By Robert Molloy, M.D.
Cleveland Clinic sports medicine physicians and a national expert panel have developed a first-of-its-kind Sideline Guidelines app designed to help sports medical professionals accurately address athletic injuries on the sidelines and in the training room, as well as the office. This app is available and free from the Apple store now (we hope to convert to Android format within the coming year). The comprehensive resource is currently formatted for the iPhone, and its intended for use by medical professionals treating injured athletes – including sports medicine fellows, residents, physicians, athletic trainers, physical therapists and mid-level providers.
Sports injuries are quite common in high school and college sports. In the United States, there are an estimated 7.8 million high school athletes, and nearly 500,000 college athletes. There are more than 36,000 high schools in the U.S. that are cared for by physicians and athletic trainers of all levels of experience and training. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, high school athletes account for an estimated 2 million injuries, 500,000 doctor visits and 30,000 hospitalizations each year. 