Seton launches sports medicine training

AUSTIN (KXAN) - As many as 160,000 students play high school football in Texas, and half of them will be injured this season, according to physicians.

Sports medicine is a growing business, and the Seton Healthcare Family is launching a new training program.

The program includes a resident doctor who attends high school football games alongside an orthopedic surgeon. The idea is to study injuries the moment they occur.

Knees and ankles are the most common injuries in high school football, but concussions are becoming more common as the players get bigger and faster.

"Physical medicine and rehabilitation cover a lot of ground," said Dr. Chris Garrison, director of Seton's residency program. "Sports is an element of that. I like to put residents on the field with sports medicine doctors to give them the benefit of that education."

Resident Dr. Mackenzie Brown is attending Friday's Leander vs. Cedar Park game.

"Getting this experience makes it a safer environment in the future, this extra knowledge makes it safer for the kids involved," Brown said.

"You don't want to see somebody injured but there's benefit to actually getting hands on evaluations when someone is injured," Garrison said, expressing his mixed feelings.

Brown wanted to go into sports medicine since high school.

"I did sports myself in school and I've had injuries requiring orthopedic surgery," she said. "I had to go through rehab so I've learned from the experience."

A medical professional attends every game, often a family doctor who is a friend to the team.

This new program is a win-win, experience for young doctors and extra medical personnel on hand for the players, just in case.