Protect3D joins medicine and technology to help Athletes return to the sport safer and maybe faster. Kevin Gehsmann joins me to share their story and how Athletic Trainers can get their athletes braced.
Where did the idea come from?
Engineering student
Liked 3D printing
Daniel Jones, the quarterback at Duke, went down with a clavicle fracture. They decided their engineering project would help Daniel and other elite athletes needing protection.
Customized for his unique needs and ROM
What has been the most difficult hurdle for Protect3d?
In the early days, we were recognized by the NFL and won $50,000 and Superbowl tickets.
The pandemic caused a lot of challenges.
Every device we make has a positive impact on the athlete and their performance
Share a success story you enjoy.
Clavicle pads reduce the risk of re-injury and increase the confidence of the player and health care team.
It is also the original pad or brace that birthed the idea.
Outside of your own clinics where have you had doctors adapting this style of bracing?
We started with elite athletes and have worked with orthopedic surgeons and athletic trainers.
An ankle/foot orthotic is a new brace to help with foot drop.
We had a D1 athlete participate in games with a Protect3D brace for foot drop.
What do you see as a hurdle for secondary setting adoption of Protect3d braces?
The cost of the product is one hurdle.
Setting up a system for billing on demand can be an obstacle as well.
Are these braces something that could be printed on your everyday, at-home printer?
Due to the material, printer, and the need to control different variables as a medical device, they are not currently printed at home devices.
There may be options in the future as we grow and develop.
Want to test out Protect3D?
Have an athlete needing a brace?
Willing to give me your honest feedback on the podcast?
Send me an email and maybe follow it up with a social media post.
Give me the story (protect patient privacy)
If it works out then we will collaborate to get you a custom 3D-printed brace for your athlete.
Work Right Northwest was the best fit for Jody during his current stage of life. He loves the industrial setting and the support the company offers for personal growth.
Jody, Start with your AT story.
From Waco
Was not enjoying playing football and quit to become the student AT for softball.
Chris Hargrove was the AT that me under his wing
Graduated from Baylor as an AT working with some legendary ATs like Mike Simms
Jody moved to Lincoln Nebraska to get a master’s degree and work with their Track & Field teams.
2007-2009 did a fellowship with US Olympic and Paralympic Track and Field.
That led to internships with USA teams.
He has worked with a lot of providers throughout the US and learned different perspectives as well as made a lot of connections.
13-year Outreach Coordinator at BSW
2012 I began the GA partnership with Baylor and grew the program to about 16 schools.
How does WorkRight fit into that?
Auto industry, shipping and delivery, food, manufacturing, and warehouses across the United States.
We focus on being proactive with industrial athletes.
These workers are at the same station doing the same repetitive motions for 8-10 hours per day.
We are limited to OSHA first aid guidelines.
There are plenty of at-home exercise options or opportunities.
Better posture.
Improved hydration.
Early symptom intervention – 15-minute eval on site.
Tell me a few stories
Often times the job is the first time the workers have benefits that include healthcare.
We provide a list of healthcare coverage professionals in the area and establish relationships with them to help facilitate care.
One line worker was having continued upper trap and cervical issues. After a few visits, he was able to work pain-free.
One of our ladies had posture issues and we were basically the only medical option for her.
I have thought about how I could change into the industrial setting. Walk me through the process.
We work 4/10s with someone on duty 24/7
Mon-Friday. *dependent on site*
We do a lot of 3-day weekends.
Vacation time: can accrue up to 2 weeks of vacation time
Holidays: get a lot of major holidays off…but this is site-dependent too.
Dr. Shea Stark works KT Tape into her daily practice of treating patients as a chiropractor. KT Tape recently released the ProOxygen tape and her patients seem to like it.
Christmas Sale
KT will hold its 12 Days of KT in December. On November 30, the 12 Days of KT will be announced; it is a grand prize giveaway where every purchase on-site between Dec 1-Dec 12 equals one entry for the grand prize giveaway. On Monday, December 4, the KT Pro Oxygen Tape Pro Oxygen will be highlighted as a great gift for the endurance dad who shows everyone up at his weekend Ironman events. You can visit https://www.kttape.com/ to enter the 12 Days of KT for the chance to win a Grand Prize Giveaway.
Dr. Stark, what is your favorite use of KT Tape?
Shoulders and knees
KT Tape is a supportive tape and not a structural tape.
It is less of a restrictive tape.
Joint decompression
What is your least favorite?
I do not like to use it around the feet or hands because it does not hold up well.
Taping in a crease can really irritate the skin.
A lot of patients record the taping so they can replicate
Tips and Tricks
Clean the skin with soap and water or hand sanitizer
Make sure the skin is clean and DRY
Do not stretch the ends or anchors
Increases irritation and blisters
Tape doesn't stick well to itself
Tape doesn’t stick well to hair
It is a heat-activated adhesive so don't take it off while hot and sweaty or in the shower.
How do you feel about Tapes that have a heating or cooling effect?
Some have a menthol incorporated into the tape but that can cause irritation
These effects are for the skin and tricking the skin.
KT Tape recently launched the Pro Oxygen. Can you explain how the Pro Oxygen works and its benefits?
Patients seem to love it
It is an infrared powder infused into the tape and reflects the body's own heat as infrared heat.
You do not feel the heat but it helps with the oxygenation of the cells.
This can help keep the oxygen flowing during endurance-type sports.
It has the pro adhesive that will last 4-7 days
It is heat-activated, so rub it in
Give it 5-10 minutes to set up
Over-stretching is a big problem
If you stretch the tissue you won't need to pull as much on the tape
Slight forward bend when applying to the back…
Knee – put the knee into 90 degrees so you stretch the tissue
RankOne data makes it easy to tell your story as an Athletic Trainer. If you collect it then you can pull everything you need with a few clicks. If you need help just call and they can guide you through.
What are some of the common things you RankOne sees from ATs?
End-of-year audits
Newspapers seeking info
Easily filter through the data that has been entered
We take data security seriously
Data transfer is really important in security.
We work with a lot of partners to make the transfer of data as seamless as possible
We partner through our API to integrate those partners.
Do you have a complete online solution for forms?
We put the medical history form online
We have included a physical upload form so parents can include a scan of the form.
There are definitely pros and cons for both.
Going Back to Data Collection
Other than concussion reporting integration what are you seeing?
Justifying the need for Athletic Trainers
Reports show how many treatments and using the CPT codes can demonstrate value
The proof of your value is in the data.
Until something bad happens the ATs value is usually glanced over.
It gives you a great way to look back and reflect.
Seen anything weird?
We get calls requesting additions often.
So we add fields when it helps them collect that data.
We like to get a consensus before we make any big changes by checking with the Athletic Trainers.
Ease of use features with RankOne Data:
Print Paperwork
Run Reports
Messaging within RankOne
We are creating a more robust messaging system that allows two-way communication.
It will message the email that the account was created with.
Any features you have cut?
There have been quite a few changes that are in response to user feedback.
What are we doing to prevent the dreaded August 1st breakdown?
We have set up some API boundaries for our partners.
Load-tested the servers.
Thanks, Bethpage Consulting for helping make the trip to SWATA 2023 possible
Nutrition Myths are so close, so easy, so trendy…Kim Lowry discusses some of the Sports Nutrition myths with Ryan Collins at the Memorial Hermann Sports Medicine Update.
Protein
2-2.2 grams of protein if they are trying to bulk up
Total calories are a common misconception
You can not bulk up Muscle but not add any fat…almost universally
Spread it out throughout the day
Nutrient Timing
Research is mixed – some say within an hour increases your muscle growth
You can ap into muscle synthesis about every 3-4 hours
High Protein snacks and meals
Nuts
Low-fat cheese sticks
Greek yogurt
Deli turkey
P3 packets
Protein bars and shakes
Adding chicken to your pasta dish
RAMEN –
You can add peanut butter
Or peanuts
I like to use the “Tasty App” and search for dorm room ramen for healthier options
Eggs are another good option
Creatine is BAD…
Pretty much all of the nutrition myths have been disproven in all healthy usage of creatine.