Kyle Kosik, Ph.D., ATC joined the University of Kentucky in July 2020 as an Assistant Research Professor in the Department of Athletic Training and Clinical Nutrition. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Athletic Training in 2012 from Illinois State University and a Masters of Education in Kinesiology – Sports Medicine from the University of Virginia in 2013. Dr. Kosik received a Ph.D. in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Kentucky in 2017, where he then completed his post-doctoral training.
Dr. Kosiks’s research agenda focuses on understanding how the current treatment for lower extremity joint injuries fail to prevent individuals from presenting with neuromuscular dysfunction and biomechanics adaptations that are responsible for causing lifelong disability and post-traumatic osteoarthritis. His previous work has primarily relied on an acute lateral ankle sprain as a model to examine these underlying mechanisms by incorporating a variety of laboratory testing techniques, while also utilizing clinical- and patient-reported outcomes. Dr. Kosik examines these pathways after an acute lateral ankle sprain because it is the most common joint injury among the general population and within the physically active community (e.g., athletes, military). However, most individuals never seek medical treatment at the time of injury because it is perceived as a benign injury with few consequences. Unfortunately, only 50-85% of people return to their normal activity within 3 years of their ankle sprains. Persons that do not fully recovery typically complain of chronic pain, perceived instability, become less physically active, suffer a recurrent injury, and reporting having worse, physical, mental, and social-health related quality of life.
Dr. Kosik’s recent research has shown that the majority (>75%) of people who do seek medical treatment for an acute lateral ankle sprain are prescribed medication. Disturbing, opioids accounted for more than 30% of all medications prescribed. Additionally, Dr. Kosik has documented very few (<15%) of people who seek medical treatment for an acute lateral ankle sprain are referred for physical therapy. Instead, people are given instructions to weight bear as tolerated and left to manage their symptoms using the prescribed medication (e.g., opioids). Therefore, Dr. Kosik’s research includes the use of Telehealth to minimize the exposure to medication and provide timely access to physical therapy after an acute lateral ankle sprain. Telehealth is a novel method of care delivery that enables patients to receive the standard of care by using live-video sessions to provide education on non-pharmacological pain management strategies and instructions on therapeutic exercises to restore normal function.
