INJURY PREVENTION & EDUCATION
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Should Athletes Play through Pain?
The “gladiator” mentality throughout sports history has been widely celebrated and glorified. For avid sports fans such as myself, we can remember those seemingly impossible performances by such revered modern-day warriors as the late, great Kobe Bryant, shooting and making two free throws after tearing his Achilles.
Is there such a thing as too much exercise?
News flash: Exercise is good for you. But is there such a thing as too much exercise? That’s a question raised by the exponential growth in ultra-endurance athletics, such as ultramarathon running and extra-long triathlons. According to one report, worldwide participation in ultrarunning increased almost 1700% from the late 1990s to 2020.
How Some Sports Injuries Can Cause Arthritis at an Early Age
Your high school soccer career ended with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and knee surgery. Now, 20 years later, you’re experiencing increasing pain in that same knee and the doctor diagnoses the problem as post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).
De Quervain's Tenosynovitis: Understanding Wrist Pain
As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and hand surgeon, I frequently encounter patients struggling with radial-sided (thumb) wrist pain. A common culprit behind the pain is an ailment known as De Quervain’s tenosynovitis. This inflammatory condition can significantly impact hand grip and, as a result, many activities of daily living. Let’s delve into the causes, symptoms, and, most importantly, the treatment options available to get people experiencing De Quervain’s tenosynovitis back to pain-free living.
Hormonal Birth Control Might Reduce Female Athletes’ ACL Tears
Female athletes are two to eight times more likely to tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) than their male counterparts performing the same sport at the same level. They are also at greater risk for other ligament and tendon injuries, such as ankle sprains. One factor that may contribute to this difference is hormones. So, could hormonal birth control such as the pill—which stops the release of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone—help reduce the risk of injuries for female athletes?
Gender Differences Mean More Knee Injuries for Females
Though men and women are equal, they're not the same—and that includes their knees. Those differences contribute to women athletes being more than twice as likely to tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) as men, a figure that varies by sport. Female basketball players have a 3.5 times greater incidence of ACL tears compared to their male counterparts, and 2.8 times greater for soccer.
ACL Tears in Girls and Women Athletes
Medical experts are still learning why certain groups are more prone to sports injuries than others. Women and girls—especially those who play soccer, basketball or softball—are more likely than boys and men to tear the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), knee tissue that connects the thighbone to the shin and requires surgery to heal.
Safety Tips for Avoiding Injury When Beginning to Exercise
Living healthier, personal improvement and weight loss top many Americans’ New Year’s Resolution lists this year. This is undoubtedly a season of renewed focus on exercise and fitness for millions of people.
Why are Women More Prone to Knee Injuries?
Anatomical and hormonal differences may be to blame, but there are ways to help reduce the risk. More recent research has indicated what we orthopedic surgeons have often seen in our practice: women are 2 to 9 times more likely than men to have certain kinds of knee problems. Generally, knee injuries are very common, especially for anyone who plays sports, and they can affect any of the ligaments, tendons, cartilage, menisci, or bones surrounding the knee joint. The complexity of the knee joint and the fact that it is a weight-bearing joint add to its fragility and tendency for injury.
Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is an overuse injury that leads to pain in the forearm and elbow. Despite its name, tennis elbow can happen after doing many different activities, not just working on your backhand. To find out more about tennis elbow treatment and prevention, we talked to Dr. Kenton Fibel, sports medicine physician with Ceders Sinai Orthopaedics.
Achilles Tendon Tears – 3 Commonly Asked Questions
From an anatomical standpoint, the Achilles tendon can be highly underappreciated until something goes wrong with it. This strong cord of fibrous tissue connects the muscles from the back of the calf to the heel bone in each leg, and it is used with every step you take. Achilles tendon tears are most commonly seen in athletes – both professional and recreational, especially middle-aged “weekend warriors.”
How to Keep Your Knees Strong and Healthy
Despite being the largest joint in the human body, the knee can be underappreciated when it comes to daily exercise. After all, if you ask most folks what their workout routines consist of, they will probably tell you they do squats and lunges for glute and quad toning, planks and crunches for abdominal muscle strengthening and bicep and triceps curls for arm definition.
Sleep – The secret weapon of Athletes
As a sports neurologist, I witness firsthand the incredible dedication and rigorous training athletes employ to achieve peak performance in their chosen sport. However, one critical factor often overlooked by many athletes (and non-athletes) is the crucial role of sleep.
Rotator Cuff: 10 Questions on Cause, Diagnosis, Treatment, & Recovery
Shoulder pain from a rotator cuff injury can significantly disrupt your daily activities or favorite sports. This common condition, especially among athletes and older adults, can cause significant discomfort and limit mobility. This article will answer ten frequently asked questions about rotator cuff injuries, exploring everything from causes and diagnosis to treatment options and recovery tips. With knowledge and proper guidance, you can conquer shoulder pain and return to living an active life.