Teamwork is what sets Sage Sport Institute apart from other sports medicine clinics.
With nine practitioners ranging in specialties, the Kamloops clinic offers comprehensive treatment with a multidisciplinary approach for people of all ages and abilities.
“We all work together and leverage the knowledge and skills of each other,” explains Dr. Ross Outerbridge, the owner and orthopaedic surgeon of Sage Sport Institute. “We’re constantly collaborating.”
Sage Sport Institute, which opened in 2006, provides athletic therapy, massage, orthopaedic surgery, physiotherapy, sports medicine and kinesiology to patients who have acute injuries, as well as those who are simply interested in preventative care.
“Sport participation brings with it risk and the possibility of injury, so it’s important to us that we educate parents, coaches and players in our community,” Dr. Outerbridge says. “We have well established programs in place that can help reduce the risk of injury.”
For example, injury prevention programs for girls and women’s soccer, such as the ones offered at Sage Sport Institute, can reduce the risk of serious knee and leg injuries by between 45 and 67%.
The clinic works closely with Thompson Rivers University, as their two athletic therapists, Kevin Brechin and Alyssa Horton, work full time as the therapists for the varsity athletic program.
“When they’re not with the TRU athletes, they’re working at our clinic doing a variety of programs with patients,” Dr. Outerbridge explains.
The athletic therapists perform private assessments and treatments.
At the clinic, patients have access to programs for ACL injury prevention, returning to work, returning to play, athletic development, exercise for mental health, knee injuries, post-operative care, running injuries, shoulder injuries, long-term disabilities and concussion rehabilitation.
Tammy Uyeda, a physiotherapist, enjoys the dynamic environment of Sage Sport Institute.
“There are no barriers to explore different programs that we can offer to people, both individually and in a group setting, so we keep expanding,” Uyeda explains. “It’s an exciting time for healthcare.”
“We’re not just about fixing those who have been injured, but we’re really excited to give people the tools, education and confidence they need to be able to maintain their health on their own.”
In addition, Sage Sport Institute provides streamlined service.
“Wait times in the emergency room are long, so if someone injures their knee, ankle or shoulder in a skiing or soccer accident, our skilled physiotherapists and athletic therapists are able to assess those injuries,” Dr. Outerbridge explains. “If one of them finds something that they’re concerned about, they can call me and I can see that patient sooner than a doctor at the hospital.”
A referral is not required to access the services and programs at Sage Sport Institute.
“We’re happy to see anyone, and we offer something for everyone,” Dr. Outerbridge adds.
The team at Sage Sport Institute is proud to be part of such a sports-minded community.
“Kamloops was given the moniker ‘Tournament Capital of Canada’ for a reason,” Dr. Outerbridge says. “All of the sports activity here makes it a great place to be.”
