Athletic Trainers

Orthopaedic Center of Southern Illinois brings together a unique team of athletic trainers, physicians, and physical therapists to provide the best possible medical care for athletic injuries and illnesses. 

Athletic training is practiced by athletic trainers, health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to optimize activity and participation of patients and clients. Athletic training encompasses the prevention, diagnosis, and intervention of emergency, acute, and chronic medical conditions involving impairment, functional limitations, and disabilities.

Students who want to become certified athletic trainers must earn a degree from an accredited athletic training curriculum. Accredited programs include formal instruction in areas such as injury/illness prevention, first aid and emergency care, assessment of injury/illness, human anatomy and physiology, therapeutic modalities, and nutrition. Classroom learning is enhanced through clinical education experiences. More than 70 percent of certified athletic trainers belong to nata.org and hold at least a master's degree.

Here's just a sample of surgical procedures performed after having a sports injury:

• Rotator cuff repair, anterior cruciate ligament repair, shoulder and knee arthroscopy, leg and ankle surgery, knee surgery, upper extremity injuries, hip arthroscopy, elbow arthroscopy and ligament surgery, shoulder stability surgery