The Department is led by Consultants in Sports and Exercise Medicine, and a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist, and a team of Registrars, who work collaboratively to treat simple and complex conditions impacting sports participation and performance.
The team is made of
- Dr Noel McCaffrey
- Dr Pat O’Neill
- Ms. Tina Traynor, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
Dr Noel McCaffrey
Dr McCaffrey is a former Dublin GAA football player and GAA All-Star (1988), who combines a passion for sport, medical expertise and empirical knowledge to benefit patients. Dr McCaffrey studied Medicine at University College Dublin (UCD) and Sports Medicine in London, and his interests include obesity, musculoskeletal injury in athletes and exercise for special populations.
Dr Pat O’Neill
In his youth, Dr O’Neill enjoyed a highly successful sporting career as a player, selector and manager for the Dublin GAA football team. During this time he lifted the Sam Maguire Cup on two occasions in 1976 and again in 1977. Dr O’Neill is a founder member of the Gaelic Games Doctors Association, established to advise the GAA in general and medical welfare matters and drive policy to protect players. Inspired by his own sporting experiences, and empowered by specialist knowledge and medical expertise, Dr O’Neill provides an accurate diagnosis, comprehensive treatment and excellent advisory services for patients of the Hospital’s Sports and Exercise Medicine Department.
Ms. Tina Traynor, Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist
As a highly skilled Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist of 30 years, Tina has extensive knowledge and expertise in musculoskeletal (MSK), orthopaedic, sports and exercise medicine, working in the public and private sector. She holds a Master of Medical Science (Sports Physiotherapy) and is qualified to administer Joint and Soft Tissue Injections.
Tina works collaboratively with Sports & Exercise Medicine Consultants, inputting into the assessment and treatment of patients and providing expert advice for optimal and expedited recovery, enhanced performance and injury prevention. Tina is also an active member of the Musculoskeletal Triage Clinic team and physiotherapy-led Injection Clinic team.
Her professional clinical interests include the assessment and rehabilitation of non-surgical MSK conditions and sports injuries, and maximum restoration of physical function in postoperative patients. She is particularly interested in shoulder and upper limb rehabilitation.
The Department of Sports and Exercise Medicine provides timely access to services for patients, of all ages and fitness levels, across a variety of sporting disciplines, who wish to overcome a physical challenge so that they return to their desired level of activity.
Assessment
Comprehensive multi-disciplinary assessments are undertaken by a Medical Consultant and Physiotherapy Clinical Specialist to ascertain the origins and extent of the injury and gain an understanding of the patient’s expectations. We examine aerobic fitness, strength and endurance, flexibility and form, to determine tests to aid diagnosis. Patients may be asked to attend Orthopaedic Sports Imaging Cappagh (OSIC) at the Radiology Department for scans, and the Phlebotomy Department for blood tests.
Diagnosis
Orthopaedic Sports Imaging Cappagh (OSIC) has advanced diagnostic capability and exceptional expertise. The Department is led by Prof Stephen Eustace and Prof Eoin Kavanagh, who have unrivalled expertise in high-resolution imaging, scan interpretation and interventional radiology. OSIC assists the Department of Sports & Exercise Medicine, providing imaging services and reporting findings to aid patient diagnosis and formulation of treatment pathways. OSIC also provide international radiological treatments for patients, using minimally invasive image-guided to administer anti-inflammatory and painblocking medications.
Click here to access radiology, interventional medicine
Treatment
Where possible, we use non-surgical approaches to treat sports-injuries and related conditions.
Lower Limb |
Upper Limb |
Illness and injury can negatively impact employees and the businesses they work for. Health challenges affect job performance, give rise to absenteeism, and contribute to financial and emotional stresses for the individual. Whilst excessive absenteeism can compromise a company’s service, quality, finances and culture.
The Department of Sport and Exercise Medicine offers comprehensive occupational health services for individuals, employees and businesses, that include:
- Pre-employment and periodic health examinations
- Assessment, diagnosis and clinical validaton of an illness or injury
- Treatment, monitoring and management of an illness or injury
- Rehabilitation medicine and performance optimisation
- Return to work examination and advisory service
- Strategic advice to enable employees experiencing health challenges to remain in the workplace
- Absentee certification
- Health promotion advisory
Patients are advised to check with their local sports club to ascertain if the club policy provides insurance for treatment at the National Orthopaedic Hospital Cappagh.
Designated Sports & Exercise Medicine Centre
As the designated Sports Medicine Partner to the Sport Ireland Institute, the Hospital’s Rapid Access Referral system provides timely and comprehensive medical care for elite athletes.