In the high-stakes world of the NFL, “waiting for results” isn’t part of anyone’s game plan. The line between a minor injury and a season-ending one is razor-thin, and the decision to clear a player for a big game often needs to be made in minutes.
For Dr. Kevin Kaplan, Head Team Physician for the Jacksonville Jaguars, this pressure is just another day at the office, or, more accurately, at the stadium. We asked Dr. Kaplan some questions to learn how on-demand, high-quality X-ray imaging has fundamentally changed his ability to care for elite athletes, both on and off the field.
Ruling Out Injury
When an athlete goes down, the first thought is often the worst-case scenario. But for Dr. Kaplan, the most powerful application of portable X-ray is often delivering good news.
“While the X-ray is a great way to identify fractures and/or instability, where I found it most useful is ruling out the aforementioned injuries,” Dr. Kaplan explains. “This gives the player peace of mind and allows them to return to competition without missed time.”
This “peace of mind” is a clinical game-changer. It replaces guesswork with certainty, allowing a confident diagnosis that protects the player’s long-term health while avoiding unnecessary time on the sidelines.
Beyond the Static Image
Modern sports injuries aren’t always visible on a static image. The MC2 portable X-ray system unlocks a new diagnostic dimension by allowing for real-time evaluation.
“The MC2 device provides images that are just as high-quality as a standard radiograph,” Dr. Kaplan notes. “It also allows me to dynamically assess joint motion for any instability.”
This ability to see the joint in motion is critical. “Specifically, dynamic assessments of an injured limb have allowed multiple of my players to return to play,” he says, “with me being able to confidently tell them there was a low risk of short-term or long-term issues.”
Redefining Workflows
For an NFL player, time is a structured commodity. Every minute spent traveling to an off-site imaging center is time lost from vital preparation.
“The MC2 saves time and mitigates the need for the athletes to be away from the facility, which would take them away from their standard meetings and classroom time,” Dr. Kaplan says.
This efficiency extends to the medical team itself as staff are pinched for time, week to week, too. The OXOS device helps to fill the gap.
“Having an on-site portable machine that I am able to utilize after practices provides real-time, quick diagnoses and helps in my decision-making in regard to potentially injured players,” Dr. Kaplan adds.
Away from Home
An NFL team’s medical equipment must be as mobile as its players. When the Jaguars travel, the MC2 goes with them.
“Given its ease of transport, the MC2 portable X-ray system is a benefit when we are on the road for an extended period of time,” Dr. Kaplan notes. “The system is portable, takes up little space in my office or at the stadium, and is extremely easy to use.”
The design’s simplicity and portability were a hit with the entire medical staff. “The athletic trainers commented on how easy it was to transport and set up.”
The New Standard of Care, from the NFL to Your Clinic
The extreme demands of elite sports medicine—speed, accuracy, efficiency, and portability—are fast becoming the standard expectations for every modern orthopedic practice.
Dr. Kevin Kaplan’s experience with the Jaguars demonstrates that the future of imaging is here. It’s about providing real-time, high-quality, and dynamic diagnoses, whether you’re at the 50-yard line, an international stadium, or your own clinic.
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