Sports Medicine

Getting You Back In The Game

The Ohio Valley Sports Medicine Program offers a comprehensive approach to the education and treatment of area athletes, from weekend warriors to professional athletes. Our multidisciplinary treatment team of healthcare experts are dedicated to helping clients of all ages perform at their highest level.

Under the leadership of Mike Willets, MS, AT, and Dr. Ian Thompson, Orthopedic Surgeon, our highly qualified staff offers expertise focused on conditioning and sports injuries, including prevention, emergency care, clinical diagnosis, therapeutic intervention and rehabilitation. Mike Willets, Program Director, has 40 years of high school athletic training and leadership experience in the Springfield City Schools, Northwestern Local School District, and Catholic Central High School. Dr. Ian Thompson, Medical Director, was named 2011 Team Physician of the Year by the Ohio Athletic Trainer’s Association.

Working as a team with your primary care physician, our orthopedic physicians partner with radiologists, spine specialists, interventional pain medicine specialists, podiatrists, athletic trainers, imaging professionals, and physical therapists to get you back in the game as quickly and safely as possible.

Sports Medicine Programs We Offer

The Ohio Valley Sports Medicine Program provides a variety of educational programs for athletes, parents of athletes, college and high school students, educators, coaches, and health care providers, including:

• Concussion Management and Ohio’s “Return to Play” Law: The Ohio General Assembly recently passed the “Return to Play Law” designed to protect young athletes from undiagnosed or mishandled concussions. As a community service offered by Ohio Valley, our certified ImPACT Trained Athletic Trainers educate and train athletes, parents, coaches and officials about concussion safety and awareness, as well as the implications of this law.
• Sportsmetrics ACL Injury Prevention: Focusing on middle to high school age students, our certified Sportsmetrics trainers work with young athletes to develop ACL strengthening and injury prevention strategies.
• Shoulder Injury Prevention: The Ohio Valley sports medicine professionals help high school athletes strengthen and prevent common injuries to the shoulder and elbow. This program can be tailored for baseball, softball, tennis, volleyball, or swimming.
• Pupil Activity Program Certification: The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) requires all individuals who supervise, direct or coach a student activity program to have a Pupil Activity Program (PAP) certificate. Ohio Valley’s Sports Medicine professionals offer certification training, including the proper way to assess life-threatening and non-life-threatening injuries, as well as basic injury management and prevention strategies. The course also covers other health and safety topics related to supervising and working with student athletes. The Ohio High School Athletic Association requires this certification for all Ohio coaches.
• CPR Certification: The Sports Medicine professionals at Ohio Valley provide CPR training and certification courses.
• College Preceptorship: The Ohio Valley Sports Medicine department provides college students with internship/externship opportunities.

Our Scope of Sports Medicine Services

Athletic Training: Event Coverage for School Athletics: Ohio Valley Athletic Trainers provide injury prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation for middle school through high school athletes. Special Event Coverage: Sports Medicine services are provided at events such as road races (running), sports tournaments, and league or regional contests. Wrestling Assessment and Weight Management: Our certified assessors assist high school wrestling teams to meet state-mandated weight class compliance.

Walk-in Injury Clinic: All injuries are evaluated and, if needed, referred to other appropriate medical practitioners. Both adults and student athletes are welcome. Please call 937.521.4960. Our Hours are Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. and Saturdays during the fall sports season.

The Armory Sports Performance Enhancement Program: This sports medicine service is designed for individual athletes, groups, or entire teams/clubs. It includes body biometrics and fitness consultations, speed and agility training, a strength and power program, and a runners, bikers and walkers clinic. Bridging the Gap: From Physical Therapy to Full Recovery and Performance

At Ohio Valley Sports Medicine, we offer a particular program to help patients "bridge the gap" between Physical Therapy and recovery/performance. After discharge from physical therapy, some patients may not be 100% ready to return to full function, recreational activities, and sports. Our Bridge Program offers additional strength training, improvement in range of motion, and ongoing guidance for patients who have completed their Physical Therapy. Our goal at Ohio Valley Sports Medicine is to bring patients back to their full strength, a stronger mental state, and overall improved fitness.

Sports Injury Helpline: Please dial 937.521.4960 (Monday through Friday from 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and one of our athletic trainers or physical therapists will discuss your questions and concerns and provide suggestions. After business hours, please leave a message, and we will return your call the next business day.

Partners: We are proud to partner with numerous schools and other organizations in our community, including Catholic Central High School, Cedarville University, Kenton Ridge High School, Northeastern High School, Northwestern High School, Shawnee High School, and Southeastern High School.

In case of emergency, your first call is always 911.