Baseball Injury Prevention
Posted on September 30, 2022 in Primary Care Sports Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, Rotator Cuff & Shoulder by Dr. Joshua Hackel
Posted on September 30, 2022 in Primary Care Sports Medicine, Regenerative Medicine, Rotator Cuff & Shoulder by Dr. Joshua Hackel
While baseball is considered a non-contact sport, injuries and conditions related to America’s favorite pastime can yield equally traumatic consequences if not correctly diagnosed and treated. Aside from painful strains, sprains and bruises, the most common injuries that players experience are overuse of the rotator cuff in the shoulder and ulnar collateral ligament tears in the elbow.
Due to the game’s repetitive nature, it’s imperative that coaches and players alike keep in mind the importance of preventative measures such as pre-season physical exams, warming up and cooling down before practices and games, and staying hydrated. Additionally, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the following:
Proper Technique:
Appropriate Equipment
Safe Environment:
Seeking Care:
The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine’s tips indicates that many injuries can be treated with active rest from sports participation until primary symptoms subside. The AOSSM further outlines the following considerations:
For those seeking treatment by Dr. Josh Hackel, players can expect a detailed exam during the initial consultation. For many patients, this includes using in-office musculoskeletal ultrasound images to assess the area of concern. As one of the first sports medicine physicians in the region to utilize ultrasound technology, Dr. Hackel is not only a sought-after clinician but an instructor as well. He teaches an annual course in partnership with the Andrews Research & Education Foundation for other physicians from around the country. If you have sustained a baseball-related injury or suffer from chronic shoulder pain, contact our office at 850.916.8783 or use our convenient online appointment form to schedule an initial consultation with our office.
A study in the journal Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise noted that the average person takes 5,117 steps per day. With so much time on our feet, Foot Health Awareness Month in April is an opportunity to focus on the health of our feet and give them the attention they deserve.
As a subset of occupational therapy, hand therapy plays a significant role in treating and improving patient outcomes related to acute and chronic conditions of the hand, wrist, elbow and shoulder. At North Florida Bone & Joint Specialists, our Certified Hand Therapists (CHTs) are board-certified in occupational therapy with an added qualification in Hand Therapy. Working with a CHT can have several benefits, including:
Youth sports participation promotes physical health and leadership skills and is a positive outlet for children within our communities. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 3.5 million youth sports injuries occur each year in the U.S. Of those injuries, one in three participants seeks medical attention, resulting in lost sports and school time. Fortunately, the CDC also concluded that more than 50 percent of these injuries are preventable.