Newsworthy

Sports and injuries go together like baseball and Cracker Jack®. From high-performing professional athletes to weekend warriors, it’s nearly impossible to find an athlete who hasn’t hurt themselves at some point in their career. Most sports injuries are due to either trauma or overuse of muscles or joints.

Some sports injuries can be serious enough that surgery is required. When this happens, having the right orthopedic surgeon and care team can ensure you’re back out on the field, court, track or mat as quickly as possible. And if you’re in northeast Kansas, you’re fortunate enough to have an ace orthopedic surgeon nearby.

To say Dr. Bradley Poole knows sports medicine would be an understatement. He knows the ins and outs of sports and sports medicine because sports is a major part of his life. Not only has he been a part of Cotton O’Neil Orthopedics & Sports Medicine for 15 years, but he also played Division 1 baseball at the University of Pittsburgh. In addition, he has two daughters who are both active in sports.

“I knew I wasn’t going to make any money playing baseball because I wasn’t good enough,” Dr. Poole laughed. “But I was around the sport and I was around trainers and primary care sports physicians, and thought ‘this is really interesting stuff.’”

As an orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Poole treats dislocations and separations, tendonitis, rotator cuff injuries, overuse injuries, torn cartilage, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries, medial collateral ligament (MCL) injuries, and so much more. Dr. Poole works closely with athletic trainers, other Cotton O’Neil orthopedists, and patients to create a treatment plan that works.

Think of these treatment plans as a pitching lineup. Dr. Poole is the starting pitcher. His job is to get you through the bulk of the innings — or in this case, the injury. He sets everything in motion and gets you to the point where your middle reliever can enter the game. For this example, our clinical sports team serves as the middle relief pitcher. They work with patients following surgery to ensure they are progressing and healing. They develop routines to help rehabilitate patients and build back their strength.

Then it comes down to the closer… that’s you, the patient. Dr. Poole and our orthopedists can take you only so far. In order to fully heal, you need to follow strict instructions, stay active through approved exercise, and know your limitations.

“Most athletes who are injured want to be better yesterday,” Dr. Poole said. “They tend to have a different mindset. They love the game and want to get back as quickly as possible. Our job is to get them there physically and mentally.”

Don’t let an injury keep you from competing in the sports you love. Call (785) 270-8880 to make an appointment with Dr. Poole or any of the other experts at Cotton O’Neil Orthopedics & Sports Medicine!