The stadium is packed, fall is here, it’s time for high school football on Friday nights! Fans gather in the stands cheering on their favorite teams. Amid the lights and action, the quarterback launches a long pass to the end zone. As the receiver jumps for the catch, a much taller, larger opponent knocks him off his feet. The cheering stops, and people try to get a better look at the injured athlete. What happens now?

ASSESSING THE NEED
After moving back to the Statesville area, Christa Roseberry, physical therapist, strength and conditioning therapist and certified athletic trainer, recognized the need for more sports medicine care for local high school sports. After speaking with Carl Dunkin, director of rehab services for Iredell Health System, and gaining the hospital’s support, they knew a partnership with local high schools would be a good move.

Iredell Health System’s Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine programs partnered with high schools to provide athletic training services four years ago. The program started at South Iredell High School and is now also offered at West Iredell High School. As Iredell Health System employees, Roseberry works with West’s football program and Stacy Bess, athletic trainer, works with South. The two hope to expand the program to other high schools next year. “As our service is seen throughout the community, it’s now recognized as a benefit to football programs, and other schools want us to come to their school,” Roseberry said. “It’s not just a precaution, it’s a need.”

North Carolina has mandated that first responders (EMT or athletic trainer) be present at all high school football games and practices. By having a certified athletic trainer with a four-year degree in sports medicine on the sidelines instead, our athletes are very well served, and our county’s EMTs are available for other emergencies.

CLOSE BY CARE
With increasing awareness of concussions and the potential for serious injuries, having athletic trainers at all football practices and games puts the coaches, players and parents more at ease. “A key focus is on prevention,” Roseberry said. “We’re educating parents and athletes about preventing injuries before they happen. Athletes, parents and coaches work on this together, and we’re making good progress.”
In addition to prevention, Roseberry and Bess educate players and coaches on nutrition, hydration, strength training, injury management, triage and rehabilitation. “I think it’s really important to have an athletic trainer on the sidelines,” Bess said. “We assess emergencies and determine whether an injury is just a bruise or if the player should go to the emergency room. At South, we’re fortunate to have Dr. Scott Brandon on hand, as well, helping provide the care players need even quicker.”

With the variety of needs on the football team, athletic trainers never know what type of injury to expect. “Every day is different,” Bess said. “Some days, I’m a counselor, friend or medical staff. I’ll look at poison ivy or a serious concussion. We’re there to build relationships with the athletes and offer support.”
In addition to attending practices and games, Bess and Roseberry staff a free sports injury clinic on Saturday mornings from 9 to 11. The clinic is held at Iredell Health System’s Rehabilitation Services Department in the medical office building adjacent to Iredell Memorial Hospital. The clinic is open to athletes from local high schools who may be concerned about a game injury or need a medical professional to look at a medical concern.

THANKFUL FOR SERVICE
Coach Scott Miller of South Iredell High School and Coach Mark Weycker of West Iredell High School currently benefit from this partnership and have trainers at their practices and games. “Having Stacy at our games and practices is a great asset to our football program,” Miller said. “She’s done a wonderful job increasing our knowledge of proper nutrition and hydration. It’s a tremendous support and puts my mind at ease knowing our players are cared for by trained medical professionals.”

Coach Weycker agrees and appreciates the partnership. “It’s great that Iredell Memorial Hospital sends us athletic trainers,” Weycker said. “The safety of our athletes is a primary concern.”

SPECIALIZED CARE
In addition to support on the football field, Iredell Health System also offers the medical care of doctors like Dr. Jason Batley. Trained in orthopaedics and sports medicine, Dr. Batley treats many athletic injuries. “We try to work athletes in as quickly as possible when we get a call from one of the trainers,” Dr. Batley said. “We want to support our schools and give students who want to play that opportunity.” Coach Weycker said, “Dr. Batley is great to work with. He sees our athletes as soon as he can.”

Dr. Batley and the athletic trainers comprise a sports medicine team that develops appropriate treatment plans and determines a safe time to return to physical activity. “Many athletes start playing again too quickly,” Roseberry said. “Football is important, but there is life after football, and it’s important to take time to heal.”

In addition to student athletes, Dr. Batley also cares for a large number of weekend warriors–older adults who want to get back to their activities just as fast. “There is a growing segment of the population who want to remain active, and we want to support that goal,” Dr. Batley said. “When seniors suffer injuries, they may not have a simple sprain, they may have a break. Older adults present different challenges. Thinning bones make fracture management more complex, and unrelated medical conditions must be considered as well. We involve many aspects of the hospital system to provide complete care.”

Across all ages and types of care, Dr. Batley says the difference in his practice is that he really talks with people and spends extra time assessing their needs. Instead of quickly ordering an MRI, he sits down with patients to discuss their lifestyle, recovery expectations, motivation levels and long-term goals. “I want my patients to remain as active as possible,” Dr. Batley said. “I work closely with them to put together an action plan to return them to their level of expected activity. Helping a senior get back to normal daily affairs, whether grocery shopping or playing tennis, is just as important as helping an athlete return to their sport.”

MORE ABOUT DR. BATLEY
Dr. Batley completed both his internship and residency at Strong Memorial Hospital, University of Rochester, New York, and is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery. His sports medicine experience includes everything from young athletes to semi-professional teams.

After practicing in Rochester for six years, Dr. Batley began practicing in Gaston County. Three years ago, he opened Iredell Orthopaedic Center at 774 Hartness Road. He appreciates the community feel to Statesville and believes it allows him to offer more quality care. “I have the opportunity here to practice medicine the way I think it should be practiced,” Dr. Batley said. “I don’t simply order tests, but I really get to know my patients and communicate with them thoroughly to determine the best plan of care. This community allows me to do that.”

From high school athletes to bull riders and bikers, Dr. Batley sees injuries from different walks of life. When he’s not seeing patients at his office or performing surgeries, you may find Dr. Batley spending time outdoors with his wife, who is also a physician, and his two children. He enjoys biking, hot air ballooning and baking and decorating cakes.

Iredell Orthopaedic Center
774 Hartness Road
Statesville, NC 28677
704-768-3030
www.iredellmemorial.com