Head, Shoulder, Knees, and Toes … We’ve Got You Covered!
Rebecca Lucas, LAT, ATC, OTC
Raleigh Orthopaedic Athletic Trainer
Head, shoulders, knees and toes, knees and toes…..Now that childhood tune may be stuck in your head for a few days, and hopefully it will help you remember where to turn to address your Orthopaedic needs. Here at Raleigh Orthopaedic we have you covered from head to toe. Now as an Orthopaedic facility we certainly can’t address all your “head problems” but more specifically, can help with diagnosing and treating concussions and the necessary follow up management.
Concussions can be very complicated and proper post-concussion management is crucial to avoid further risks and complications, which is especially true for adolescents involved in sports. That is why the Gfeller-Waller Concussion Awareness Act was implemented in North Carolina and was signed into law on June 16, 2011. The three areas of focus are: education, emergency action planning and post-concussion protocol implementation, which includes clearance/return to play protocol. Raleigh Orthopaedic has two physicians on staff that specializes in concussions and sports medicine. Those physicians will be the point of contact for diagnosing and then releasing back to full activity after a concussion. In between those two visits there may be a need to work with one of our physical therapists for associated neck pain or for vestibular therapy (for dizziness, balance issues, vertigo, etc). Or once cleared for return to play, you could work with one of our athletic trainers to oversee the state mandated return-to-play protocol. We also offer Impact testing, a baseline testing procedure that helps in the management of a concussion after one has occurred.
Now as for your shoulders and knees, there are eleven Orthopaedic surgeons on staff to address whatever ailments might arise from a rotator cuff tendonitis or “runner’s knee” (a catch all term for various overuse problems of the knee) to severe arthritis requiring a total joint replacement. Raleigh Orthopaedic also has a podiatrist as well as two foot and ankle Orthopaedic surgeons on staff to address the foot concerns. Depending on the specific diagnosis, physical therapy is often required to achieve a full recovery and there are 25 physical therapists on staff, at 6 PT locations to help meet those needs.
In addition to treatment of pain and injuries after they occur, Raleigh Orthopaedic wants to help prevent these issues from ever happening! There are a variety of ways this can be accomplished. One way is through the CORE program (Center for Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and Exercise), which offers balance classes, tai chi classes, one-on-one training, and educational seminars. Our performance locations in Raleigh and Cary offer Comprehensive Performance Evaluations and one-on-one sports performance training focused on injury prevention and achieving your athletic goals. We also offer nutrition services and corporate wellness services. So whatever your stage in life or your goals, we hope we can help you meet them.
Oh and don’t worry your spine, hips, elbows, wrists and hands, those are covered here too!
Rebecca Lucas, LAT, ATC, OTC
Rebecca received her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from High Point University in 2011. After graduation, she completed an Athletic Training Residency with the Orthopaedic Surgery and Sports Medicine Teaching and Research Foundation in Illinois. After the residency program, she worked on staff with one of the sports medicine surgeons at Hinsdale Orthopaedic as a clinical and surgical assistant. She has been working with Raleigh Orthopaedic Performance Center since December 2013.
