Desert Orthopedic Center: Sports Medicine

Specialties: Sports Medicine

Foot & Ankle Care
Hand & Upper Extremity
Joint Replacement
Sports Medicine
Orthopedic Trauma
Pediatric Orthopedics
Physiatry
Spine Surgery
Acupuncture
Outpatient Surgery
Diagnostic Services

Desert Orthopedic Center and Eisenhower Medical Center have combined their resources to form the DOC/EMC Sports Medicine Program. DOC/EMC Sports Medicine is a community and professional service program that combines all aspects of comprehensive sports medicine unmatched by any other institution in the Coachella Valley. The program provides quality, state of the art medical care for athletic injuries, education, and rehabilitation to recreational and professional athletes of all ages. We are proud to serve as team physicians, consultants, athletic trainers, and rehabilitation experts for the following scholastic, professional, and recreational sporting events:

Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
(PGA Golf Tournament)

Cathedral City High School

College of the Desert

Desert Hot Springs High School

Easter Bowl
(USTA Junior Tennis Championships)

Indio High School

Nabisco Championship
(LPGA Golf Tournament)

Pacific Life Open of Indian Wells (ATP/WTA Tennis Tournament)

Palm Desert High School

Palm Springs High School

Desert Chapter of the Southern California PGA

USTA National Junior Tennis League of the Coachella Valley

Big League Dreams Softball Park

Our community outreach programs focus on the prevention of athletic injuries. In addition to pre-participation screening exams at area high schools, we conduct athletic performance testing at various schools. The National Athletic Testing Program (NATP) consists of functional testing and evaluation of athletic performance through a set of nationally standardized functional tests. These tests (similar to those used in NCAA Collegiate and Professional Institutions) include an electronically timed ten-yard dash, electronically timed pro-agility drill (shuttle run), vertical jump test, and a seated shot put. Additional measurements can be taken for flexibility, height, weight, % body fat and the 40-yard dash. These measurements are gathered and compared at the data processing center in Omaha Nebraska. This data is then compared against national averages and norms and results are mailed to the athlete. Special reports are generated for their coaches illustrating the strengths and weaknesses of their athletes. This gives the coaches and athletes a guide for areas to improve and ultimately reduce the amount of injuries.

Another key component of the program is our team of physical therapists, several of whom are CSCS certified (Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists). They not only rehabilitate injured athletes in the therapy clinic but also are available for consulting and educational outreach to the community.

Certified Athletic Trainers: The DOC/EMC Sports Medicine program employs three (3) full time certified athletic trainers (ATC). These athletic trainers work within the physical therapy department in the mornings and serve as the head athletic trainers for three area high schools (Through a contract with the Palm Springs Unified School District). ATCs specialize in five areas; prevention of athletic injuries, recognition, evaluation and immediate car of athletic injuries, rehabilitation and reconditioning of athletic injuries, health care administration, and professional development. These athletic trainers are certified through the National Athletic Trainers’ Association Board of Certification, Inc. (NATABOC). Certification requirements include a Bachelors Degree through an accredited program and successful completion of a national three-part certification examination. Continuing education is a continuous required for ATCs. In 1990, the American Medical Association recognized athletic training as an allied health care profession, and in 1998, the AMA voted unanimously to recommend certified athletic trainers in all high schools.

Program Medical Director: Sam Reber, MD