic reactions to bee stings, food allergies or other irritants. With an average emergency response time of 11-12 minutes, the EpiPen buys precious time and provides necessary relief until a student can be transported to a medical facility. Unfortunately, EpiPens expire at 12-18 months, making annual purchases necessary. Each of the athletic trainers deployed in schools must carry a pack of two EpiPens to assure a quick response.

School Medical Supplies:

$3,000 per year For just $3,000, a public school will be provided with the equipment and supplies athletic trainers need to provide medical care for student athletes during the school year.

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Assisting student athletes across the state Mission Sports Medicine, like the many athletes it serves, aspires to be the best in its field. The above case for support outlines strategic investments that will improve short- and long-term health and wellness for athletes across North Caro-lina, and eventually, the nation. Through training services and ongoing educational programs, MSM possesses the unique ability to deliver best practices to the community, and ultimately enhance and lengthen the careers of student athletes across the state.

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