Super Bowl LIV: Dolphins Team Physicians to Assist Staff for Chiefs, 49ers

When Super Bowl LIV gets underway this Sunday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, physicians with Miami Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Institute will be assisting trainers and doctors with both teams, the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers.

                                                                                        From left to right: Drs. Gautam Yagnik, John Uribe, and Michael Swartzon.

John Uribe, M.D., chief medical executive at the Institute, and head team physician for the Miami Dolphins, explains why he and fellow orthopedic physicians Michael Swartzon, M.D., and Gautam Yagnik, M.D., are needed for the big game.

“Thevisiting team physicians don’t have a Florida medical license, so they look tous as a courtesy to assist them when they come into town,” says Dr. Uribe.“They would offer the same courtesy if we were the visiting team. Duringthe week that they’re here, they turn to us, as the team physicians of theDolphins, for help with anything they need for medical care (even a referral toa dentist, or whatever it may be). Anything they need imaging related, weaccommodate at one of our Baptist Health locations. It’s a team effort.”

As medicaldirector overseeing the Miami Dolphins, Dr. Uribe’s oversees all physicians andathletic trainers. He coordinates the medical care for all players and coachesin the Miami Dolphins organization – during the season and off-season.

“We attendthe NFL combine to perform physical exams on all draft eligible players. Duringoff season, we do training and emergency action plans,” says Dr. Uribe.

Dr. Uribe answers some questions about football-related injuries.

Question: Research indicates that the mostcommon football injuries are those to the knees, ankles, upper leg, shouldersand head. Do you agree? Any other injuries we should add to this list?

Dr. Uribe: Yes, I agree. I would say that the most common injuries are the following, in this order: 1. Foot & Ankle, 2. Knee, 3. Shoulder, 4. Head. The most common knee injuries in football include those to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and menisci. The ACL is at risk because it’s one of the four main ligaments in the knee and is the primary stabilizer for rotational movement. Players frequently pivot and change direction, and that is when the ACL and/or meniscus comes into play. Tackling, blocking and getting clipped from behind also can result in an ACL tear, as well as the medial or lateral collateral ligament (MCL or LCL).

Question: What are some of the worstfootball-related injuries you’ve seen throughout your career?

Dr. Uribe: Knee dislocations and spine-related injuries are the most severe I’ve seen on the field. Even then, we’ve fixed knee dislocations and the players have gone back to playing at the professional level. Our knowledge and surgical techniques have expanded to where the vast majority of orthopedic injuries are no longer career-ending.

Question: What advice do you share with theMiami Dolphins players to avoid injury?

Dr. Uribe: Be honest with yourself and themedical staff. Injuries have some kind of precursor to them – pain – somethingyou’re trying to work through. Take care of your body. Get plenty of rest, eatwell and fuel your body, and don’t come dehydrated to practice. We emphasizeproper training, technique and warm-up to prevent injury. This includesstretching before, during and after the game. A good program also shouldinclude strength and endurance training to help combat fatigue, whichdiminishes the split-second timing the muscles need to properly react andabsorb shock.

Question: For those NFL teams notparticipating in the Super Bowl, what advice do you have for players in theoff-season to recover from injury and/or to remain healthy?

Dr. Uribe: Maintain healthy habits even duringoff season. Your body needs to train year round. Work life balance is key.Football season is draining, both physically and mentally. It’s important tospend time with family and relax, but also pay close attention and continuefitness levels. Stay active, work on strength training and stretching, andalways perform warm-ups and cool-downs before exercise. There are no shortcutsin sports. Use off season to try to get better in a positive way. Keepdetermination and practice.