Marshfield Clinic Sports Medicine On Hand for 6th Year at American Birkebeiner
Wednesday, February 17th, 2016 -- 8:14 AM
-Marshfield Clinic Sports Medicine will be on hand for the sixth consecutive year to keep racers safe at the American Birkebeiner, where Clinic providers have treated hundreds of skiers for everything from scratched corneas to broken bones.This year the Clinic team, led by sports medicine physician Adam Atkins, will be on hand for arguably the most legendary cross-country ski race in the U.S. Feb. 20. The four-day event runs from Feb. 18-21. Last year, the Clinic's team of about 20 health care professionals treated about 50 athletes, mostly for problems related to the very cold conditions, Atkins said. Dehydration also was an issue for several athletes, as was low body temperatures due to staying in wet race clothing too long.
Marshfield Clinic's team includes physicians, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists and medical assistants, all of whom are well prepared for anything the conditions throw their way. The Clinic's team knows it has to expect the unexpected. Five years ago, doctors treated about 250 people, many for frostbite, during one of the coldest races in Birkie history.
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