FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Gulf Breeze, Fla. (June 18, 2010) – With only eight minutes to go in the national semifinal game of the NCAA basketball tournament against Duke, West Virginia senior forward Da’Sean Butler experienced a traumatic knee injury that brought his basketball career to an abrupt halt on national television. On April 8, 2010, only five days later, Butler arrived at The Andrews Institute in Gulf Breeze, Fla., to experience the world-renown orthopaedic and sports medicine surgical skills of Dr. Lonnie Paulos, orthopaedic surgeon and medical director of The Andrews-Paulos Research & Education Institute. At that point, Butler’s road to recovery was just beginning and so was his national media attention.
With Butler’s permission, ESPN filmed the intensive surgery to repair his torn ACL, interviewed Dr. Paulos, and spoke with the young athlete about his NBA draft dreams and the impact his devastating injury could have on them. Butler shared openly and honestly with the crew, who vowed to follow-up with him throughout his treatment. “I thought it was great that ESPN gave me the opportunity to share my experience and show the NBA – and the world – that I am going to overcome this challenge,†Butler explained.
Over the next weeks, Butler received the full continuum of care at The Andrews Institute, including physical therapy, nutritional support and rehabilitative training in partnership with Athletes’ Performance. On June 9, 2010, ESPN returned to The Andrews Institute to see Butler’s treatment progress first hand.
Physical therapist, Steve Smith, commented on Butler’s progress during the filming when he said, “Da’Sean has really done everything we’ve asked of him. He’s dedicated, and he’s functionally progressing in accordance with his treatment plan. We’re really proud of his progress.â€
The camera continued to roll, capturing Butler’s every determined move – inside, outside and in the Hydroworx pool.
As a parting question, ESPN reporter David Amber asked Butler how he was feeling with the NBA draft in the near future. In a casual, confident manner Butler replied, “I’m satisfied with where I’m at and how far I’ve come in a short time. I’m just really looking forward to visiting the teams and getting back on the court.â€
For additional insight into Butler’s road to recovery, the full feature can be seen on the “Outside the Lines†program on ESPN2 Sunday, June 20, 2010, at 8 a.m. Central Standard Time (CST). The feature is likely to show multiple times throughout the week and be posted to ESPN.com.
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About the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Located minutes from Pensacola, Florida in Gulf Breeze, the Andrews Institute for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine provides world-class care and service for the athlete in everyone. The Institute’s 40 physicians and medical experts provide top-notch service to every patient and it’s the only place in the world to offer surgery, diagnostic imaging, rehab and athletic performance training all on one campus. The one-of-a-kind center focuses on the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries while using the expertise of nationally and internationally renowned orthopaedic surgeon James Andrews, M.D. Dr. Andrews is best known as physician to some of sport’s greatest professional athletes. In recent years, the Andrews Institute has expanded to offer multiple Andrews Institute Rehabilitation offices throughout the regional community. For additional information, please visit www.theandrewsinstitute.com.
The Andrews Institute is a facility of Baptist Health Care, a community-owned, not-for-profit health care organization committed to improving the quality of life for people and communities in Northwest Florida and South Alabama. Nationally recognized for performance excellence and quality achievement, Baptist received the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award in 2003; and has consistently ranked in the 99th percentile for patient satisfaction as recognized by Press Ganey. Baptist Health Care includes four hospitals, two medical parks, Baptist Manor, Baptist Home Health Care and Durable Medical Equipment, Baptist Leadership Institute, Andrews Institute for Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Baptist Medical Group and Lakeview Center. With more than 6,000 employees, Baptist Health Care is the largest non-governmental employer in northwest Florida. For more information, please visit www.ebaptisthealthcare.org.
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