We all grimace when we see replays of a basketball player landing on an opponent's foot and the ankle twisting in ways it shouldn't or an offensive lineman's knee bending the opposite direction when another player falls on his leg.

They are images we wish we hadn't seen and want to delete from our minds immediately, as if we were experiencing the pain firsthand.

Yet someone has to deal with athletes screaming in pain, in dire need of medical attention.

Insert athletic trainer Kevin Morris and orthopedic surgeon Kirt Kimball.

Morris said being an athletic trainer can be a gruesome task.

"We have to prepare for the worst, but we hope that serious injuries never occur to an athlete," he said. "We always have a plan in place to mentally prepare ourselves if we do come across an open fracture or an ankle dangling out of place. Our athletic training kicks in and the adrenaline rush helps us through because we never know what we're going to see."

But that uncertainty also makes work more exciting.

"Things happen all the time when we least expect them," Morris said. "Something will happen in the weight room or some other accident goes on. It keeps things exciting around here."

Trainers and surgeons have to be knowledgeable of less-diagnosed injuries that can beset an athlete.

In the spring and summer of 2007, the football team lost three athletes to the Lisfranc fracture, a dislocation of the midfoot. Boggled by the string of events, the staff researched the issue and realized it was an equipment failure caused by the shoe not supporting the foot properly.

The BYU training staff takes significant measures to prevent injuries to the athletes it supervises. All athletes are required to wear an ankle brace or be taped to strengthen the durability of their sport's at-risk joints.

Morris said injuries are often prevented by how well the athlete's body is balanced.

"When I worked with the U.S. ski team, the athletes would have huge quads but small hamstrings," he said. "I would help them develop their hamstrings so they could perform at an optimal level and prevent injury."

Aerobics, form running and plyometrics are also implemented by strength and conditioning coaches to help student-athletes develop a well-balanced frame.

While enjoying strong relationships with coaches, Morris and Kimball maintain their obligation is to the athletes.

"Our job is to get the athletes back on to the field," Kimball said. "LaVell Edwards compared it to army artillery - a sergeant doesn't need to know what is wrong with the equipment, but if it functions or not. My job is similar - to get the athletes to function."

Countless hours are put into athletic training each week. During football season, Morris will have athletes rehab at 7 a.m. or throughout the day, based on the athlete's school schedules. Taping begins hours before practice, and practice runs from 4-6 p.m. followed by more rehab and paperwork.

"Sometimes, I don't leave until after 8 p.m.," Morris said. "Twelve- to 14-hour days are common during the season. Luckily, I have Sundays off here at BYU."

Kimball runs a private practice as an orthopedic surgeon daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. before heading to team practices to scope out work to be done after the trainers give an initial evaluation of an injury.

Balancing time can be difficult between work and family.

"It depends on where your priorities are and deciding what is most important," Kimball said. "All my kids are grown up, so I can manage to put in a few more hours at work."

Trainers and surgeons alike find joy in their work by seeing athletes overcome injuries and have success on the playing field.

Kimball recalled how BYU running back Luke Staley struggled through the 2000 season with a knee injury and underwent a major reconstructive surgery in the offseason. Staley shined during the 2001 season and eventually scored the game-winning touchdown against Utah that season.

Kimball said "that was my knee" which allowed Staley to plant his footing and head down the sideline for the score.

Morris also mentioned his feelings of accomplishment in playing a role in BYU's success.

"The biggest thrill in my profession is to see an athlete overcome a serious injury and keep going," he said. "That's where I get a sense of gratification."

Copyright Brigham Young University 3 Oct 2008