DISC Sports & Spine Center Designated The Official Medical Services Provider For ORACLE TEAM USA In 35th America's Cup Race
World's first outpatient surgery center to provide orthopedic and sports medicine intervention to American defending champions as they compete for the oldest trophy in international sport
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 13, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- DISC Sports & Spine Center (DISC) http://www.discmdgroup.com has been named the official medical service provider for ORACLE TEAM USA in the 35th America's Cup. The announcement comes on the heels of the successful treatment of two team athletes, skipper Jimmy Spithill and Tactician Tom Slingsby.
Founded by neurological spine surgeon Dr. Robert Bray, DISC is the nation's leading outpatient center for minimally invasive spine surgery and sports medicine. DISC's newest affiliation with ORACLE TEAM USA is one of several high profile athletic partnerships for the practice including designations with Red Bull North America, the Los Angeles Kings and formerly the United States Olympic Committee.
After meeting in 2015 at a Red Bull conference, Spithill consulted Dr. Bray about treatment for persistent elbow pain in his right arm, due to a torn tendon. The procedure proved so successful that Spithill had Dr. Bray evaluate his right arm for a condition commonly referred to as "tennis elbow".
But following a second successful surgery on the other elbow, Spithill pushed his recovery and contracted a severe infection from wound breakdown and swelling. In response, Dr. Bray quickly and aggressively treated Spithill, who widely credits Dr. Bray for saving both his arm and sailing career.
Dr. Bray also surgically repaired ORACLE TEAM USA tactician and back-up helmsman Tom Slingsby's persistent and debilitating neck injury caused by a boat crash the Olympic Gold Medalist was involved in years earlier.
With both sailors now back at peak performance, the newly formalized partnership will see Dr. Bray providing ORACLE TEAM USA with medical consulting, health screenings, and all medical care leading up to, during, and following the America's Cup races taking place this month in Bermuda.
"With the sport of competitive sailing a personal passion of mine for many years, I'm keenly aware of the physiological demands it puts on the body—demands that are exponentially greater at the intense level ORACLE TEAM USA sees regularly," says Dr. Bray. "This unique perspective has already proven a benefit in the treatment of several of the team's athletes, and I look forward to further elevating ORACLE TEAM USA's care through this exciting relationship."
ORACLE TEAM USA is seeking a third consecutive America's Cup win in the 2017 competition. The new America's Cup Class boats, with just six crew on board, are more physically demanding than ever before.
"Innovations in the design of the boat means more demand on all of us physiologically," said Spithill, who became the youngest skipper to win the America's Cup in 2010.
"The sport requires an extraordinary amount of physical endurance, and to succeed, we are going to have to push ourselves like never before. Having a doctor we know and trust to mitigate the risk of injury, and provide effective treatment quickly, is essential to ensuring our team's well being. Dr. Bray is an exceptional surgeon and friend of the team. There is no one else we would rather work with to keep our sailors safe and well."
ORACLE TEAM USA has just won the opening stage of the event, the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Qualifiers. As the top four challengers battle for the right to face ORACLE TEAM USA in the America's Cup, the defending champion will have two weeks to finish its preparations.
Racing for the 35th America's Cup takes place in Bermuda and will air on NBC beginning on June 17.
For more information about DISC or ORACLE TEAM USA, please visit:
http://oracle-team-usa.americascup.com/en/oracleteamusa.html
About DISC Sports & Spine Center
DISC Sports & Spine Center (DISC) is California's premier medical group providing the full scope of spinal care, orthopedics, pain management and conservative treatments. DISC has set a new standard for high-acuity, minimally invasive spine surgery and arthroscopy in an outpatient setting, both safely and on a more cost-effective basis. In partnership with Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA), one of the nation's leading surgical care companies, DISC operates state-of-the-art outpatient surgery centers in Marina Del Rey and Newport Beach, California. Both centers are accredited by the AAAHC and have a zero MRSA infection rate. DISC, which accepts most major insurance plans, is also the official medical services provider for Red Bull. For more information, contact 866-481-DISC, or visit
Contact: Shae DeWaal, Rogers & Cowan, [email protected]
SOURCE DISC Sports & Spine Center
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