Dr Krupa at Panthers Wrocław: "He was our missing puzzle piece" [INTERVIEW]

Panthers Wrocław is dedicated to the development of their organization not only on the field but also off it. Dr. med. Sebastian Krupa has just joined the club and will take on the role of medical director within the team. According to Michał Latoś, this is another step towards the professionalization of the team.

– This was our missing puzzle piece. Now, if our player gets injured, they will first go to Artur Hnida and then to Sebastian Krupa, who will decide on the next step - whether they should return to the physiotherapists, go to the operating table, or be directed to the physical preparation coach Łukasz Sutkowski. Previously, various specialists were in charge of this process, making different decisions. Now, we have a single expert who understands our sport and our priorities – comments Michał Latoś, President of Panthers Wrocław, on the hiring of the club's doctor.

Sebastian Krupa is an orthopedic surgeon with extensive experience, specializing in arthroscopic surgery related to sports injuries. He previously worked at the Military Hospital in Wrocław and currently practices at the private eMKa MED clinic. His expertise includes joints, ranging from the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, to the ankle. He has also worked as a team doctor for the national basketball and judo teams.

Filip Skalski: Why did you decide to join Panthers Wrocław?

Sebastian Krupa: I enjoy working with athletes, and I'm an athlete myself. I played basketball for many years, and currently, my passion is triathlon. Sports medicine and the dynamics of working in this environment have always appealed to me. I won't hide the fact that my interest in American football is also related to my son Maciej, who is a player for Panthers Wrocław.

What will your collaboration with the club look like?

I will be responsible for coordinating medical care related to injuries, taking into account the specifics of the sport, game and training schedules, and, above all, the long-term health of the players. The goal is to restore their full fitness as quickly as possible while also taking care of their overall physical condition.

Have you been following Panthers Wrocław's progress so far? How do you assess the club's organizational side?

Yes, I have. I keep up with Panthers Wrocław's development on social media and I'm completely up to date. I follow the players' activities and, consequently, their sporting results. I'm impressed with the club's organizational and marketing aspects – in my opinion, Panthers Wrocław is currently the fastest-growing team in Wrocław. The progress of the sport itself in Europe is also very impressive, especially the rapid establishment of a well-functioning European American football league like the ELF.

Have you had previous experience with football players?

Given that our clinic has been around for many years, football players, whether from Panthers Wrocław or Jaguars Kąty Wrocławskie, have been coming to us for some time. I am well acquainted with the nature of injuries associated with this sport.

How will Panthers Wrocław approach player injuries from now on?

My role is to coordinate the treatment path for a player after an injury – to minimize its duration and optimize it in terms of timing and treatment methods. The first link in the chain will remain the head of the physiotherapy team, Artur Hnida, whom I hold in high regard and have known for years. I will receive injury information from him. We will strive to have the initial consultation take place within 48 hours after the injury to initiate diagnostics as quickly as possible. Based on this examination, treatment will be administered, taking into account the sport's specifics and aiming to get the player back on their feet as quickly as possible. In the case of very serious injuries, surgical procedures may be necessary. Our goal is to have one person in the club responsible for player communication regarding their treatment – this is crucial. We want the player to understand the nature of their injury and have full confidence in the subsequent steps.