Orthopedic surgeon helps prevent injuries on the field

By Roni Gehlke
For the Contra Costa Times

By Roni Gehlke
ANTIOCH -- Football is the top scorer when it comes to racking up sport-related injuries, according to the study by the American Journal of Sports Medicine. That is one of the reasons why Antioch orthopedic surgeon Benjamin Busfield takes to the field on Friday afternoons and evenings during football season to lend a hand.

"Football is a high-contact sport more than any other, and kids get hurt," Busfield explains.
During the football season Busfield attends both Antioch and Deer Valley high school's football games. He works on the sidelines attending to players who might be injured during the games.

Busfield said he always had a passion for sports and participated in a sports fellowship in Los Angeles. During that time, he worked with professional athletes who played for the Dodgers, Lakers and the Los Angeles Kings.

"I know what these injuries look like, so if I can help a young athlete on the field to prevent further injury, then I am putting my training to good use," Busfield said.

Busfield specializes in sports medicine in his medical practice at Sutter East Bay Medical Foundation in Antioch. He believes that "taking his profession to the players before they have to become patients" is the best way to give back to his community."I know because of economic cutbacks, many high school sports can no longer afford to have a paid medical trainer sitting on the sidelines," Busfield said.

"Football is a full-contact sport and can be dangerous, especially when it comes to concussions."

"So I want to help these young athletes in any way I can, and volunteering to be on the sidelines allows me a front row view to assess injuries that may occur, and provide the coaching staff and parents a professional medical opinion about the injury in real time."

Busfield hopes that having a local professional in the front line who knows the complexity of football injuries will bring peace of mind to coaches and parents.

Busfield said that while football does have a reputation for injuries, cheerleaders actually have the most injuries on the field. Since he has been volunteering this season, though, there haven't been a lot of injuries at either Antioch or Deer Valley high schools.

While his practice is in East County, Busfield lives in Lafayette with his family. He was raised in Benicia, and although he spent some time in Southern California, he said he enjoys living and working in this area.