Vail Health’s Howard Head Sports Medicine has built on 36 years of orthopaedic innovation to deliver sports rehabilitation services. The foundation of this innovation dates back to Howard Head, an engineer who created a lighter, more efficient ski using aerospace-grade aluminum “honeycomb” construction in 1950.
Head was a philanthropist who supported Vail’s growth and the work at the hospital, particularly the surgical advancements of Dr. Richard Steadman. He recognized the need for an outpatient physical therapy group and founded Howard Head Sports Medicine in 1990 with Dr. Steadman.
The organization introduced a new approach to mobilizing injured joints after surgery rather than immobilizing them, which reshaped modern post-surgical orthopaedic and sports medicine rehabilitation. Today, Vail Health Howard Head Sports Medicine treats overuse and trauma injuries in patients, from professional athletes to weekend warriors.
Board-certified physical therapists evaluate, assess, and treat individuals, offering rehabilitation services, including orthopaedic and sports rehabilitation, and a return to ski and snowboard program. The team helps patients return to their sports or activities faster and stronger, while reducing the risk of future injuries.
Experts provide treatments for various joint and extremities injuries, including tibial plateau and tibia fractures, labral tears of the hip and shoulder, and complex hand, wrist, and elbow injuries. The organization’s board-certified surgeons, physicians, and physical therapists conduct ongoing research and publish in peer-reviewed publications.
According to Helen Bradley, PT, Clinic Coordinator of Howard Head Vail, “At Howard Head Sports Medicine, we believe exceptional care happens where sound science, clinical expertise, and each patient’s individual goals meet.” A recent study established a normative benchmark value for shoulder strength, supporting the use of a patient’s uninjured shoulder as a personalized benchmark for tracking recovery progress.
The team’s research has impacted care for top athletes and orthopaedic patients globally. They are available to provide a second opinion or collaborate on a patient’s care plan. Vail Health’s orthopaedic surgeons and Howard Head Sports Medicine experts can be reached at www.howardhead.org/getback.
Leave a Reply