It takes a team to care for athletes' health (continued)

By Darla Brown

“I go to at least the start of two-thirds of the Rockets’ 44 home games, and I attend all of the Texans’ home games – I stopped traveling to away games two years ago,” he says.

Dr. Clanton says that although the injuries that athletes and nonathletes sustain are similar, there can be a difference in how they are treated.

“The timing of when we do something because of seasons or contract issues can result in small nuances of how or when to treat a professional athlete’s injury,” Dr. Clanton says. “The large size of some of these players and their ability to play through pain can be factors, but it is always our goal to provide them with the best possible medical advice and care.”

Professional trainers are employed to help with an athlete’s recovery, and Dr. Clanton says most all patients are referred to physical therapy for guidance in their recovery, professional athlete or not.

Taking care of world-renowned athletes can turn a spotlight to their physicians.

“A lot more attention is paid to celebrity athletes’ injuries, and it’s a little overwhelming to me at times. But, it goes along with taking care of the most noted athletes in the world, like Yao Ming,” he says.

Dr. Clanton emphasizes that a team approach to care is taken for all patients.

“We have a big sports medicine team, and from the front desk to the nurses, the other physicians and surgeons and the residents and fellows, it takes everyone – and fortunately, we have a great team,” he says.

Dr. Clanton adds that his faith and his family, wife Kay, two daughters Kelly Holton and Laura Seelig, and one grandson Knox Holton, are his driving forces.

“I am here because God had a plan for me. The spiritual aspects of health and medical care are very important to me, and I try to bring that into my practice,” he says.