This special series on “Evaluation and Treatment of ACL Injuries in High Level Athletes: The Continuum of Care” is edited by Dr. Jeremy Burnham (Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ochsner Health System Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA, USA), Dr. Brian Godshaw (Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA) and Dr. Patrick Cook (Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute, Baton Rouge, LA, USA).

Jeremy Burnham, MD
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ochsner Health System Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Dr. Jeremy Burnham is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine at Ochsner Health in Baton Rouge. He serves as Regional Section Head of Orthopedic Surgery and Medical Director of Sports Medicine, as well as Medical Director of the Therapy and Wellness service line. He specializes in knee ligament, meniscus, and cartilage surgery, and has had experience as a team physician at the professional, collegiate and high school levels.

Dr. Burnham’s academic interests include clinical research focusing on ACL tears and injury prevention. He leads the multi-disciplinary research team at the Ochsner-Andrews Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute in Baton Rouge, focusing on 3D motion analysis, ACL return to play, and advanced ACL surgical techniques. He has authored over 50 peer-reviewed publications and book chapters.

In addition to his academic interests, he has served in leadership roles at the regional and national levels, and has lobbied on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., for patient rights. Dr. Burnham is a graduate of Louisiana State University where he earned a varsity letter in football, the Football Coach's Award and SEC Academic Honor Roll. Dr. Burnham completed his orthopedic surgery and sports medicine residency at the University of Kentucky where he trained with sports medicine knee, shoulder and cartilage experts. During residency, Dr. Burnham was awarded the Intern's Teaching Award, Best Research Presentation Awards, Outstanding Junior Resident Award and Outstanding Senior Resident Award. Dr. Burnham then completed a sports medicine fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center under the leadership of internationally recognized sports medicine leaders, including Dr. Freddie Fu, Dr. Volker Musahl, and Dr. James Bradley. He was awarded the Fellow's Award in 2019 for outstanding teaching and service by the 2019 primary care sports medicine fellows.

Brian Godshaw, MD
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Ochsner Clinic Foundation, New Orleans, LA, USA

Dr. Brian Godshaw recently joined the group at Ochsner Sports Medicine Institute. He serves as Director of Orthopedic Research. He provides team coverage to several area high schools in the New Orleans and River Region areas. Dr. Godshaw graduated with Magna Cum Laude from Clemson University in South Carolina. He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Wisconsin. He then completed his Orthopedic Surgery internship and residency at the Ochsner Clinic Foundation during which time he received the Researcher of the Year Award in 2019. Dr. Godshaw continued his training at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center where he completed his Orthopedic Sports Medicine Fellowship. While there, Dr. Godshaw trained under the direction of Dr. Freddie Fu, renowned sports medicine surgeon. During his fellowship year, Dr. Godshaw was team physician and provided medical coverage to the Pittsburgh Penguins, professional hockey team, University of Pittsburgh Division I football team and other Division I athletes in other sports such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, gymnastics, wrestling, baseball, softball, and swimming. He also provided medical care to athletes at Robert Morris University and Carnegie Mellon University. Dr. Godshaw has a specific interest in the advancement of sports medicine through research and has published multiple peer-reviewed scientific articles. His research has been presented at several national and international orthopedic conferences. He is board-eligible by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. His practice focuses on arthroscopic and reconstructive surgery of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. Professional society memberships include the Arthroscopy Association of North America, American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine, and American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. Originally from Vienna, Virginia. He enjoys spending time with his wife and son.

Patrick Cook, PT
Ochsner Andrews Sports Medicine Institute, Baton Rouge, LA, USA

Patrick Cook is a physical therapist with over 16 years of experience in the clinical setting specializing in sports and orthopedic physical therapy. He is board certified through the APTA in both Sports and Orthopedic Physical Therapy and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapists. Patrick completed his primary training in physical therapy at Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, LA and his fellowship at Regis University in Denver, CO. He currently serves as the director of operations for Ochsner Health Therapy and Wellness division ensuring clinical quality and operational excellence in both outpatient and inpatient therapy services across Louisiana and Mississippi. He has spent most of his career involved with team and sideline coverage in the high school and college settings, most recently traveling with LSU Track and Field teams.

Series outline:

1. Innovations and Best Practices for ACL Tear Management in High-demand Athletes
2. Mechanism of ACL Injury in Athletes across Various Sports
3. High-level Evaluation of the ACL-injured Athlete
4. Precision ACL Reconstruction in High-level Athletes
5. Roundtable Discussion: ACL Graft Choice for High-level and Professional Athletes
6. Treatment Options for Concomitant Cartilage Damage in the ACL-injured Athlete
7. Roundtable Discussion: Meniscus Treatment Strategies in ACL-Injured High-level and Professional Athletes
8. Revision ACL Reconstruction in High-Level Athletes
9. The Role of Osteotomy in ACL-Injured Athletes
10. Treatment Strategies for Concomitant Ligament Injury in ACL-injured Athletes
11. The Rehabilitation Continuum in ACL-injured Athletes
12. Return to High Level Sports After ACL Injury: Sport Training and Implications
13. Roundtable Discussion: Trends and Innovations in the Rehabilitation of Collegiate and Professional ACL-injured Athletes

Disclosure:
The special series “Evaluation and Treatment of ACL Injuries in High Level Athletes: The Continuum of Care” was commissioned by the editorial office, Annals of Joint without any sponsorship or funding. Dr. Jeremy Burnham, Dr. Brian Godshaw and Dr. Patrick Cook are serving as the unpaid Guest Editors for the special series.