SLU Faculty Answer Questions on FOX2 Morning Show

Sports Medicine Experts Answer Viewer Questions

(KTVI - FOX2now.com) - Got a pulled hamstring, shin splints or tennis elbow? Whether you're a serious athlete or just exercising at home, injuries can be a problem. But there's help. The professionals from Saint Louis University answered questions about sports injuries Monday morning. 

Tony Breitbach did the webchat and Dr. Mitchell, Dr. Kaar, Chris Sebelski and Mark Reinking answered phones.

 To see the video story click here

To see the chat transcript click here

STLMoms: Could Your Student Athlete be at Risk for a Rare Heart Condition?

MARYLAND HEIGHTS, MO (KTVI-FOX2now.com) - Within the last year, two St. Louis area student athletes have died of a rare heart condition. Each year, around 120 athletes under the age of 35 die from sudden cardiac death. Could your child be at risk? How do parents know what symptoms to look for? SLUCare Sports Medicine Specialist, Dr. Will Mitchell talks about the condition and its warning signs.  He also discusses the importance of having athletic trainers on site to manage the problem.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO

SLU ATEP Hosts Sudden Cardiac Death in Athletics Conference

Sudden Cardiac Death Takes Lives of Young Athletes

SLU Conference to Address Deadly Health Issue

Fueled by the sudden cardiac deaths of two St. Louis-area young athletes last year, Saint Louis University experts are reaching out to educate health care providers, high school administrators and coaches alike about the condition.

A rare but tragic occurrence in young people, sudden cardiac death kills around 120 athletes under the age of 35 each year in the United States. Frequently caused by genetic conditions, such as structural heart defects, sudden cardiac death often occurs during physical activity.

Tackling this serious health risk, Saint Louis University Medical Center is hosting an educational program for health care professionals and high school coaches and administrators on April 23 to learn about screening and potential treatment for sudden cardiac death. The program is designed to help reduce the likelihood of sudden cardiac death for individual patients and within athletic programs.

In screening athletes, doctors look for warning signs in a patients' personal history, including chest pain upon exertion, unexplained fainting, excessive fatigue associated with exercise, heart murmur and high blood pressure.

Because of the strong genetic link, doctors also are on the lookout for a family history that includes relatives who died of heart disease before the age of 50, close relatives under age 50 with disability from heart disease and specific knowledge of certain cardiac conditions in family members.

"I recommend a physical examination and a complete medical history, including family history, as the first step in screening," said Will Mitchell, M.D., sports medicine specialist in the department of family medicine and assistant team physician for the SLU Billikens. "I may recommend further examination based on the results of those initial steps."

Beyond screening, having an emergency action plan and a qualified individual who is able to use an AED (automated external defibrillator), a device that administers electric shocks to the heart, is important preparation for an athletic program.

"The first step is to provide an accurate medical history to your health care provider," said Kitty Newsham, Ph.D., assistant professor of athletic training education at Saint Louis University. "The second part of the equation is to ensure that a qualified health care provider is available at every athletic event, including practices. Having a certified athletic trainer who is trained in emergency care, including using AED, can save lives."

SLU is at the forefront of education on medical issues that affect the health of athletes. For more information about "An Inter-Disciplinary Approach to Sudden Cardiac Death in Young Athletes," sponsored by Saint Louis University, SLUCare, Saint Louis University Hospital, and the Physician Assistant Foundation, on April 23, call 314-977-8561.

Established in 1836, Saint Louis University School of Medicine has the distinction of awarding the first medical degree west of the Mississippi River. The school educates physicians and biomedical scientists, conducts medical research, and provides health care on a local, national and international level. Research at the school seeks new cures and treatments in five key areas: cancer, liver disease, heart/lung disease, aging and brain disease, and infectious disease.

AT Student Featured in "Day in the Life" on SLU Newslink

April 07, 2010

Carrie Bebermeyer

314.977.8015
bebermcl@slu.edu

March Madness is Over But Memories Remain

A Day in the Life of an Athletic Training Education Student

Recently, on March 28,  SLU athletic training education students worked at the NCAA Midwest Regional, assisting SLUCare doctors and athletic trainers who were on hand to provide health care to players and officials at the games. It was the culmination of a busy month, as SLU faculty and students helped provide care for three basketball tournaments in addition to their regular duties at SLU and promoted the profession across campus and at their clinical practicum sites for National Athletic Training Month.

Kelly Black practices in class. Photo by Chad Williams

Kellie Black, who will graduate in May with a master's degree in athletic training, writes about one of her most memorable days as an athletic training education student:

Arriving at the Dome
When I arrived at the Edward Jones Dome security was tight. I showed my photo ID at the media entrance, and then Tony Breitbach, director of the athletic training education program, picked me up on a gator. I hopped on next to an injured player from Michigan State, who I recognized from TV, who said hi.
After taking the player to his team, we went on to the athletic training room where we made sure everything was set up. Next, it was time to get the officials ready, with taping treatments before the game started.


Working the Game
During the game, I sat with SLUCare sports medicine docs, Scott Kaar and Will Mitchell, and dentist Paul Nativi, along with Mark Reinking, who is dual credentialed both as an athletic trainer and a physical therapist and is chair of SLU's department of physical therapy and athletic training. One of the great things about our program is the chance to work side-by-side with so many of SLU's professionals in the field.

Faculty and students at the NCAA Midwest Regional.

As a part of our first response plan, I was charged with the glamorous job of cleaning blood off the floor, if needed. There wasn't any blood during this game, but we had gloves, towels, disinfectant on hand just in case. At half-time, surprisingly, it's already time to start taking everything down so we headed to the locker rooms to take down some of the equipment, like the stationary bikes players use to warm up. It was a good game, with no injuries, and, the best part was watching it from courtside seats.


Impressions
It was definitely bigger than an every day game, with the crowd and cameras. But I did realize, when it comes to working with injured players, it's the same job no matter how big the game. Though I might get butterflies before a big game, I know how to do this job!


I will admit, though, that it was pretty exciting to be at the game. My parents saw me on TV and I bumped into Magic Johnson in the hallway on his way to visit Michigan State players in their locker room.


The Future
I'm graduating in May with my masters. Thanks to connections I've made from working events throughout my time at SLU, I know about some job openings around the country.

Instructor Jason Bennett teaches an assessment test.

I played soccer, volleyball and basketball in high school. I was an exercise science major at SLU, and I knew I liked sports and I wanted to work in health care. I met Tony, worked a few events and really I liked the fast paced, unique setting. I fell in love with athletic training. I'd tell other students - undergrads or students thinking about an advanced degree - that it's a great field to be in.

Graduates find jobs, not only with school and professional sports teams, but also in places like the military and performing arts.
It's always busy, it's different every day and nothing is ever the same. It's a really cool way to earn a living.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics lists athletic training among the top 10 jobs expected to grow over the next 10 years. SLU has one of only 20 entry-level masters programs in athletic training education in the country.

SLU ATEP and SLUCare Physicians Team Up to Cover the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournaments

The faculty and students of the SLU Athletic Training Education Program, for the straight third year, covered the Missouri Valley Conference Basketball Tournaments March 4-7 at the Scottrade Center and March 11-14 at the Family Arena in St. Charles.  This year we were joined by a team of SLUCare physicians, coordinated by Dr. Scott Kaar and Dr. Will Mitchell.

SLU ATEP faculty member Jason Bennett PT, ATC courtside at the MVC Men's Basketball Tournament at the Scottrade Center.

AT Students Samatha Peltzer, Kellie Black and JJ Hannigan.

Dr. Scott Kaar getting a photo with a snarling Wichita State Shocker at the MVC Women's Tournament in at the Family Arena.