Medical Learning from the Special Olympics World Games 2015.

The Special Olympics World Games (SOWG) were held in Los Angeles, CA, during the summer of 2015. Medical care for 26 sporting events spread over six major venues across the city was provided to more than 6,000 athletes and 3,000 delegates from 170 countries. Education on care for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and athletes with additional medical issues was provided in addition to the usual sports medicine care.

Traveling with the team.

The team physician may be asked to travel with the team to away venues. This takes special planning to provide for travel advice, proper immunizations, treatment of travel related diseases, appropriate planning for supplies, and care not to disturb any local laws and regulations. Increased security screening and limitations of what is allowed on the airplane in the cabin and in checked luggage have particularly affected air travel.

Equipment and supplies for sports and event medicine.

There is an art and a science to determining the contents of an appropriate medical bag for sports and event medicine. Sports and event medicine encompass a broad range of activities and venues, and the medical bag's contents must be adapted accordingly. We discuss relevant considerations as well as general principles and recommendations accompanied by a checklist, using coverage of football games as a model.

Safety, security, and preparing for disaster at sporting events.

There is a heightened awareness of terrorism in this country. There always remains the possibility of nonterrorist disasters at sporting venues. The team physician will be among the first medical responders to a disaster at a sporting venue.

Sideline splinting, bracing, and casting of extremity injuries.

Emergent and nonemergent splinting, bracing, and casting are effective ways to safely remove an injured athlete from the playing field, allow immediate return to play, and permit an athlete to return to play before an injury has completely healed. Sideline providers should be familiar with the materials and resources currently available, and be aware of the sport-specific guidelines regarding their use. Properly applied splints, casts, braces, and padding should function to prevent further injury, promote comfort, and not pose a risk of injury to other participants.