Athletic Training

Columbus Ortho’s Sports Medicine Outreach Program partners with local universities, colleges, and schools to provide Sports Medicine Team Doctors and/or Certified Athletic Trainers for practices, home and away games, and other sporting events throughout the year. 

What is a Certified Athletic Trainer? 

A Certified Athletic Trainer (AT) specializes in preventing, diagnosing, and treating sports injuries. Before practices and games, you will see athletes getting their ankles taped or stretching key muscle groups with a Certified Athletic Trainer.

When an athlete goes down during a game with a concussion or another injury, the first person you usually see running onto the field is the Certified Athletic Trainer.  The trainer can quickly assess the athlete, provide emergency care/first aid, and determine the extent of the injury or condition. The AT will determine whether the athlete is safe to come off the field on their own, with assistance, or in a cart. On the sidelines, the AT will conduct further evaluation to determine whether it is safe for the athlete to return to the game or if additional evaluation by a Sports Medicine Physician or Orthopaedic Surgeon is required.  

Many mild injuries are treated in the training room by the AT with ice or heat therapy, electrical muscle stimulation (ESTIM), Kinesio Taping, or exercises to strengthen or mobilize the injured area. After major injuries or surgery, the AT will work with the athlete’s doctor and therapist to help them return to their sport.