How Athletic Trainers Help with Injury Recovery
Imagine this scenario: your high school students sprains their ankle playing lacrosse. You make an appointment at Goldsmith Podiatry and one of our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith and Dr. Rosanna Troia treat the injury and then create a plan for rehabilitating the ankle which will likely include exercises and physical therapy. Your teen wants to get back in the game as soon as possible—who can help ensure that do so appropriately and safely? Your school’s athletic trainer.
Role of an Athletic Trainer
It’s likely the athletic trainer was on scene when your child’s injury occurred, and they can play a key part in their recovery. Athletic trainers are specially trained health care professionals that can coordinate care with your podiatrist (or other physician). Some ways they can help include:
Work with your teen to do specified strengthening and rehabilitation exercises.
Develop a return-to-play protocol that gets your athlete back to playing gradually and safely
Provide taping or other services to help prevent future injuries to a vulnerable area
Monitor your child’s performance and assess any ongoing or future symptoms
Athletic trainers help student in other ways as well. They are qualified to treat all types of sports-related illnesses and injuries from heat stroke and cramping to sprains and concussions. They are even certified for emergency care for serious situations such as cardiac arrest or spinal injuries.
In addition, athletic trainers focus on injury prevention and healthy habits for athletes. Staying hydrated, good nutrition, the debilitating effects of alcohol and drugs are all topics an athletic trainer is likely to address with athletes. Their suggestions are often better received in the context of improving performance in a much-loved sport.
Finally, athletic trainers serve as advocates for young athletes. Remember, the athletic trainer is the only one of the field whose sole interest and focus is on the health and safety of the athletes.
Sports Injury treatment and prevention is a team sport! If your child has suffered an injury be sure to contact our Upper West Side office at 212-877-1002 for an appointment as soon as possible for a full assessment and treatment.