All athletes deserve the very best sports-related care and treatment that is focused, one-on-one and state-of-the-art. At Cleveland Clinic Sports Health, our experts treat athletes in all sports, all ages and skill levels.
We offer a variety of programs and services to cater to each individualized athletes’ needs. This involves conditioning to become stronger and faster, maximizing abilities, preventing injuries, treating injuries non-surgically when possible and surgically when necessary, and improving future performance.
Functional Capacity Evaluations
A Functional Capacity Evaluation (FCE) can be used to establish an individual's baseline level of function. This is especially helpful if an individual has suffered a permanent change in level of function due to surgery or injury. An FCE also can assist in matching an individual's current abilities to the demands of a specific job. Learn more.
Exercise Physiology
Heather Nettle, MA, ATC, Exercise Physiologist, provides fitness assessments and consultations for patients resulting in the customization of exercise prescriptions unique to each patient’s physiology, needs and goals. Learn more.
Metabolic Testing
These tests allow for a more specific weight loss or conditioning program to determine where your metabolism and endurance capabilities lie, and to further customize exercise guidelines. Learn more.
Fit Youth at Independence
Fit Youth at Independence is a family weight control program. This program is for youths who are serious about wanting to lose weight. In addition to losing weight, the program will help your child develop new eating and exercise habits. Learn more.
ImPACT Concussion Testing
ImPACT is currently the most widely utilized computerized concussion management program in the world and has been implemented effectively for high school, collegiate, and professional athletes. Learn more.
Services
Injury Prevention
Cleveland Clinic Sports Health wants to keep you in the game. While many athletes don’t see a doctor until an injury occurs, we also focus on the prevention of injuries. Our team works with you to develop an individualized exercise and conditioning program to keep you playing at the top of your game.
Injury Care and Management
Diagnosis
When an injury does occur, accurate diagnosis is crucial. Using the latest diagnostic techniques and treatment protocols, our specialists will diagnose the injury and establish a specialized care plan with the athlete designed to return him/her to pre-injury performance as quickly as possible.
Primary Care Sports Medicine
Athletes have special needs. Primary care sports medicine physicians specialize in the non-operative treatment of medical conditions athletes face. Approximately 90 percent of all sports injuries are treated non-surgically. But when surgery is needed, our primary care physicians can expedite your referral to an orthopaedic/sports surgeon.
What to see a primary care sports medicine physician for:
- Musculoskeletal issues (sprains; knee, shoulder, or other joint injuries; fractures)
- Injury prevention
- Head injuries
- Exercise related conditions
- Nutrition, supplements
- Developing an exercise program
- Pre-participation physicals
- Overall fitness/wellness
Sports Nutrition
From pro to high school athletes and even weekend warriors, Tara Harwood specializes in the nutritional needs of athletes. Tara can help improve your diet and hydration status to maximize your performance or workout. In addition, she can help athletes with weight loss, muscle and weight gain, and prevention of bone loss and injuries. Other areas of specialization include athletes with type 1 diabetes, low blood sugar, celiac disease, or disordered eating patterns, and the female athlete triad.
Tara has been employed by Cleveland Clinic since 2007 and has a Masters Degree from Ohio University in Sports Nutrition. She has been featured on multiple Cleveland news channels as well as That's Life with Robin Swoboda and Good Morning America due to her expertise in nutrition. Tara is a current member of the Sports, Cardiovascular and Wellness Nutrition practice group and the American Dietetic Association.
Surgery
If surgery is required, Cleveland Clinic Sports Health provides comprehensive surgical services. Our Orthopaedic Surgery Department is ranked among the best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Surgeons use minimally invasive techniques (such as arthroscopic surgery) whenever possible to minimize pain, scarring and recovery time.
Rehabilitation
Proper early rehabilitation is essential for a swift recovery from injury. Our physical therapists, exercise physiologists, athletic trainers and strength and conditioning specialists collaborate to maximize care for each individual. Patients have access to advanced rehabilitation equipment and the latest in rehabilitation techniques. Our emphasis is on efficient transition from rehabilitation to peak athletic performance, and we pay special attention on educating patients to avoid re-injury.
