Behind the Sports Medicine

" Mental Health, Mentorship and the Athlete" Episode 11 with Co-Founder of Athletes Better Together Maura McCarthy, retired ATC, retired Sargent Massachusetts State Police

Summary

Maura McCarthy, a retired athlete trainer and state police sergeant, shares her journey and the importance of mental health and well-being for young athletes. She discusses her transition from athletic training to becoming a state police officer and the challenges she faced. McCarthy also talks about her program, Athletes Better Together, which helps high school athletes transition into college athletics by providing group sessions, mentoring, and mental skill building. The program aims to prepare athletes for the challenges they may face in college and help them develop the necessary skills to navigate those challenges. Better Together is a platform that aims to support student-athletes in their transition from high school to college. The platform focuses on mental health and provides resources and mentorship to help athletes navigate the challenges they may face. The founders, Maura McCarthy, Dr. Kim O'Brien, and Daphne Faldy, have personal experiences and expertise in mental health, trauma, and athletics. They emphasize the importance of building connections, relationships, and bridges to create a support system for student-athletes. The goal is to prepare athletes mentally for the next level and provide them with the tools to handle adversity and maintain their well-being.

 

Takeaways: 

1. Mental health and well-being are crucial for young athletes transitioning into college athletics.
2. Programs like Athletes Better Together provide support, guidance, and mentoring to help athletes navigate the challenges they may face.
3. Effective communication, self-advocacy, and understanding different perspectives are important skills for athletes to develop.
4. Athletic trainers play a vital role in the overall well-being of athletes and can provide valuable support and guidance. Better Together focuses on supporting student-athletes in their transition from high school to college.
5. The platform emphasizes mental health and provides resources and mentorship.
6. Building connections and relationships is crucial for student-athletes.
7. The goal is to prepare athletes mentally for the next level and provide them with the tools to handle adversity.

 

"How to Manage Knee Arthritis" Episode 10 of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with Vascular Surgeon from the Vascular Care Group, Dr. Zachary Fang

 

Dr. Zachary Fang from the Vascular Care Group discusses the procedure called GAE (Genicular Artery Embolization) for knee osteoarthritis. GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the small blood vessels in the knee joint to block inflammation and reduce pain. It is an alternative for patients who want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery. The procedure can also be done for patients who have already had a knee replacement but still experience pain. GAE is suitable for patients with comorbidities who are not candidates for knee replacement. The procedure has low risks and can provide long-lasting pain relief. Dr. Zachary Fang discusses the recovery process after geniculate artery embolization (GAE) for knee osteoarthritis. He advises patients to take it easy for the first 48 hours after the procedure and gradually resume normal activities over the course of a week. Pain relief post-surgery is not immediate, but patients typically experience a 25% decrease in pain in the first week, followed by a 10% reduction each week for six weeks. The majority of improvement is seen by three months, and long-term data from Japan shows continued pain reduction even after two years. GAE is a potential alternative for patients who want to avoid knee replacement surgery. If patients experience discomfort again several months after the procedure, a repeat GAE can be considered after at least three months. Dr. Fang also mentions the possibility of using GAE for other weight-bearing joints like hips and shoulders in the future.

Takeaways

1. GAE is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the small blood vessels in the knee joint to block inflammation and reduce pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis.
2. GAE can be an alternative for patients who want to delay or avoid knee replacement surgery.
3. The procedure can also be done for patients who have already had a knee replacement but still experience pain.
4. GAE is suitable for patients with comorbidities who are not candidates for knee replacement.
5. The procedure has low risks and can provide long-lasting pain relief. After geniculate artery embolization (GAE) for knee osteoarthritis, patients should take it easy for the first 48 hours and gradually resume normal activities over a week.
6. Pain relief after GAE is not immediate, but patients typically experience a 25% decrease in pain in the first week, followed by a 10% reduction each week for six weeks.
7. The majority of improvement is seen by three months, and long-term data from Japan shows continued pain reduction even after two years.
8. GAE is a potential alternative for patients who want to avoid knee replacement surgery, especially younger individuals still working in physically demanding fields.
   If patients experience discomfort again several months after GAE, a repeat procedure can be considered after at least three months.
9. There is a possibility of using GAE for other weight-bearing joints like hips and shoulders in the future.

 

"Life of an Athletic Trainer" Episode 9 Part 2 of The Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Boston Redsox Anthony Cerundolo

Hey everybody, welcome back to episode nine, part two of Behind the Sports Medicine podcast. In this episode, Anthony and I talk about the challenges of managing sleep patterns in athletes, especially when they're traveling across different time zones. We then go on to talk about how we can use tracking systems like whoop and or a ring to help monitor those sleep patterns and other metrics for performance. We then discuss the role of team physicians and how that is important in our ability to be able to come to certain decision -making when it comes to returning athletes to activity. 

We also discuss about how mentorship is very important in our field of athletic training and how we develop as professionals. We then close out to talk about advising young professionals to be patient. They need to be open -minded and willing to learn in order to succeed in this profession. So thank you all for tuning in and I hope you enjoy this episode. 

"Life of an Athletic Trainer" Episode 9 Part 1 of The Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Boston Redsox, Anthony Cerundolo

 

In this episode of Behind the Sports Medicine podcast, host Andrew Rizza interviews Anthony Cerundolo, Assistant Athletic Trainer for the Boston Red Sox. They discuss the role of athletic trainers in professional baseball and the importance of building relationships with athletes. They also touch on the use of sports science and analytics in player rehabilitation and performance optimization. The conversation highlights the challenges of managing player recovery and sleep patterns, as well as the impact of nutrition and alcohol on athlete performance.

 

Takeaways

1.  Building relationships with athletes is crucial in athletic training.
2. Sports science and analytics play a significant role in player rehabilitation and performance optimization.
3. Managing player recovery and sleep patterns is essential for optimal performance.
4. Nutrition and alcohol consumption can impact athlete performance.

 

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"How to be the Best PT" Episode 8 Part 2 on The Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with Assistant Director of Outpatient Services for Willis Knighton Healthcare systems, Lee Rielly, PhD., RPT.

Episode 8 Part 2

Closing out our conversation, Lee and I cover various topics related to the field of sports medicine and physical therapy. We discuss the importance of proving one's worth and gaining experience in order to advance in the field. Lee and I  also touch on the challenges of reimbursement and the need for a value-based payment structure. The importance of mentorship and providing quality care to patients is emphasized. We close out the conversation and reflect on our own career paths and offer advice to young therapists and students pursuing a career in sports medicine.

 

Takeaways

1. Proving one's worth and gaining experience is crucial for advancement in the field of sports medicine and physical therapy.

2. The reimbursement system in healthcare needs to catch up with the changing landscape and the value provided by therapists.

3. Mentorship plays a vital role in the development of young therapists and students.

4. Providing quality care and making patients feel valued is essential for success in the field.

5. Young therapists and students should have realistic expectations about salary and focus on the passion and impact they can make in their careers.

 

"How to be the Best PT" Episode 8 Part 1 of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with Asst. Dir. of Outpatient Services at Willis Knighton Healthcare Systems, Lee Rielly, PhD., RPT.

Summary

In this episode of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast, host Andrew Rizza interviews Dr. Lee Rielly, a licensed physical therapist and clinical director at Willis-Knighton Healthcare Systems in Louisiana. They discuss topics such as career development, mentorship, reimbursement in healthcare, and the importance of providing quality care. They also touch on the challenges of reimbursement in the healthcare industry and the importance of building a sense of community within the organization. Dr. Rielly shares his experience in managing an interdisciplinary team and the role of athletic trainers in providing direct access to physical therapy services. They also discuss the future of small private practices in the changing healthcare landscape.

 

Takeaways

1. Career development and mentorship are important aspects of professional growth in the healthcare industry.
2. Reimbursement in the healthcare industry can be challenging, and small private practices may struggle to survive.
3. Building a sense of community within an organization is crucial for providing quality care.
4. Athletic trainers play a vital role in providing direct access to physical therapy services.
The future of small private practices may involve transitioning to a cash-based model or leveraging social media for marketing and promotion.

 

 

"Why is ATI Physical Therapy an Industry Leader" Episode 7 Part 2 of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with CEO of ATI PT Sharon Vitti

 

The conversation revolves around the topic of education and communication in the field of sports medicine. Sharon and I discuss the importance of educating younger therapists and building their confidence and communication skills. We then discuss and emphasize the need for therapists to believe in the care they provide and effectively communicate its importance to patients. Our conversation also touches on the challenges of payer mix and the need for PTs to demonstrate the value of their services. We then go on to discuss the future of ATI and their plans for growth, including investments in digital front-end, hybrid models of care, and AI tools. We close out the conversation by highlighting the importance of empathy and patient-centered care in healthcare leadership.

Takeaways

• Educating and building the confidence and communication skills of younger therapists is crucial in the field of sports medicine.
• Therapists need to believe in the care they provide and effectively communicate its importance to patients
• Demonstrating the value of physical therapy services is essential in addressing payer mix challenges.
• ATI is focused on growth and plans to invest in digital front-end, hybrid models of care, and AI tools.
• Empathy and patient-centered care are important qualities in healthcare leadership.

 

"Why is ATI Physical Therapy an Industry Leader" Episode 7 Part 1 of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast with CEO of ATIPT Sharon Vitti

In this episode of Behind the Sports Medicine Podcast, host Andrew Rizza interviews Sharon Vitti, CEO of ATI Physical Therapy. They discuss ATI as a company, Sharon's journey to becoming CEO, and the landscape of the physical therapy healthcare system. They also touch on the importance of education and communication in sports medicine and physical therapy, the challenges of payor mix and demonstrating the value of PT services, the future of ATI and investment in digital front hybrid models of care, and the importance of empathy and patient-centered care.

 

Takeaways

• ATI Physical Therapy is a purpose-driven organization that focuses on providing holistic care and helping patients achieve their goals.
• Access to care is important and should be easy, convenient, and affordable for patient
• There is a need to educate patients and the healthcare industry about the value of physical therapy and its role in rehabilitation, prevention, and overall musculoskeletal care.
• ATI Physical Therapy differentiates itself through its national practice model, standardized clinical guidelines, team-based care, and focus on outcomes and research.
• The future of ATI includes investment in digital tools, telehealth, and hybrid models of care to improve patient experience and outcomes.
• Empathy and patient-centered care are key components of ATI's approach to healthcare.