MEDICINE OUTSIDE THE BOX
Practice Pearls from the Pitch : The Team Physicians ’ Perspective
“
Everything
by W . MICHAEL HUGHES , JR , DO , CAQSM
in medicine will change by the time you graduate .” These are the words of one of my professors from medical school over a decade ago . I reflect on this quote as I reflect on the five years I have had the privilege of being part of the medical staff for the Louisville City Football Club ( LCFC ). As founding partners with the club , Baptist Health has been the medical team taking care of the players both on the field and off the field . As time has passed , nearly everything has changed - new players to the club , new dynamics , newer ways to care for the players - though everything hasn ’ t changed . We are the same physicians caring for the team , just hopefully performing it better , more efficiently .
I joined the medical staff in 2017 , two years after the team was founded . I will never forget what one of my partners said in relation to the opportunity before us . He told me that the players have the utmost respect for our relationship with them as they rely on us helping to keep them healthy . Their physical health is their livelihood . I have seen that play out as this group of athletes values my opinion and trusts the process . Even through sometimes season-ending injuries , they trust us . I am reminded of a particular injury and the hopelessness I saw on the athlete ’ s face when he said , “ Will I play again this season ?” While the athlete was training , he was going to pivot on the play and felt a pop along the outside of his knee . He was able to bear weight , but he was sent in for urgent evaluation by the athletic trainer due to his pain and knee effusion . MRI confirmed our suspicion of an acute osteochondral defect of the lateral femoral condyle . Thankfully through several weeks of in-office treatments and months of physical therapy , he was able to fully return to the pitch . He trusted the process , as it was born out of the trust he placed in us to help him return to an elite status .
Often , however , these conversations regarding their health come after hours - on the sideline , in the training room or even through a text message . Often , they are not season ending injuries , rather a question about a sinus infection , or even a family member who is
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