Keeping Austin Athletes in the Game

Many athletes in the Austin area have a powerful ally in their corner: UT Health Austin’s Musculoskeletal Institute. The Musculoskeletal Institute care team partners with local sports teams to provide medical support for players.

“As sports medicine specialists, our job is to set athletes up for success while preventing any future injuries,” explains J. Mica Guzman, Jr., MD, MBA, MS, DABFM, CAQSM, a board-certified sports medicine specialist and the Primary Care Sports Medicine Clinical Director of the Sports and Injury Clinic within the Musculoskeletal Institute.

Supporting Athletes at Every Stage

The Musculoskeletal Institute offers comprehensive sports medicine services to a variety of local athletic organizations, from professional teams to schools. At the professional level, the Musculoskeletal Institute is The Official Medical Service Provider of the Austin Spurs, the NBA G League affiliate of the San Antonio Spurs, for both the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons.

“Our team attends every Austin Spurs game, where we treat injuries sustained on the court,” says Anthony “AJ” Johnson, MD, FAOA, FACS, FAAOS, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and the Orthopedic Sports Medicine Clinical Director of the Sports and Injury Clinic. “We also provide preseason and exit physicals for the team.”

“It is important to document injuries correctly during these physicals because, as professional athletes, injuries can affect their career,” continues Dr. Johnson. “The Austin Spurs rely on our attention to detail and accuracy to properly document and treat injuries to safeguard their health and performance for future seasons.”

Beyond the professional level, the Musculoskeletal Institute covers Austin High School athletic events and assists the sports medicine professionals who serve Longhorn sports teams at The University of Texas at Austin. “I work alongside the UT Athletics sports medicine team to address musculoskeletal and primary care issues that a player may face,” adds Dr. Guzman.

Additionally, the Musculoskeletal Institute care team serves as Clinical Directors of Special Olympics Texas (SOTX), providing support to Special Olympics athletes at both the Winter Games and Summer Games statewide competitions. Dr. Johnson also accompanied Team Texas at the 2022 Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando, Florida.

Read more about Dr. Johnson’s work with Special Olympics Texas.

<br>Fostering Relationships With Players and Staff

The Musculoskeletal Institute has historically offered medical services at events such as golf tournaments, where patients typically received one-time treatment. However, these ongoing partnerships now enable the clinic to build long-term relationships with athletes and team staff, allowing for more comprehensive care tailored to their unique needs.

“Team sports are critical to our work as sports medicine specialists,” shares Dr. Johnson. “Partnering with a team allows us to build trust with the players and team personnel over the course of their athletic season.”

Learn more about UT Health Austin’s commitment to trust.

<br>“While players receive individualized attention from our providers, these relationships are different from the typical patient-provider dynamic because we also consider the team as a whole,” says Stefanie Schutz, MSN-C, CNOR, a board-certified family nurse practitioner in the Musculoskeletal Institute.

“Team medicine is a truly multidisciplinary effort,” notes Dr. Guzman. “In my work with UT Athletics, I coordinate with the team’s physician, athletic trainers, nutritionists, and strength and conditioning coaches to ensure the athletes perform at their best. Our sports medicine specialists are integral to the broader team effort to support UT athletes.”

“Some of our clinic’s most important relationships are with a team’s athletic trainers,” adds Schutz. “We aim to establish clear, open lines communication with athletic trainers to align our priorities as we help an athlete manage an injury and return to their sport.”

These relationships often extend beyond the scope of the team partnership. Tim Martin, the CEO of SOTX, chose to be treated for an Achilles tendon injury at the Sports and Injury Clinic within the Musculoskeletal Institute in 2022 because of his positive experiences with the Musculoskeletal Institute care team at Special Olympics events.

Team partnerships lay the foundation for broader community connections, highlighting the Musculoskeletal Institute’s dedication to local involvement. “Our collaborations with organizations such as Austin High School allow us to proudly contribute to Austin’s traditions,” says Dr. Johnson.

Find out how the Musculoskeletal Institute supports the tactical athletes who serve our community.

<br>Training for the Future

In addition to providing the Musculoskeletal Institute with opportunities to build relationships within the Central Texas community, athletic partnerships also help advance its mission of training the next generation of health professionals.

Partnerships with sports teams provide Dell Medical School students with valuable hands-on experience in sports medicine. These collaborations also offer Dell Medical School residents in family medicine or orthopedic surgery the opportunity to complete the required sports medicine rotation by working alongside a team physician.

Based on these benefits to clinic personnel, trainees, and the teams themselves, providers at the Musculoskeletal Institute are optimistic about the future of their athletic partnerships and hope to develop relationships with other local teams.

“Our goal is to expand our capabilities as a sports medicine practice so we can work with more teams across the city,” shares Dr. Johnson.

For more information about the Musculoskeletal Institute or to request an appointment, call 1-833-UT-CARES (1-833-882-2737) or visit here.