Sports Medicine

September 4, 2020

Athletic Trainer Services for Student Athletes Remain Robust, Despite COVID-19

By Carolyn Comeau COVID-19 has brought an inestimable number of uncertainties to daily life, but it’s school systems that may have to make the hardest calls about the future, and what learning will look like. Accordingly, student athletes involved in school sports programs are in a similar state of limbo. “At this point,” said Shelli […]

read more

August 5, 2020

5 Things You Can Do at Home to Relieve Joint Pain during COVID-19

By Jennifer Bringle Joint pain can be a really annoying affliction, and it can also be a debilitating condition that interferes with a sufferer’s quality of life. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, recognizing the difference between something that can be treated at home and something requiring an office visit is more important than ever. Luckily, […]

read more

July 16, 2020

Avoiding Injury While Recreating Outdoors—But Safe Care Is Available if You Need It

By Carolyn Comeau North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper put a stay-at-home order into effect in an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19. It was lifted on May 22, to many outdoor enthusiasts’ and athletes’ reliefs. This meant that citizens could again enjoy the outdoors with more frequency, while observing social distancing etiquette. Even though […]

read more

April 16, 2020

Changing Roles to Help Others

By Eliza Parker I’m an Athletic Trainer though Mission, but I’m contracted to the University of North Carolina Asheville. Upon all this happening and the kids being told they’re not returning to the campus, they have found other uses for us athletic trainers being screeners or personal protective equipment runners. I chose to do the […]

read more

March 2, 2020

Game Changer: High School Team Athletic Trainer Aids Heart Attack Victim during Football Game

By Cherry Odom, BSN, RN-BC “My symptoms started during the second quarter of the ball game,” said Tommy Gassaway, a baseball coach at Asheville Middle School. He was working his seasonal job as the clock operator at a junior varsity football game at Asheville High School, when he had shoulder pain and felt like he […]

read more

January 14, 2020

Staying Safe on the Slopes: Tips for Skiing and Snowboarding

By Trisha McBride Ferguson For skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts, winter sports make the months of colder temperatures more bearable. Speeding down the slopes brings a rush of adrenaline, a feeling of freedom — and all too often, injuries. Here’s what you need to know to stay safe on the slopes this season. Know the Risks […]

read more

December 19, 2019

Ask the Doctor: Robotic Surgery with Joseph Buell, MD

Joseph Buell, MD, a General Surgeon with Mission Surgery, answers some questions about robotic surgery. Q: What benefits does robotic surgery offer surgeons and doctors? A: Robotic-surgery technology enables surgeons to perform complex surgical procedures with enhanced vision, precision, dexterity and control. Therefore, patients recover quicker and have lower rates of infection. Q: What kinds […]

read more

October 7, 2019

In the Red Zone: Swelling and Heat Are the First Signs of Overuse Injuries

“No pain, no gain” is a common mantra among dedicated athletes. Sometimes it’s best to give it a rest. Building muscles or bones starts by stressing these tissues first. “With time to heal, muscles and bones rebuild themselves stronger and better than before. That’s how the body works,” said Elise Hiza, MD, orthopedic surgeon at […]

read more

August 29, 2019

Pedaling On: Robotic Precision Gets Longtime Biker Back into the Race after Two Knee Surgeries

By Cherry Odom, BSN, RN-BC Seasoned triathlete and retired Mars Hill University sociology professor Tom Plaut knew nine years ago that the pain in his left knee meant his many years of running, biking and swimming had taken a toll on his body. “The wear and tear on my knee resulted in bone landing on […]

read more

August 8, 2019

Feet First: 4 Things to Consider before Choosing Running Shoes

Whether you’re training for your first 5K or already have several under your belt, the proper shoes and training techniques can mean the difference between pain and gain. Thomas Starnes, MD, a runner himself and a primary care sports medicine physician at Asheville Orthopaedic Associates, explains how to kick-start your running habit with the right […]

read more