‘Sports injury’ Archives

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Robert Griffin III ACL Reconstruction

posted on January 12th, 2013, by . Comments Off posted so far.

With NFL fans and the popularity of  Robert Griffin III, the question has been raised, how will RG III do after knee surgery? And will he be able to match the speedy recovery of Adrian Peterson?
According to reports Dr. James Andrews repaired Griffin’s anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments on Wednesday January 9, 2013. The average return to sport with ACL reconstruction is in the 1-2 year range. But with today’s advanced techniques the outcomes have gotten better and better. Injuries which were once career ending are now just a 1 year hiatus from the game.

When considering when RG III will return to NFL football, there are many, many factors to consider. In my opinion here are a few of the  main considerations for a full recovery:

  1. How did the surgery go? 5 hours is a long time.  How much damage was there?  How good was the repair.  Will there be any post surgical complications like infections.
  2. The rehab: How efficiently and effectively will the Doctors, Physical Therapists and rehab team communicate, work together and inspire each other to succeed.
  3. Good fortune.
  4. The heart and drive of the player and his rehab team.

Moving too fast or too slow can impair progress. And coming back too soon can lead to re-injury or even new injuries.

So by now the rehab process should have begun, with physical therapy well underway.  The early recovery seeks to heal the acute affects of surgery swelling, lack of motion, and lack of muscle firing, while protecting the repair. The second phase of recovery involves strengthening, coordination, balance and muscle re-education. In the third phase,  strengthening, conditioning, coordination and agility are progressed, while in the forth phase the player moves into functional training and conditioning in preparation for return to sport. Each phase has criteria for advancement. In the end, successful completion of each phase of recovery and timely progression to the next will determine his return to football.

“When adversity strikes you respond in one of two ways….You step aside and give in..Or you step up and fight.” Robert Griffin III

Given his attitude, determination and strength of character,  I’d bet on Griffin III’s return to football to be sooner than later. I wish him well and look forward to see him back on the field. He seems to be a great role model, and a great asset to the NFL.

For more information on ACL reconstruction and rehab, like us on Facebook , follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.

photo credit: Richard Lipski, AP

filed under ACL injury, Athletes, Physical Therapy, Sports injury.

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Pitching and Tommy John Surgery. Is Your Child Next?

posted on May 2nd, 2012, by . Comments Off posted so far.

From 1996 to ’99, Dr. Andrews performed Tommy John surgery on 164 pitchers, 19 of whom were high school aged or younger. From 2004 to ’07, those numbers had increased to 588 total pitchers and 146 high school or youth league players — a sevenfold increase.

The recent 18 inning battle between Jesuit and Rummel in baseball has gotten a lot of national attention lately, and not just because of how good the game was. Each starting pitcher threw over 150 pitches. And as a result the question of pitch count has come up again.  How many pitches are too many?

The research has found the following results:

  • Pitchers aged 9-14 throwing 75-99 pitches/game have 52% increased risk for shoulder pain
  • There is a 234% increased risk of elbow pain with 600-800 pitches/season
  • 80 pitches/game leads to 4x greater chance of requiring elbow/shoulder surgery
  • Competitive pitching for greater than 8 months/year leads to 5x greater chance of requiring elbow/shoulder surgery
  • Fatigued pitchers have a 36x greater chance of injury

These stats should be alarming, especially if your child is playing travel ball or on multiple baseball teams. Throwers are limited by their throwing mechanics, their  strength, their stability, and their physical maturity. Too much throwing can certainly leave a player at risk for permanent damage.

But like any learned activity pitching improves with practice. And more repetitions can help the athlete to become proficient. Unfortunately with repetition comes the risk of overuse injuries. And so for athletes there is always a balance between doing enough to master their craft, and doing too much causing injury and damage.

For us in the injury prevention and rehabilitation, the question is how can we help protect athletes and make them more suited for their athletic activity. One clear step is to develop more educated parents and players.

The first way for a parent to help their child avoid injury is to get involved in the process. Give your child the tools he needs to succeed and pay close attention to your child’s behavior. Here are 4 ways to help limit your child’s risk of throwing injury:

  1. A physical evaluation: Strength, flexibility, muscle balance, and coordination are all keys for good pitching mechanics. A physical therapist, an orthopedist, or an athletic trainer with experience in sports medicine would be a great start to identify potential weaknesses.
  2. Technical training: Good throwing mechanics are essential. Have a specific throwing/pitching evaluation from a knowledgeable coach.  Someone who has experience at least at the college level is recommended. But do your home work and select your coach wisely.
  3. Regular monitoring- injury checks:  Have your child’s arm assessed regularly throughout the season. More often as soreness and the season goes on. A physical therapist, orthopedist, or athletic trainer who is active with sports medicine and rehabilitation can be very helpful in determining how much your child should be throwing.
  4. Stay engaged: Bottom line is that as a parent you need to be engaged and pay attention. Children want to perform, they want to please, and they want to perform well. Sometimes to their own detriment.  You know your child better than anyone else. Don’t be afraid to step in and get help.

For a FREE consult,  more information on throwing, injures and specific training,  call or stop by our office, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Here are 2 great resources for more information on pitching injuries:

ASMI.org

stopsportsinjuries.org

filed under Baseball Training, Sports injury.

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Prevent Running Injuries and Muscle Imbalances

posted on March 20th, 2012, by . Comments Off posted so far.

If you could correct for the variables that make you vulnerable to running injuries, would you?

Most runners like to do one thing… Run!

But the act of distance running lends itself to muscle imbalances which can lead to movement dysfunction, overuse, and injury.

Common imbalances for runners include:

  • Hip flexor tightness
  • Lower back tightness
  • Calf tightness

These imbalances can lead to what is called lower crossed syndrome, a movement dysfunction where tightness in one muscle group causes weakness and overstretching in the opposing muscles. So as the hip flexor muscles become tight, the gluteals become weak.  Likewise, as the low back muscles become tight, the lower abdominal muscles become weak. Uncorrected, these imbalances can set you up to be on the sidelines for the next race.

To avoid lower crossed syndrome and the aches and pains that go along with it, add these exercises to your routine:

  1. Hip flexor stretch
  2. Soleus stretch
  3. Bridges
  4. Posterior pelvic tilt
  5. Cat and Camel

1. Hip Flexor Stretch: Hold a arms together overhead. While in tall 1/2 kneeling position, reach arms up and towards the left. Rotate towards the up knee to feel a stretch in the front of the right leg. 15 sec hold, 3 reps.

2. Calf stretch: In 1/2 kneeling position, shift weight forward to feel a stretch in the back of the lower calf. Make sure to keep your heel down. Hold 15 sec, 3 reps.

3. Single leg bridge: While lying on back, perform a 2 legged bridge, then extend one leg. Hold for 30 sec each leg, 3 times each.

4. Posterior pelvic tilt: lie on back, press your lower back to the floor by pulling in your lower abdominal muscles.  Repeat for 10 repetitions holding for 10 seconds.

5. Cat/Camel: while in a hands and knees position, pull lower abdominal muscles in to round out your low back, then allow your back to sag. Repeat 10-15 times.

For more information on running, overuse injuries, and training techniques like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.


filed under Overuse injuries, Run Training, Running, Sports injury.

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Prevent Running Injuries With Kinesiology Tape

posted on March 13th, 2012, by . Comments Off posted so far.

During the Rock N Roll Marathon & 1/2 Marathon Expo, Baudry Therapy Center had the opportunity to work with the Spider Tech team in demonstrating kinesiotaping taping techniques. We saw runners of all shapes and sizes completing their final preparation for the marathon.  For these runners, the anticipation of the race was palpable. Runners came out in droves for last minute advice on race preparation.

Kinesiology tape can have the following benefits for distance runners:

  • it provides structural support to the muscles and joints,
  • it provides neurological support to improve muscle firing, and
  • it improves local circulation to reduce inflammation and muscle fatigue.

There are several brands of kinesiology tape, all with similar properties.

To find out if kinesiology tape could help you, call or stop by our office.

For more running tips see our blog, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Image via Flickr: hojusaram


filed under Run Training, Running, Sports injury.

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Prevent Injuries With Biomechanical Running Evaluations

posted on March 8th, 2012, by . Comments Off posted so far.

After 19 years in physical therapy, one thing is clear- most distance runners will eventually suffer injuries. The repetitive nature of running significantly increases a runner’s chances for overuse injury. These injuries usually have underlying causes that could have been prevented. A biomechanical evaluation provides an excellent blue print of your body’s movement patterns and can provide a plan to avoid injury.

The 4 common factors that contribute to a running injury:

Muscle Imbalance

Running can result in muscle imbalances. Low back muscles, hip flexors, quads, and calf muscles become dominant and overpower the lesser-used, opposing muscles. These imbalances gradually cause deviations in running form and posture, leading to weak, vulnerable joints and muscles.

Joint restriction

Previous injuries, daily habits, and lifestyles can create limitations in joint mobility. Limitations in joint mobility or ROM, cause movement compensations. With compensation creases asymmetrical forces on the body lending itself to injury.

Postural weakness

Weakness in the core or postural muscles lends itself to overuse injury. Postural muscles provide stability for our limbs to move. Without postural stability, our limbs are vulnerable to all kinds of injuries.

Overtraining

Overtraining can be a source for injury. As we fatigue, our form deteriorates. When our form deteriorates, our bodies are at a much greater risk for injury. Trying to push too hard or run too long can do more to halt your progress than help you out. Know your limits and check your form while training.

Good news! With proper education and an understanding of the body mechanics of running, runners can limit and manage injuries. No runner wants to be told to lay off running!

A good biomechanical analysis of running, along with a functional movement screen, can provide a runner with great insight into injury prevention. Identifying the muscle imbalances, joint imbalances, and other limiting restrictions is the first step to a successful running plan. Without a plan, these factors may contribute to a running injury. Often these injuries could be avoided with a good biomechanical evaluation and intervention. A physical therapist is a great resource to manage the stresses of running, in order to keep you on the road.

If you love running, you owe it to yourself to develop a plan. Let our physical therapists provide you with the tools for success, and come in for a running evaluation. If you would like to schedule a biomechanical running evaluation, please contact our office. For more information on running, injury prevention, and training techniques like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.

Image via flickr: mikebaird


filed under Run Training, Running, Sports injury.

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Run Training- 5 Ways to Avoid Overuse Injuries

posted on March 7th, 2012, by . Comments Off posted so far.

RUNNERS, DON’T LET AN OVERUSE INJURY STOP YOU IN YOUR TRACKS!

If you are a runner, you have probably suffered an injury. Most running injuries are caused by overuse. There are 5 key contributing factors in overuse injuries.

To prevent overuse injuries that interfere with your running, follow this training advice:

Training Distances

Most runners use mileage goals such as the next half marathon or Crescent City Classic to get motivated. Having a goal in mind is a great way to stay focused, but make sure that you have the time to prepare for the event. Starting distances will be limited by your endurance. Beginners, increase your overall weekly mileage by about 10%. Advanced runners may be able to increase a little faster but should be careful. Beginners should limit their run training to 3 days per week.  Advanced runners can train up to 4 days per week. While this sounds conservative, it will likely land you safely at your destination.

Training Intensity

Altering training intensity is a great way to improve performance. When intensity increases, however, frequency must decrease. Limit yourself to 1 high-intensity running workout per week. Plan for 1 day at the track each week to work on speed, power, and stride length with short, measureable distances. Utilizing 1 high-intensity training session per week will allow your body to gain strength and power for better performance.

Muscular and Joint Imbalances

The repetitive nature of running lends itself to tight calf muscles, hip flexors, and low back extensors, among other areas. As these muscles become shortened and tight, the opposing muscles become lengthened and weak. These imbalances cause alterations to the running form and can lead to injuries. Work to stretch these shortened muscle groups regularly after running. Also work to strengthen opposing muscle groups to keep good muscle and joint balance.

Adequate Rest

Many runners run too hard and too fast. They get inspired, love the feeling they get after running, and over train. Rest is one of the most important aspects of training. Your body needs time to rest and re-build from the stress of running. Beginners should limit running to 3 times per week, advanced runners no more than 4 times per week.

Recovery

Proper recovery includes physical rest, proper nutrition, and hydration. If you are going to be training, your body needs the tools to help you recover: nutrition supplements, a healthy diet, protein, and water. A registered dietitian is a good source to learn more about foods essential to recovery.

Overuse injuries will really cramp your style- they are difficult to heal and often interfere with your training. Avoid overuse injuries!

For more information on running, overuse injuries, and training techniques like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or contact our office.

Image credit: San Diego Shooter


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filed under Overuse injuries, post-run recovery, Run Training, Running, Sports injury.

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Strength Training for Baseball Pitchers

posted on March 6th, 2012, by . Comments Off posted so far.

Overhand throwing, whether for baseball or football, places unique demands on the shoulder joint – this most crucial for baseball pitchers. The first training consideration any pitcher should have is the health and stability of their shoulder. The act of throwing places considerable stresses on the shoulder that can lead to the development of muscle imbalances and injuries. Pitchers and quarterbacks can incorporate these simple exercises into their warm-up to improve shoulder health.

Coaches also need to consider shoulder health when implementing a strength program for throwers. Many athletes, especially in high school, tend to work the muscles they can see more often. Throwers need to develop many muscle groups, including muscles they can’t see when they look into a mirror. This means developing the supportive muscles of the back. Two great exercises for developing strength in the area are seated rows and pullups. I recommend doing two sets of pulling exercises for every set of pressing exercises you perform.

Throwers also require tremendous leg, hip, and core strength to meet the needs of their sport. Increased leg drive can be achieved by incorporating lower body exercises like squats, lunges, and deadlifts. In order to achieve better hip strength you can perform lateral plyometrics like the ones in this video. Core strength is involved in all the above mentioned lifts but can further be improved up by the inclusion of planks, bridge variations, and rotational ball throws. Incorporating these exercises into any thrower’s workout program will help prevent injuries and increase the athlete’s throwing power.

For additional information, check out these videos on baseball injury prevention and throwing dynamics.

Image credit: via flickr chemisti


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filed under Baseball Training, Sports injury.

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Postural Exercises for the Runner

posted on January 18th, 2012, by . 2 Comments posted so far.

Typically, when we discuss injury or injury prevention as it relates to running our focus is mainly on the lower extremities.  However, what happens in the upper body is equally as important. Incorporating shoulder, neck and upper back exercises in your post-run stretching and general strengthening routine, can enhance not only your running performance, but also your overall posture and function in everyday activities.

As your distance increases, you are spending more time in the running-type posture, with shoulders slightly rounded head tilting forward and arms swinging repetitively. The problem with this body position is that is places undo pressure on the top of the shoulder and compromises mobility in the neck. As a result, some of you may have noticed intermittent discomfort in your neck or shoulders after a long run.

Below, I have listed some exercises that will help remedy this problem.  As we have discussed in the past with lower extremity injuries, the focus of these exercises is to strengthen the areas that are weak and lengthen the areas that are tight.  As is the case with most runners (and the general adult population) the anterior muscles of the shoulder and chest have a tendency to become short and tight.   The muscles between the shoulder blades tend to become long and weak.

The following exercises are designed to tackle both of these issues and enhance your postural strength for running and everyday life.

Pectoral Stretch

Use a foam roller or large rolled up beach towel to help stretch out your pectoral muscles

Place the roller along the spine supporting the head.  Bring arms out to your side with palms facing the ceiling.  Relax and hold this position for 3-5 minutes.

Prone Shoulder Blade Squeezes

Lie on your stomach with arms by your side, supporting your forehead with a towel roll.  Bring your shoulder blades down in the back and squeeze them together.  Hold 5-10 seconds each and repeat 10 times

Side-lying Trunk Rotation

Lie on your side with knees bent up towards your chest.  Rotate your trunk reaching your arm towards the wall behind you.  Hold for 15 seconds and repeat 3 times each side.

Seated Chin Tucks

Sit in a chair with feet flat on the floor, using good posture.  Bring your chin straight back creating a “double chin” appearance.  You should feel a stretch in the back of the neck close to the base of the head.

If you have any questions about your running fitness routine, give us a call.


filed under Run Training, Running, Sports injury.

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3 for Thursday – Sean Payton Injury – Tibial Plateau Fractures Explained

posted on October 20th, 2011, by . Comments Off posted so far.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL - FEBRUARY 05: Head coach...

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

By now most of us have seen the video of New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham crashing into Coach Sean Payton. It was a pretty ugly collision. The amazing thing was that he was so focused on the next call that he didn’t even see it coming. That’s concentration!

The preliminary report from the Saints doctors is that the surgery went well. But that by no means means that he is out of the woods. Now comes the hard part. Sean Payton will need extensive physical therapy to rehab the leg and get back to the sidelines.

Tibial plateau fractures rank high on the list of difficult injuries to recover from. A tibial plateau fracture is a break in the upper part of the lower leg bone. This fracture not only affects the bone, but also affects the knee joint.  This type of injury can include tears to the ligaments of the knee including the ACL (Anterior cruciate ligament), PCL (Posterior Cruciate Ligament), MCL (Medial collateral ligament), or LCL (lateral collateral ligament). Fortunately for Payton it appears that only the MCL was involved, which usually heals well. The thing that will be of particular concern for the near future, will be the overall function of the knee, and the potential for arthritis.

Picture from   http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/tibial-plateua-fracture.htm

Here’s how the process will work. Payton’s fracture required surgery to stabilize the fracture. Now it is time for the healing to take place. Physical therapy will start right away working to reduce inflammation, pain, and promote healing. Therapy will focus on restoring full joint range of motion and activating the leg muscles. This is done with manual therapy, stretching and exercise. Coach Payton will be non-weight bearing, walking with crutches for at least 6-8 weeks to allow for the bone to heal. From there, the process will involve more stretching, strengthening and conditioning to restore the normal function of the knee and leg. This will be no simple task and will take months or longer. Here is a basic protocol for progression for an injury such as Sean Payton’s. My guess is that there will be many coaches meetings in the physical therapy clinic.

My advise to Coach Payton is to find a good physical therapist, trust them, take their advice, and be patient. Injuries like these take time to heal. Compliance early on will help him speed through the phases of healing and avoid long term complications.

For more information on tibial plateau fractures and rehab, please contact us.

Additional Resource for Tibial Plateau Fractures

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filed under ACL injury, MCL injury, Physical Therapy, Sports injury.

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Performance Training – How to Identify Overtraining Injuries

posted on August 30th, 2011, by . Comments Off posted so far.

Too much of a good thing might not be great. Many of you have taken the challenge to get in better shape, compete in a sport or competition, or reach for personal fitness goals. We applaud you for your effort and think it is great! We encourage our clients daily to reach for their goals. Unfortunately, some find injury and setbacks due to overtraining.

Overtraining occurs when we push too much, too fast , and for too long. Each workout puts stress on the body. That stress stimulates the body to to respond by rebuilding the tissue stronger. The body is very good at responding to the stresses we put on it. The problem comes when the breakdown process of the exercise or activity, outpaces the bodies ability to heal and recover. When this occurs, injury, performance lulls and even illness can follow. Often, our minds are ahead of our body’s abilities.

Are you training and having any of the following symptoms?

1) Mood changes.

2) Persistent aching in the joints and muscles.

3) Increased frequency of illness.

4) A drop in performance level.

5) Drop in enthusiasm or passion for the activity.

6) Loss of sleep.

If so, you may be suffering the effects of overtraining. The key to avoiding the performance training injuries is to recognize the warning signs. Although we may be working out with good intentions, it is easy to fall into the trap of overtraining. We adopt the “if a little bit is good, more must be better” philosophy. A little success breeds the drive for more. So we push a harder expecting greater improvement only to find the opposite. Unfortunately, improvement takes time. Our bodies have limits, depending on our current level of conditioning, age, and ability. No matter what the activity, knowing the right amounts to push or train is important. Recognize the signs of overtraining, and train smarter and more effectively.

If you would like more information on performance training and how to train efficiently and effectively, please contact our office, or respond through the comments section.

For more tips like these just follow Baudry Therapy Center on Twitter, or like Baudry Therapy on Facebook.

Rich Baudry

Photo credit: VinceHuang

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filed under Aches and Pains, Exercise, Overuse injuries, Performance Training, Sports injury.

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