Embargoed until 6/19/99
For further information, contact: Lisa Doty, Director of Communications (847) 292-4900 toll free (877) 321-3500
From June 17 to June 22, pager in Traverse City (231) 274-1921
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Encompasses Broad Spectrum of Athletic Care
June 19, 1999-Traverse City, Michigan-The Annual Meeting of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) begins today and ends June 22 here in Traverse City. This meeting will bring together over 800 of the top names in the field of orthopaedic sports medicine. The specialty of orthopaedic sports medicine encompasses a broad spectrum of athletic care, from preparticipation physical exams to injury prevention, treatment and rehabilitation to designing exercise programs to prevent injury. Since the AOSSM's founding in 1972, the care its members give has extended out from the team athlete to the weekend athlete.
"We are concerned with many quality of life issues," said Douglas W. Brown, MD, AOSSM President. "Many of us treat older individuals who want to keep golfing after a hip replacement and work with Little League players to help prevent injuries."
In order to become a member of the AOSSM, an orthopaedic surgeon must devote at least 60 percent of his or her practice to sports medicine and be involved with the medical coverage of a sports team. While many members treat high profile athletes who play on professional teams, many devote their practices to helping out their community by treating players on the local high school or junior college team.
Formed primarily as a forum for education and research, the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine has increased its membership from its modest membership of less than 100 to over 1,200. There are 58 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education approved Fellowships in orthopaedic sports medicine in the United States and Canada.
Through advances in surgical techniques, orthopaedic sports medicine specialists have been able to treat and rehabilitate athletes whose injuries were once career-ending. Such big name athletes as Joe Namath, Joan Benoit-Samuelson, Tommy John, Chris Weber, Monica Seles, and Michael Jordan, to name just a few, have directly benefited from the research conducted by AOSSM members.
In addition to improved surgical techniques, the Society has also made tremendous strides in our ability to identify, treat and prevent sports-related injuries with nonoperative care. The design and functionality of the athletic shoe has been affected by research AOSSM members conducted in order to solve biomechanical problems. Functional and prophylactic knee braces have given a new lease on life to people who have an injury or orthopaedic condition like arthritis and want to stay active. Improved techniques for training and an understanding of how muscle functions has made it easier and safer to get fit.
"When we began, we had no idea that the specialty would become so big," said Dr. Bob Leach, editor of the American Journal of Sports Medicine, the official journal of the AOSSM. "We wanted to share our information and see if we could make a difference. It's become very obvious that we have made an impact and that we have a lot of work ahead of us."
The Society also promotes sports safety by working with Little League, Pop Warner Football and the Inner City Games Foundation. In the past several years, it has issued guidelines on HIV in sports and football helmet removal. Its experts provide patient education information on the Internet and other media outlets.
"Another of our goals is to provide top quality education," Dr. Brown said. "We want to educate ourselves, other health care providers and the general public about sports medicine. A well informed patient working with a doctor who is up to date is one of the best combinations there is."
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) is an international medical specialty association of allied health professionals and physicians, primarily orthopaedic surgeons, who have demonstrated a significant and long-term commitment to sports medicine. The AOSSM promotes and supports education and research programs in sports medicine, including those concerned with physical fitness, as well as programs designed to advance our knowledge in the recognition, treatment, rehabilitation and prevention of athletic injuries.
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