Customized Mask Protects Athlete's Nose

When the leading scorer for the Riverton High School Silverwolves, Morgan Grim, needed to get back on the court after a severe nose injury, SPOT practitioner Jim Liston, CP, was able to offer help. Jim custom-fabricated a shield made of heavy-duty plastic that would keep Morgan's face protected from further injury. "The mask provides security and protection," said Jim. "If he does get hit during game play, he won't get hurt. And because the mask is clear plastic molded exactly to his facial contours, it's not a hindrance or distraction to the play."

Morgan, 18, and a senior at Riverton, sustained the injury after he was run over by a teammate in the first game of the season. Although the nose wasn't broken, it was severely dislocated. As Morgan had already signed a letter of intent to play with the University of Utah, he wasn't about to let his senior year go by sitting on the sidelines. He was familiar with protective face masks from watching professional players, so he was receptive when it was suggested that he also use one to facilitate a faster return to the game.

"We talk with the Utah coaches on a weekly basis," explained Morgan's father, Scott Grim. "Utah's assistant coach Chris Jones told us the mask would be of benefit to Morgan."

After Morgan underwent a procedure to reshape his nose, Scott Grim contacted Jim Liston. Slightly more than a week after the incident, Morgan was back on the boards – and wearing the mask for the first time – he was able to score 28 points. "I do get hit a lot during games, and the mask protects me," Morgan said.

"He's been happy with it. It helps him play with confidence," Scott Grim said.

Jim, who has been providing these types of masks for several years, was able to custom-fit Morgan within a few hours. He first made an impression of Morgan's face using alginate, a gel-like material frequently used in dental molds. The gel was spread over Morgan's face, adhering to the skin, but not sticking when removed. After several minutes, plaster was poured over the gel, creating a negative impression. From the negative impression, a positive model is made by pouring plaster into the negative model. Once it sets and the negative model is peeled away, the result is a detailed facial impression. That impression is carefully modified to ensure that the at-risk areas of the face are spared from any external impact forces. Then, a sheet of clear thermo plastic is heated until it becomes pliable, and is vacuum formed over the positive model. After cooling, the mask is further modified for eyes, nostril, mouth or other patient specific needs. When finished the plastic mask fits over the face perfectly, and provides protection and a sense of security for the wearer.

"For Morgan, we built it up more over the nose area," Jim said. "The mask goes up to his forehead, so we cut out for the eyes. "It's low profile so as not to block vision, but high enough so he doesn't get hurt. The mask is held around his head with straps."

Morgan joins a number of high-profile basketball players who have worn a protective mask following a nose injury including, Bill Laimbeer and Richard "Rip" Hamilton of the Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks' Andrew Bogut, and former Utah Jazz great, Blue Edwards.

Currently Morgan is the leading scorer in boys high school basketball in the state of Utah. He has played in the NBA Top 100 Camp, and the Nike All-American Camp. Last year as a junior, Grim was the only underclassman selected to the Deseret Morning News 5A all-state first team. At the state title game, he averaged 23 points per game. He also was voted one of the top 25 players in the 400 team Las Vegas AAU Tournament in the summer of 2006.

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