KOC values community involvement and has a long tradition of supporting student athletes. In 2003, KOC formalized that commitment by investing in a program that provides area high schools with full-time athletic trainers. This Sports Medicine Outreach program allows coaches and students the benefit of having a certified athletic trainer available at the school, at practices, and on the sidelines of games. Through this partnership, KOC has become an integral part of the team and culture of each of the participating schools.
The athletic trainers in the schools work very closely with the physicians at KOC as well as the physical therapists at OrthoTennessee Therapy. With a rehabilitation facility located in the same building as the KOC physician offices, OrthoTennessee Therapy provides convenient, patient-friendly services for injured athletes. This convenience, paired with the established relationships and the collaborative effort among the student athlete, parents, athletic trainer, physician, therapist and coach, serves to help each athlete get back in the game as soon and as safely as possible.
KOC can supply certified athletic trainers (ATC) for medical coverage for sporting events outside of Knox County School (KCS) athletics. Please click below to request ATC medical coverage. Coverage Request Form
A concussion is a type of brain injury typically caused by a bump to the head, or by a hit to the body that causes the head and brain to be jolted. When this happens, tissues change shape, which can damage or stretch the brain cells and cause chemical and metabolic changes within the brain cells. This can make it difficult for brain cells to function and communicate properly.
Concussions and Sports
One of the most common ways children and adolescents get concussions is through sports injuries. Young athletes' brains are still developing, thus they may be at higher risk for the effects of a concussion. The way in which the injury happens may be very important in predicting how serious the injury will be. Although concussions are not usually life-threatening, they should be taken seriously and reported immediately to a medical professional.
Signs and Symptoms
Symptoms may include headache, confusion, lack of coordination, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, ringing in the ears, sleepiness, and excessive fatigue.
KOC CONCUSSION CARE TEAM
Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic's staff of certified athletic trainers are often the first healthcare providers to identify and evaluate those with a possible concussion. KOC provides these licensed medical professionals to area high schools to help keep student athletes safe and healthy. This Sports Medicine Outreach program allows coaches and players the benefit of having a valuable part of the KOC Concussion Care Team available during school, at practices, and on the sidelines of the games.
Athletic trainers work very closely with KOC's sports medicine physicians. Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic has two ImPACT certified concussion care providers, Dr. Joshua Johnson and Dr. Amber Luhn. ImPACT (Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing) is a neurocognitive assessment administered online in a controlled environment. ImPACT has two components, baseline testing and post-injury testing, which are used in conjunction to determine if a patient can safely return to an activity.
Physical therapists are another important part of KOC's Concussion Care Team. With a rehabilitation facility located in the same building as most KOC physician offices, OrthoTennessee Therapy provides convenient, patient-friendly services for injured athletes. Sports-related concussion injuries respond to physical therapy in the same way as other sports-related injuries. OrthoTennessee Therapy's concussion program helps get players back in the game.
Please contact our director of Sports Medicine Outreach at 865-558-4438.
Yes, through Knoxville Orthopaedic Clinic (KOC), OrthoTennessee can supply certified athletic trainers (ATC) for medical coverage for sporting events outside of Knox County School (KCS) athletics. KOC has the right to refuse coverage of any event which conflicts with the ATCs normal job responsibilities. Any event that is not included in the ATC job description will be charged a fee and must be approved by KOC’s Director of Sports Medicine Outreach and a supervising KOC physician. This includes, but is not limited to, KCS off-season sport camps as well as off-site, for-profit tournaments.
Please click here to request ATC medical coverage through KOC.
For existing or chronic injuries, please make an appointment with a physician. If you have a new injury, visit one of our walk-in injury clinics.
If you have a head wound or life-threatening injury, please call 911 or proceed to the nearest emergency room.
