Football Helmet Brand and Concussions...

A recent study suggests that helmet brand may not affect the incidence of concussion among high school football players. The study involved 2,081 players grades 9 to 12. They found that 206 players (9 percent) sustained a total of 211 concussions. There was no significant difference in concussion incidence among players wearing any one of three brands of helmet, nor was helmet age and recondition status linked to increased incidence of concussion. However, players were more likely to sustain a concussion if they wore a custom mouth guard or had a sports-related concussion in the previous 12 months.

The Weekend Warrior and Physical Changes...

The aging weekend warrior often continues to have a competitive spirit. Further, physical expectations can remain high despite a decrease in training and level of physical fitness. The weekend warrior must remember that as the body ages, some well established physical changes take place. Generally, a marked decline in athletic performance begins around age 35. For example with age, there is a decline in function of the pulmonary/lung and nervous systems. The weekend warrior must accept that these changes can result in decreased reaction time, deterioration of balance, and loss of muscle mass. While these facts are difficult to accept, acknowledgement will allow the weekend warrior to adapt expectations and hopefully create a training regime focusing on both performance and injury prevention...

The Weekend Warrior...

Around many fitness and orthopaedic circles, the term "weekend warrior" is often used. Do you ever wonder if that term applies to you? Well, the classic "weekend warrior" is a person who compresses weekly, moderate-to-vigorous activity into long durations (150 minutes or more) on only 1 to 2 days a week. The warrior is aged 45-64 years. The term is often used among orthopaedic surgeons because "weekend warriors" are at risk for various musculoskeletal injuries, such as Achilles tendon ruptures...

Being Overweight is Linked to Increased Risk of Total Knee Replacement...

The number of total knee replacement (TKR) surgeries more than tripled between 1993 and 2009, while the number of total hip replacements (THR) doubled during the same time period. A recent study found that an increase in the prevalence of being overweight and obese in the US accounted for 95% of the higher demand for knee replacements, with younger patients affected to a greater degree...

The ACL Injury Epidemic...

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a ligament located in the central aspect of the knee. The ACL is a critical stabilizer to the knee, allowing cutting, pivoting, and change of direction. There are over 300,000 ACL injuries per year in the US. These injuries can be devastating, as some studies have should only 44% of athletes are able to return to competition after ACL surgery. While men still sustain the majority of ACL injuries, the number of injuries in women continue to climb at an alarming rate. Fortunately through years of research, the orthopaedic community has developed various injury prevention programs that have been proven to decrease the rates of ACL injury.

Running Ground Strike and Injury...

Some experts have argued that runners who strike the ground heel first while running are more prone to injury. A recent study examining the Harvard cross country team showed double the rate of injury in those runners who struck with their heels...

Golfing This Summer?

Golf can be a source of moderate exercise, as walking a typical 18-hole course can involve walking 4 miles. However, golf can be associated with some common injuries. Overall, golf is considered a low risk sport. Yet some common injuries can include: low back pain, elbow injuries, wrist injuries, and shoulder injuries. Minimize your chance of injury by following these simple tips: properly warm up before a round of golf, utilize proper and efficient swing mechanics, and follow a regular exercise program all year.

Tennis Elbow Flare Up?

In the past, there has been some discussion regarding the possibility of increasing the racket's grip size to decrease tennis elbow symptoms. Investigators at the University of Southern California measured how a players' muscles contracted during a backhand swing using three different grip sizes. There was no difference in the muscle action for three different tested grip sizes. Therefore, focus more on poor swing mechanics, which is a bigger risk factor for tennis elbow...

Not "Just" An Ankle Sprain...

Ankle sprains are common and the majority are simple. An ankle sprain should never be regarded as a minor injury, as lack of orthopaedic treatment or inappropriate treatment can lead to chronic problems with recurring pain, swelling, repeat injuries, and even the development of arthritis. A thorough orthopaedic evaluation is the ideal way to develop a sound diagnosis and treatment plan. Seeking treatment often facilitates recovery and can often times prevent reinjury.