Page 29 - Hoag Orthopedic Institute 2018 Outcomes Report

CHARGERS TEAM PHYSICIANS’ Q & A
David S. Gazzaniga, MD Orthopedic Surgery
You played basketball and football at Foothill High School in Tustin, and football at Dartmouth College in New Hampshire. How have those experiences impacted what you do today?
My first job out of sport medicine fellowship,
I began working with professional athletes. From my experience I found I could relate to and understand many of the issues that they were experiencing. There is a pull between being a team player and taking care of one’s self. This is not easy, particularly when there is a meaningful game or series of games. Ultimately, a team doctor needs to consider the athlete’s health
as the No. 1 priority. An organization like the Chargers is run in such a way that the athlete’s safety will not be compromised. I know there is a substantial amount of pain that comes from playing football at the professional level, and
I am humbled by the players’ ability to compete week after week. Even though they are in peak condition, it still takes a special kind of athlete to recover as they do.
Can you describe the level of commitment
it takes for you as a physician and for HOI
to serve as the Charger’s medical partners? During the season it is a seven-day-a-week job since I have my commitment to the team and also to my practice. It isn’t even remotely possible for me to be able to do it without the training staff for the Chargers headed by Damon Mitchell. He has the unique ability to keep everything together and
moving in the right direction. His staff is the best I have ever worked with in this capacity. Next, there is the commitment from HOI, with the help of the Radiology leadership team. They are available literally 24 hours a day. I have access to any test
I would need, such as asking for an MRI late at night. My efforts would be worthless without this kind of commitment. Finally, it takes the leadership of our office manager and staff to get things done, and it is truly an honor and a pleasure to have such capable doctors to work with side by side to care for the athletes on the team.
Russell S. Petrie, MD Orthopedic Surgery
What are the most common injuries you (expect to) see?
We typically see hamstring and quadriceps muscle strains/tears, ankle sprains and injuries to the feet such as turf toe. Injuries to the knee are quite common including meniscal and ligament injuries. When a player has a potential injury, medical professionals spring into action and really act as team.
The on-field medical team involves a lot of different people, including certified athletic trainers, MDs, transport, X-ray technologists, even EMTs (when necessary). We work in concert to take care of these athletes. A good relationship, cooperation, and communication with the athletic trainers is vital to being successful. Over the course of the past year I have gained tremendous respect for the athletic trainers and my MD colleagues as well. I consider it an honor and privilege to be involved.
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