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A new study published in the Journal of Sports Rehabilitation (Sniffen et al., 2025) analyzed 619 cases of knee and ankle injuries documented by high school Athletic Trainers between 2014 and 2019 through the National Athletic Treatment, Injury and Outcomes Network (NATION).
Key findings:
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Median estimated total cost of care:
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$124.20 for knee injuries
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$148.58 for ankle injuries
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The most common services provided were therapeutic exercises and ankle strapping.
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Costs varied by severity, but overall remained far lower than previous reports from hospital-based care.
These numbers reflect only the direct services provided on-site by ATs, showing that even complex injuries are being managed affordably within schools—preventing unnecessary referrals and medical expenses.
Knee Injuries Demand Intensive, Skilled Care
A companion study from the Athletic Training Practice-Based Research Network (Lam et al., 2023) looked at 441 sport-related knee injuries treated by ATs across 95 sites nationwide between 2009–2020.
Key findings:
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Knee injuries required a median of 8 visits and 16 services per case, spanning about 23 days.
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Common services included therapeutic exercise (29.8%), hot/cold packs (25.8%), and therapeutic activities (11.2%).
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The median total cost per case was $564 (about $73 per visit).
Knee injuries were most often cruciate ligament sprains, MCL sprains, or meniscal tears—injuries known to be severe, time-intensive, and expensive if referred out. The data show ATs managing these injuries safely, consistently, and at a fraction of the cost of outside care.
Why This Matters: ATs Are Healthcare Providers
These studies confirm what Athletic Trainers have known all along: their work isn’t just injury “coverage”—it’s legitimate healthcare.
ATs evaluate injuries, implement rehab plans, and track recovery over weeks. Their on-site care prevents ER visits, reduces time lost from sport, and saves schools and families thousands of dollars. And yet, much of their work goes unbilled and uncounted.
As Sniffen and colleagues noted:
“These findings highlight the worth of athletic training services… and underscore the need for improved documentation and cost data collection to further demonstrate the economic value of athletic training services.”
Building Your Case for Support
If you’re ever asked to justify your role, this is the evidence you can point to:
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ATs deliver weeks of skilled healthcare for common sports injuries.
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They do it for a fraction of the cost of external medical care.
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Their presence reduces injury severity, speeds return to play, and lowers long-term medical costs.
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Their work protects athletes, schools, and communities from avoidable risk and liability.
Simply put: Athletic Trainers are not an expense—they are an essential investment in athlete health and safety.
While these studies were not designed to measure return on investment, their findings on treatment and cost characteristics help illustrate the broader value Athletic Trainers provide as healthcare professionals.
