The USOC launched the National Medical Network in August 2013 to provide comprehensive medical services to elite Team USA athletes, including orthopaedics and sports medicine, primary care, cardiovascular care, neurosurgery and physical therapy.

The Allegheny Network has seven hospitals and 17 orthopaedic and rehabilitation centres across western Pennsylvania and eastern Ohio and it's Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation Institute has condition specific centres which focus on a variety of athlete injuries such as ligament damage, arthritis, back pain and spinal disorders; carpal tunnel syndrome, bone fractures, rotator cuff tears, sports and dance related injuries; and sprains, strains and contusions.

It is also home to a newly developed concussion management programme called C3 Logix which uses a computerised neurocognitive exam with tablet-based technology that tracks an athlete's dynamic vision reflexes and ability to visually focus on moving objects to determine the existence or severity of a head injury.

"We are extremely pleased to have Allegheny Health Network join the National Medical Network as a regional partner," said Alan Ashley, USOC chief of sport performance.

"The variety and value of services that this collaborative project will provide is a great resource for Team USA."

Allegheny becomes the fifth regional medical centre to be signed up by USOC joining the Memorial Hospital, part of University of Colorado Health and the Colorado Centre of Orthopaedic Excellence, which are both in Colorado Springs, headquarters of the USOC.

Adirondack Health in Saranac Lake and Lake Placid Sports Medicine in Lake Placid are also regional medical centres in New York while the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York was the first organisation to be designated as a National Medical Centre by the USOC.

Commenting on the new link-up, chairman of Allegheny Health Network's department of orthopaedic surgery and director of the Network's sports medicine division, Dr Patrick J Demo said: "Allegheny Health Network's sports medicine programme is committed to helping athletes of all abilities achieve their fullest potential

"It's truly an honour to be part of the National Medical Network and contribute to the health and well-being of our nation's premier athletes."

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