Shands Rehab Centers are dedicated to providing excellent patient care to individuals throughout North Central Florida. Through comprehensive rehabilitation programs, we hope to create a safe and comfortable environment that empowers individuals to manage their care independently, return to a functional lifestyle, and improve their quality of life. We are dedicated to treating our patients with compassion, creativity, respect and confidentiality.

Shands Rehabilitation and UF physical therapy sports residency program becomes Florida’s only APTA-accredited sports program. Learn More.

Learn more about:

• the OSMI Staff
• OSMI Prehabilitation for athletes
• Throwing/pitching analysis
• Medical Fitness Program
• Running Evaluations
• Sports Orthoses
• OSMI photos
• Additional services

Cutting edge Research and Evidence –Based Approach:

Shands Rehab at OSMI is involved in many cutting edge research projects in the area of Sports Medicine.  The therapists at Shands collaborate with the University of Florida Department of Orthopedics and Department of Physical Therapy on several projects funded by the NFL, National Institute of Health, Regeneration Technology Inc, and Omeros.  These projects enable patients to be involved in the latest technology and treatments and lead to more effective and quicker recoveries.  The clinical research areas include plyometric training after ACL reconstruction, eccentric muscle training following Meniscectomy, fear avoidance after ACL reconstruction and in low back pain and the effect of graded exercise exposure with sub-acute low back pain.  Therapists at OSMI have presented at CSM (Combined Sections Meeting/APTA), have published papers, or have been asked to lecture on sport specific topics.

Visit the UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute Web site or the Shands Rehab and Sports Performance Web site.

Sports Rehabilitation Services

 OSMI Prehabilitation for Athletes

Shands Rehab at OSMI performs prehab screenings on several of the UF athletic teams including football, volleyball, soccer, basketball, and gymnastics.  The screenings consist of a musculoskeletal evaluation including strength, flexibility, balance and postural testing done by experienced physical therapists.  The athletes also undergo biomechanical evaluations using high-speed motion analysis cameras and force plates to determine the efficiency of their movement.  The data is analyzed and individualized programs are put together for each athlete to address any deficiencies that may lead to injury. 

Overview of Examination Components

• Upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk ROM and flexibility
• Upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk strength/stability, including functional movement testing and evaluation
• Biomechanical evaluation with high-speed camera

Throwing/pitching Analysis

Developing an added edge to competitive performance is important to every athlete and coach from amateur to professional sports.  The achievement of excellence in sport is based on technical skill and physiological ability.  Although technical skill can be trained and honed, overall physiological performance is generally assumed to indicate greater achievement in sports.  In order to achieve superior physiological performance, the athlete must be on the diamond.  If the athlete can’t play or is limited due to injury then the team will not succeed.

The program focuses on identifying potential weaknesses and imbalances within the shoulder, elbow, core, and lower extremity that may impede performance or heighten risk of injury.  The program is designed to address every aspect of physical training including strength, conditioning, agility, recovery, flexibility, and throwing mechanics to improve the potential for optimal athletic performance and decrease risk of injury.

Physical therapists that have experience working with both professional and collegiate baseball players, as well as individuals that have been around the game and have direct knowledge of the intricacies of the overhead throwing athlete.

This process includes a comprehensive, position-specific biomechanical, strength, flexibility, and physical performance examination. Individual deficits are identified and their potential impact on sports performance and injury risk is outlined. Information from the physical exam and biomechanical throwing analysis is compiled and athletes are classified into low, medium, or high injury risk categories for a multitude of common injuries associated with the overhead athlete.

Specific, individual recommendations for injury prevention and improved athletic performance are provided to the player and training staff.  All information recorded is confidential. The coaching and training staff will then be able to use the information as indirect or direct adjuncts to their athletes care.

Overview of Examination Components

• Upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk ROM and flexibility
• Upper extremity, lower extremity, and trunk strength/stability, including functional movement testing and evaluation
• Biomechanical throwing evaluation with high-speed camera

Medical Fitness Program

Athletic trainers and exercise physiologists from Shands Rehab Centers have developed a medically based, supervised fitness/wellness program. The program benefits those who have just completed rehabilitative therapy, have an on-going medical condition or have been referred by their physicians to begin a supervised fitness/wellness program.

Benefits of the program include, but are not limited to:

• safe, medically based exercises designed to improve strength and fitness
• supervision by experienced athletic trainers and exercise physiologists
• bridges the return to general wellness after completing a structured rehabilitation program

For more information about the Medical Fitness Program and view rates and hours, download this brochure.

Running Evaluations

Here at OSMI, we perform a comprehensive evaluation of a runners static positioning and dynamic biomechanics to help deal with very common lower extremity injuries as well as help in the preventative process.  The evaluation consists of flexibility, range of motion and strength measures specifically associated with running as well as high speed video analysis.  With this information, we are able to develop and treatment and training program to safely and quickly return to running.  Our running evaluations are performed by a physical therapist with over 10 years of sports orthopaedic experience working with professional, collegiate and recreational runners.

Sports Orthoses

We fabricate custom semi-rigid foot orthoses specially targeted at the athletic population.  The orthoses are made by a physical therapist/pedorthotist who has worked with professional, collegiate, and recreational athletes.  He is a consultant for the University of Florida Athletic Association.

OSMI Photos

Click here to view more photos of OSMI and the OSMI experience.

Additional Services

• arthritis care
• general orthopaedic surgery
• foot and ankle services
• fracture care
• orthopaedic cancer care
• pediatric orthopaedic surgery
• total joint replacement
• upper extremity
• spine care rehabilitation services
• sports medicine
• See all services provided at this location

Location

Shands Rehab Center (1st Floor)
UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute
3450 Hull Road
Gainesville FL 32608

Map & Directions

More Information

For more information or to make an appointment at Shands Rehab Center at UF Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine Institute, call 352.273.7004.