Major League Soccer club St. Louis City Soccer Club selected providers from Washington University Orthopedics as its official team physicians.
Robert Brophy, MD, chief of sports medicine and a professor of orthopedic surgery at Washington University School of Medicine, has been appointed medical director and head orthopedic surgeon for St. Louis City SC. Dr. Brophy, a shoulder and knee specialist, is vice chair of the NFL Musculoskeletal Committee, which focuses on musculoskeletal issues relevant to the health and safety of NFL players.
WashU Orthopedics, which has more than 80 orthopedic specialists, will work with the club's trainers to prevent injuries and keep athletes in peak form. The physicians also will be pitch-side at home games to provide on-site care and triage for injuries.
"We have some of the nation's very best orthopedic surgeons and physicians. In collaboration with other specialists at Washington University, we will work to protect the health of these outstanding athletes," Regis O’Keefe, MD, PhD, head of WashU Orthopedics said in a Sept. 15 news release. "In addition, we are thrilled to partner with the soccer club on community health projects that will make a difference throughout the region."
As part of the relationship, the MLS club's training facility will be named the Washington University Orthopedics High Performance Center.
St. Louis City Soccer Club, WashU Orthopedics and BJC HealthCare, the team's medical provider, will collaborate on community health events that include health and wellness classes, nutrition education and volunteer programs.