From Injury to Recovery: UREC Sports Injury Clinic Sees Success Since Opening its Doors

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Senior Alex Rees has been playing rugby for seven years. Rees suffered a fractured foot in April 2017 while playing on the University of Arkansas Men's Rugby Club. His injury nagged him for over a year when a teammate recommended he  go to the UREC Sports Injury Clinic for help.  There he met Avery Rotenberry, who is a certified athletic trainer and a graduate assistant for University Recreation. Rotenberry was able to help Rees through his recovery with rehabilitation exercises and treatments.  Since that time, Rees has suffered several other musculoskeletal injuries while playing rugby and has regularly worked with Rotenberry in the UREC Sports Injury Clinic to recover. 

University Recreation founded the UREC Sports Injury Clinic in 2017 to increase the standard of care for UREC members and participants.  At the sports injury clinic UREC members can be seen and treated by a licensed and certified athletic trainer free of charge.  Athletic training encompasses prevention, examination, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of emergent, acute and chronic injuries and medical conditions. Athletic trainers are highly qualified, multi-skilled health care professionals who collaborate with physicians to provide these treatments.

"We see all kinds of injuries come through the clinic, but the most common are back pain, ligaments, and sprains," said Rotenberry. "Our treatments range from the basic sprained ankle rehab all the way to soft tissue mobilization and even fascial cupping therapy." Once evaluated, injury referrals are provided to local orthopedic clinics as needed.  Injuries resulting in surgery can receive further post-op therapy through UREC as well.

UREC member, Kalindi Cordero, used the UREC Sports Injury Clinic for post-surgery rehabilitation.  Cordero was an active runner and cyclist before she suffered a torn meniscus and a partial tear to her MCL in December 2018.  She underwent a meniscus surgery in early January 2019 and chose to complete her rehabilitation at the UREC Sports Injury Clinic.

 "It took a huge burden off my shoulders trying to figure out where I could do therapy," said Cordero. "I highly recommend this to anyone with an injury." 

Cordero praised the flexible schedule and variety in exercises as keys to her successful recovery.  Cordero is planning a non-profit 1700-mile bike ride this summer and credits the UREC Sports Injury Clinic for giving her the confidence in her physical abilities. 

Rotenberry has been a certified athletic trainer for three years. "I really enjoy the entire athletic training process," said Rotenberry. "Especially for the cases that require more than one visit, I am able to form relationships with the patients and see them progress through their recovery which is the biggest reward working in this field."

The UREC Sports Injury Clinic has seen 1,184 patients since opening its doors. The clinic is open to all UREC members free of charge. Walk in hours are from 4-7 p.m. Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday in HPER 320. More information on the UREC Sports Injury Clinic, and other UREC offerings can be found on online at urec.uark.edu.