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| Orthopedic Surgeon Offers Tips For Avoiding Throwing Injuries In Young Athletes |
| 05.30.08 (2:08 pm) [edit] |
As the weather begins to warm, major leaguers are not the only athletes reporting to spring training. Chicago's south suburbs are home to one of the largest collections of youth sports clubs in the country. With baseball season approaching, area physicians anticipate seeing an increase in shoulder and elbow injuries in young athletes. "Over-use injuries are a very common problem for young athletes, particularly throwing athletes," explained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Gregory Primus, M.D., of Advocate South Suburban Hospital in Hazel Crest, Ill. "Athletes, parents, and coaches can take steps to prevent over-use injuries by recognizing the symptoms and understanding the importance of proper technique."
Over-use injuries can occur in any sport, but are particularly common in young baseball pitchers whose bodies are still developing. "Pitching is not a natural movement for the arm and forces stress on both the elbow and shoulder," Dr. Primus explained. "Throwing a high pitch count that is unregulated can cause damage and inflammation to the growth plates in the arm. This is known as little leaguer's elbow or shoulder."
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS) this condition occurs when repetitive throwing creates an excessively strong pull on the tendons and ligaments of the elbow or shoulder. Continued pulling can stress the ligament and tendons attachments to bone resulting in abnormal bone growth, small tears, or at worst deformity.
"When little league elbow occurs, there is pain on the inside of the elbow," Primus explained. "At the first sign of pain or any restriction in the range of motion, the player should consult a sports medicine physician. Another symptom to note is if the child's elbow joint locks when he or she throws."
In rare cases, it may be necessary to discontinue pitching for a short period in order to prevent further damage and start the healing process. "Over-use injuries can be serious if the condition is not addressed early," Dr. Primus said. "If the child does not take a break from throwing, his or her future ability to play the sport may be jeopardized. Serious complications can arise if the arm is not rested and treated."
In most cases, over-use injuries can be treated with rest and icing of the affected area. "The athlete must not resume the activity until the pain is entirely gone," said Dr. Primus. "Apply an ice pack to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes, four to five times a day until the pain dissipates."
A physical therapy plan will aid healing and get the child back in the game. "The child should work with his or her doctor to develop a plan with both strengthening and range of motion exercises," Dr. Primus said. "When returning to throwing, the child must ease into the activity. The coach should be involved with developing a plan to gradually increase the numbers of pitches the player can make." In extreme cases, some children may require surgery to repair damage. "Prevention is really key in avoiding over-use injuries," Dr. Primus said. "Young athletes need to be trained in proper technique and form. They should always warm-up and stretch their muscles before pitching in practice or a game."
Pitchers must limit the number of pitches that are thrown in a week. While there are not nationally standardized limits, most club leagues have set guidelines. "Coaches need to carefully track of the number of pitches thrown by young players," explained Dr. Primus.
Primus also wants to remind young athletes to play for fun and not let competitiveness get in the way of safety. "Club sports are very competitive and some athletes might not speak up if they are feeling pain because they don't want to miss playing time," said Dr. Primus. "What they have to remember is that the longer they wait to treat an injury, the more serious it will become. In the end, this is going to lead to even more missed playing time."
To make an appointment with Dr. Primus, or another Advocate South Suburban Hospital physician, call 1-800-3-ADVOCATE (1-800-323-8622). Advocate South Suburban Hospital is a 289-bed, acute care facility that serves Chicago's south suburbs. In addition to offering a wide array of hospital services, the not-for-profit facility provides free screenings and a variety of other outreach services throughout the community. As part of Advocate Health Care, Advocate South Suburban Hospital can be reached at http://www.advocatehealth.com/southsub" title="http://www.advocatehealth.com/southsub" target="_blank"http://www.advocatehealth.com....
Advocate South Suburban Hospital
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| Neurologic And Orthopedic Institute: One Of The First In The Country To Offer Custom-Fit Total Knee Replacement |
| 05.30.08 (2:07 pm) [edit] |
Baby boomers who have it all, including custom clothes and sports equipment, are now beating the physical signs of old age with custom body parts, including knees. Patients with degenerative knee conditions can now benefit from custom-fit knee replacements that are tailored to an individual's unique body mechanics, size and gender variations.
Dr. Mitchell Sheinkop, orthopedic surgeon at the Neurologic and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago, is one of the first in the country to offer custom-fit total knee replacement. With this new technology, Sheinkop can precisely match the size and placement of the implant to the patient's unique and normal (non-arthritic) knee anatomy. Developed by California-based OtisMed Corporation, this new custom-fit approach enables surgeons to preserve more bone and ligaments, allowing for better implant fit and alignment. Learn more about Dr. Sheinkop here.
As compared to regular knee replacements, patients with "custom knees" will experience a quicker and less painful recovery, increased range of motion, and a greater ease in outdoor activities such as golfing, biking and gardening.
"We'd like to see boomers remain active well into old age," says Sheinkop. "A knee replacement doesn't have to mean a lifestyle with limits. I've seen patients continue very active lives with this new technology."
View videos of Dr. Sheinkop speaking about hip education, hip resurfacing, knee education and treatment at http://www.neuro-ortho.org/orthopedic/joint-repl acement.htm" title="http://www.neuro-ortho.org/orthopedic/joint-repl acement.htm" target="_blank"http://www.neuro-ortho.org/or....
The custom-fit total knee replacement is achieved in four easy steps. Prior to surgery, an MRI is performed to take very precise measurements of the patient's arthritic knee. Then, proprietary computer software creates a 3-D image of that knee, and virtually corrects the deformity to return the knee to its pre-arthritic state. Third, a computerized 3-D image of the implant to be used in the patient's surgery is then Shape-Matched to the anatomically correct virtual knee model. This helps determine the correct implant size and placement, based on the patient's normal knee anatomy. Last, using all of this information, special cutting guides are created for the surgeon to use during the procedure. These patient-specific cutting guides, which are accurate to within a few millimeters, indicate to the surgeon exactly where to make bone cuts so that the knee replacement is customized for the individual patient.
On Wed., Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., The Neurologic and Orthopedic Institute of Chicago will perform its first custom-fit knee replacement. The lucky recipient will be 59-year old Frank Dorgan of Chicago, who suffers from osteoarthritis, osteomyelitis and restless leg syndrome.
The Neurologic & Orthopedic Institute of Chicago is the country's first freestanding acute care hospital dedicated exclusively to neuroscience and orthopedic services. It utilizes breakthrough technology and minimally invasive techniques as well as advanced procedures for neurosurgery, orthopedics, pain management, neuro-oncology, sports medicine and rehabilitation.
http://www.neuro-ortho.org" title="http://www.neuro-ortho.org" target="_blank"http://www.neuro-ortho.org
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