Blog Postings
Does an ACL Injury Mean Surgery is in My Near Future?
Ah, the dreaded ACL injury … a nightmare scenario for active people – from the professional athlete to the high school soccer star to the weekend warrior. Consider this: Approximately 200,000 ACL-related injuries occur each year in the U.S. and about 100,000 ACL reconstructions are performed on an annual basis. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)…..
Can Rotator Cuff Injuries Heal on their Own?
A common question I hear from patients at least a few times a week is, “Can my rotator cuff tear be treated without surgery?” It’s a simple question with a not-so-simple answer… Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear can be managed non-surgically with an ongoing course of anti-inflammatories (i.e., ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), cortisone injections and…..
Knee Pain… The Most Common Culprits and When to Consult a Doctor?
Whether you are 18 or 88, knee pain does not discriminate when it comes to age. In fact, about 1 in 17 people visit their doctor every year due to some form of knee pain. It makes sense considering your knees are the largest joints in your body, they support the majority of your weight,…..
Add a Secret Weapon to your Home Sports Medicine Arsenal
If sports, work and activity related aches and pains have got you down, try foam rolling. It’s a cheap, convenient tool to help relieve sore, achy body parts, such as the shoulders, hamstrings, knees, calves and back. And if done correctly, it really helps! Most overuse pain is due to muscle irritation and spasm, which…..
Importance of ACL Prevention Training
Proper muscle control is essential to minimize risk of knee injury from jumping, cutting, and twisting motions in sports. Research shows this is particularly true for female athletes. A recent study of elite female soccer players in Sweden and published this year highlighted the value of ACL prevention training and the role poor body mechanics…..
“Heads Up” Program Lowers Rate of Concussion in High School Football
With football season right around the corner, thoughts are returning to the ever-present challenge of player safety. A study presented at this year’s Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons in San Diego gave encouraging results for limiting concussion risk in high school football. A new curriculum from USA Football known as “Heads…..
ACL Tears Growing in Teen Girls; Preventive Exercises Are Key
A new study reports that ACL injury rates are raising exponentially in teen girls who play sports. Specifically, the study analyzed 148 million people in the United States, and found that the average annual ACL surgery rate climbed 22 percent from 2002 to 2014. However, for teen girls, the average annual knee surgery rate escalated…..
Runner’s Knee 101
Yes, it is true… runner’s knee is most often caused from running…and other sports or exercise related activity. Medically referred to as patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS), this condition in marked by pain in the front of the knee and/or around the knee cap (patella). The pain can ebb and flow – sometimes sharp, other times…..
The Dreaded ACL Tear… A Sports-Ending Injury or Minor Set-Back?
An ACL injury can be a devastating blow to an athlete or active person. While this type of injury used to end sports careers, thanks to advancements in arthroscopic ACL surgery and patients’ willingness to conduct proper rehabilitation and physical therapy, it’s not all doom and gloom. In fact, studies show that most athletes return…..
Protecting Active Shoulders from Rotator Cuff Tears
Do you find yourself plagued with recurrent pain and soreness around the shoulder? The culprit may be your rotator cuff tendons. Often thought of as an issue that only affects baseball pitchers, rotator cuff problems are actually far more common in active adults. Physical activities can place excessive stress on the rotator cuff tendons. These…..