Teamwork was an important factor in Hereford High School's 2A State Football Championship this season. But teamwork of another sort helped Hereford's offensive lineman Jarren Matthews to not only play through a severe knee injury but cap off his senior year with the biggest win of all.

Jarren's injury may have been career threatening had it not been for the care he received immediately after it occurred. Towson Sports Medicine's Karen Kinsey, PT, ATC and Steve Kinsey, ATC, formerly of Towson Sports Medicine, are on the sidelines of every Hereford High School home football game. "If a certified athletic trainer (ATC) had not been on the sidelines during the game the injury would have been much worse," said Karen Kinsey, ATC. "We were able to initiate treatment immediately in order to minimize swelling and prevent further injury. Jarren's mother was also thankful for their presence. "The fact that there was a professional athletic trainer there made a big difference," explained Gail Matthews.

Dr. Frank Catanzariti, orthopaedic surgeon at Orthopaedic Associates, confirmed that Jarren had suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and meniscus tear. While Jarren ultimately faced surgery, Dr. Catanzariti explained Jarren could finish the season under the watchful eye of his athletic trainers, Karen and Steve Kinsey.

Intense rehabilitation, taping, a knee brace and as Karen explained "Jarren's incredible determination" not only allowed him to fulfill his first goal of finishing the season, but his ultimate goal of winning the state 2A Football Championship.

Following the state championship Jarren wasted little time. He underwent successful ACL reconstruction surgery by Dr. Catanzariti and breezed through his rehabilitation. His sights are now set on playing football in the fall at Salisbury University. If his past accomplishments are any indication, he should have no trouble achieving this or any other goal he sets.

Jarren Matthews (with Karen Kinsey, PT, ATC) approached his ACL rehabilitation with the same "incredible determination" he used to help Hereford High School win the 2A State Championship.

"Jarren's story is an excellent example of the important role certified athletic trainers play in high school athletics and the need to have full time athletic trainers at the high school level. Not only are ATCs working constantly to safely guide the athlete to a safe recovery and return to activity, but they are also important members of the healthcare team, helping communication between the athlete, parents, coaching staff and physicians." John R. Lopez, ATC, Director of Towson Sports Medicine.

Orthopaedic surgery has grown rapidly in recent years, and today it provides medical, surgical, and rehabilitative care to patients with a variety of disabilities. Recent advances have been made in orthopaedic surgery that provide greater treatment options than ever before. The physicians at Orthopaedic Associates take a leading role in the development of many of these surgical advances to offer their patients the best procedures orthopaedics has to offer.

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