Sports Medicine

Certified athletic trainers are an integral part of the Mercy Sports Medicine team, which has been serving the region’s high schools for nearly a decade. Their primary goal is injury prevention, but as allied health care professionals they also are uniquely skilled to provide event coverage and respond to, assess, and treat any injuries that occur during athletic events, including concussions. 

Utilizing the Sway system to measure various health metrics, schools and leagues that work with Mercy Sports Medicine have access to the same tools used by professional and collegiate sports programs. Mercy’s athletic trainers can also coordinate care if a higher level of diagnostic testing or medical intervention is needed.

We offer:

• On-site baseline and post-injury concussion testing
• On-site coverage of games, events, tournaments, and practices
• On-site event or clinic-based injury assessment and diagnosis
• On-site treatment
• Care coordination

Mercy Sports Medicine offers a comprehensive approach to concussion care, encompassing prevention, diagnosis, and rehabilitation. We begin with proactive concussion education programs designed to inform athletes, coaches, parents, and administrators about the signs, symptoms, and risks associated with concussions. This education extends beyond simply identifying a head injury; it emphasizes the importance of immediate removal from play, proper reporting procedures, and the long-term implications of untreated concussions.

Furthermore, we use state-of-the-art pre-participation baseline neurocognitive testing. This crucial step establishes a personalized baseline for each athlete, providing a valuable comparison point should a concussion occur. Our advanced testing protocols go beyond simple symptom checklists, employing sophisticated tools to assess cognitive function, memory, reaction time, and balance. This detailed baseline allows for a more accurate and timely diagnosis following a suspected concussion.

After a concussion, our specialized team of concussion providers, each of whom has received advanced training in the latest evidence-based practices, will conduct a thorough evaluation. This could include a detailed neurological exam, neurocognitive testing, and balance assessments. Based on these findings, a personalized post-concussion rehabilitation plan will be developed. The plan could incorporate physical therapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive rehabilitation to address the athlete's specific needs and facilitate a safe and effective return to play.  

Our commitment extends beyond immediate recovery. We provide ongoing monitoring and support to ensure the athlete's complete healing and long-term well-being. Mercy Hospital's specialized equipment and experienced providers are dedicated to providing the highest quality concussion care, ensuring athletes can return to their activities safely and confidently.

We provide:

• Concussion education for athletes, coaches and parents
• Baseline and post-injury neurocognitive testing (Sway)
• On-site concussion assessment
• Care coordination with patient’s primary care provider or on-staff concussion specialist 
• Supervision of post-concussion return to activity
• Neurological care for severe concussions

Mercy Sports Medicine instructors offer a variety of programs to reduce the risk of injury, enhance performance, and promote overall wellness. From one-on-one fitness coaching, to fun and supportive group classes, we have something for everyone.

Injury Prevention:

• Team and athlete education
• Physical deficiency testing (strength, balance, flexibility, mobility)
• Range of motion and gait analysis
• Sportsmetrics ACL baseline testing and injury prevention program
• Individual or team-based pre-season conditioning programs
• Sport-specific injury prevention warm-up programming

Pre-participation Screenings

For our patients needing sports physicals, we can connect you with a primary care provider near you.

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Specialists

The fellowship-trained sports medicine physicians at Mercy Orthopedic Associates have worked as official team physicians for some of Colorado’s top professional teams and can often be spotted on the sidelines at sport events of all kinds throughout Southwest Colorado. Having treated thousands of sports injuries, our providers are as capable and comfortable working with professional athletes as they are with Little Leaguers and folks who consider themselves to be ordinary active people. 

Mercy Orthopedic Associates providers also include fellowship-trained surgeons with sub-specialty expertise in treating injuries of the foot and ankle. We also work closely with fellowship-trained spine surgeons who are part of Mercy Hospital’s Spine Center of Excellence.

Rehabilitating athletes after injury is a major component of Mercy Sports Medicine. The physical therapists at Mercy Integrated Physical Therapy are athletes who collectively have decades of experience and have cared for thousands of injured athletes. They know what it’s like to be an athlete and to be sidelined, and their goal is to return athletes to their sports and activities as quickly as medically appropriate. Mercy Sports Medicine integrates physical therapists with athletic trainers to provide athletes and active patients a seamless transition from rehab to full function.

The Mercy Sports Medicine facility features some of the best therapeutic equipment and systems, including the state-of-the-art AlterG “anti-gravity” treadmill, GameReady cryotherapy, Normatec pneumatic recovery, and evidence-based, manual therapy treatments.

• Kinesio taping
• Physical therapy
• Trigger point dry needling

Fort Lewis College has committed to advancing its sports medicine, wellness, and performance facilities with the support of CommonSpirit Mercy Hospital and Athletic Director Travis Whipple. In early 2023, CommonSpirit, the Official Sports Medicine Partner of Fort Lewis College Athletics, committed $4 million to renovate the existing Aquatics Center, transforming it into the state-of-the-art CommonSpirit Sports Performance Center. This 10,000-square-foot facility will offer cutting-edge performance, rehabilitation, nutrition, and wellness programs; enhance recruiting and retention of top student-athletes in Division II; and help eliminate capacity issues in our current spaces. Fort Lewis College also just completed its renovation of the Athletic Training Room.
 
With the capacity to hold over 120 student-athletes at one time, the CommonSpirit Sports Performance Center will hold 24 free racks, dumbbells at each station, pneumatic cable machines, cardio equipment, sports science technology, extensive rehab equipment, and even over 2,000 square feet of turf space. Student-athletes will have the opportunity to develop into their highest athletic potential throughout their college careers at Fort Lewis College. The facility is set to open during the spring semester of 2025. 

Mercy Sports Medicine is actively involved with various organizations in the area! These partnerships help to support local sports, promote health and wellness, and provide educational resources.

We’re proud to partner with:

• Gray Matters 
• Pedal Durango 
• Durango Devo 
• Durango Trails 
• Rio Rapids