Rush Docs Designated Team Docs for Chicago Fire

Drs. Jeff Mjaanes and Joshua Blomgren, sports medicine physicians at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush, have been designated team physicians for the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. Dr. Mjaanes is serving as chief medical officer for the team and Dr. Blomgren is serving as the associate medical officer.

Dr. Mjaanes has served as a team physician for U.S. Soccer for over eight years and has travelled abroad with both adult and youth national teams. Dr. Blomgren is also on the staff roster for U.S. Soccer and recently returned from a tour in Spain with one of the national youth teams. Both doctors have elite-level sports experience as well. Dr. Mjaanes continues to work with the full men’s national team for USA Rugby in addition to work at the collegiate level with the DePaul University Blue Demons, Trinity International University and Roosevelt University. Dr. Blomgren has served as a team physician for the Chicago White Sox for the past several seasons and has assisted as well at DePaul.

Asked about soccer-specific injuries, Dr. Mjaanes told OTW, “The most common injuries we tend to see in soccer are strains and sprains, especially in the lower extremities. Muscle strains in the calves and hamstrings are common and can take a significant amount of time to resolve completely. Ligament sprains in the ankle are frequent as well, although luckily most tend to not be severe and the athlete can get back to sports fairly quickly. Knee ligament injuries can be devastating however; medial collateral ligament injuries are mild and can be treated with bracing and rest, but anterior cruciate or lateral collateral ligament tears typically require surgical correction and a player can miss an entire season. Given that it is a contact sport, concussions and head injuries can occur as well in soccer.”

He continued, “Our first steps were getting to know the coaches, players and staff and getting a feel for how the training room at Toyota Park runs. Working with the team and the athletic training staff has been a pleasure! Everyone has been friendly and helpful. We all have the same mission: provide excellent medical care for our players and staff to keep the team healthy, on the field and victorious.”