Ferris Mfg. Corp. has hired for Colorado Avalanche head athletic trainer, Pat Karns, to help the company expand its emerging sports business. The company's patented PolyMem formulation has been used in both amateur and professional athletics to manage the bruising, swelling and inflammation that result from various athletic-related injuries. The PolyMem dressing material also is used to manage both open and closed wounds, and as a covering to help protect skin from chafing or abrasions caused by equipment.
Karns served as head athletic trainer for the Colorado Avalanche professional hockey team from 1995 to 2004. During his time with the team, the Avalanche won the Stanley Cup twice, in 1996 and 2001. Karns used PolyMem dressings on injured players during both of those playoff series. Prior to joining the Avalanche, he was head athletic trainer for the Denver Grizzlies hockey team and an assistant athletic trainer for the Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team. In 2002, he was part of the athletic training staff for the U.S. Men's Ice Hockey team at the Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City. His training background also includes working in pro soccer and luge, and with collegiate, high school, and Special Olympics athletes.
Karns had used PolyMem dressings for several years before his company, Elite Therapeutic Solutions, signed on with Ferris to be the exclusive representatives of PolyMem and SportsWrap by PolyMem for professional and amateur sports teams across the U.S. “PolyMem is very easy to use. It's easy to apply, it stays on and it helps relieve bruising, swelling and pain,” says Karns, a certified athletic trainer who also holds a master's degree in physical education. “I've used it for ankle sprains, thigh bruises and abrasions for athletes at all levels and have seen great results with it.”
This spring, PolyMem dressing's use in professional baseball was noted in both The New York Times and during broadcast of a major league game. “It's exciting to see PolyMem recognized in the sports world,” says Karns. “Athletic trainers owe it to themselves and their teams to integrate this product into their injury care regimen.”
