Entry 235-4
Huntsville Hospital and The Orthopaedic Center Provide Medical Care to Strike King Pros
Editor’s Note: Dewayne Manning is the director of sports medicine at Huntsville Hospital in Huntsville, Alabama. Huntsville Hospital and The Orthopaedic Center (TOC), also located in Huntsville, have teamed up to offer medical advice and treatment to the Strike King Pro Staff members. We’ve asked Manning, a certified athletic trainer, about the injuries fishermen commonly suffer, and what treatment options are available.
Part 4: Foot Problems and the Advantages of Athletic Trainers
Question: What’s the fifth most-common medical problem that fishermen have?
Manning: Fishermen have lots of foot problems, including heel spurs, tightening of the fascia on the bottom of the foot and strain from working that foot on the trolling motor all day long while they fish. Fishermen will tell me, “When I first step out of the bed in the morning, my foot feels like someone has just driven a nail through the center of my foot as soon as my foot hits the floor.” Most of the time, the pain’s either coming from planter fasciitis or a bone spur. Usually we have to give the fishermen some type of medication and some stretching exercises to relieve that pain and prevent it from returning.
Question: What’s the major advantage that the Strike King pros get from their association with the orthopedic department of Huntsville Hospital?
Manning: The Strike King Pros are only a phone call away from medical help with any type of sickness, injury, pain or ache that will inhibit their performances. These fishermen know that they have someone they can trust to help them get well, get back in the game and compete at their highest levels of skill.
Question: What are any other advantages that the Strike King Pros have by the Huntsville Hospital being their professional caregivers?
Manning: We have a staff of athletic trainers who will go to any tournament where the Strike King Pros are within 150 miles of Huntsville. 
We treat them and offer medical assistance during the time the pros are competing. We’re going to try and cover them any time they’re competing within the state of Alabama with a qualified trainer, just like the trainers you see at any other types of sporting events. These trainers will be giving physical therapy and helping to rehab any injuries that the Strike King Pro may have before they compete, even if they go out really early in the mornings. The trainers will also be there to aid them and provide rehab as soon as they come off the water in the afternoons.
You can contact Dewayne Manning at TOC at Huntsville Hospital at 256-539-2728 or email him at dewaynem@hhsys.org. For more information about The Orthopaedic Center, call 256-265-5000 or go to The Orthopaedic Center website.
