In a previous post we highlighted the importance of a dynamic warm up to gradually increase cardiovascular work, improve mobility, decrease injury risk, and improve performance. Conversely, traditional static stretching has been shown to reduce run, sprint, and jump performance in athletes. Clearly, these static holds should be held until an athlete’s cool down period after...
Physical Therapists’ education, training, and skill set allows our profession to uniquely evaluate and treat the needs of both acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. In this role we have consistently demonstrated great patient outcomes at a lower cost than others members of the healthcare team. Education is one of the most important interventions we can...
Have a student athlete that is injured, or always seems to run into issues as the season ramps up? At Mend, we are dedicated to keeping our young athletes healthy. One of the tragic consequences of sustaining an injury or experiencing pain as a young athlete is becoming the adult that doesn’t run, ski, hike,...
Over the last few years there has been a spike in athletic injuries in our community’s youth and adolescent athletes. Authors believe the spike can be blamed in part on the pressure placed on young athletes by their parents and coaches to specialize in sports early in their childhood. Specialization is described as intensive year...
Shoulder and elbow injuries are on the rise among youth and professional baseball players. Our previous post on baseball injuries detailed the risk of future injury if an athlete has lost range of motion in his shoulder prior to the season. In particular, emphasis has been placed on the amount of internal rotation (hand behind lower...
Are you wondering when it will happen to you? Not what , but when will you feel pain or develop an injury? Can you determine your injury risk? The answer is YES! There are screening tools that allow athletes to assess their injury risk. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) is a valid indicator of injury...
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure-Benjamin Franklin As warmer weather returns, many of us will increase our physical activity each week in an effort to improve our health, well-being, and physical performance. A common question asked in our clinic by our patients and clients recovering from an injury is “could...
Athletic Injuries More than 10,000 athletes seek treatment for sports, recre- ation, and exercise based injuries on a daily basis(12). 7 million Americans received medical attention for sports and athletic injuries between 1997-1999(1). Incidence of athletic injuries has been reported as 15.4-25.9 injuries per 1000 in the population(2,3). 50-80% of these injuries have been described...
Ankle Sprain Injuries Ankle sprains are one of the most common orthopedic injuries with an annual incidence of 7 sprains per 1000 individuals(1). Lateral ankle sprains involving the outside of the ankle account for 85% of these sprains (see picture) and involve flexed and inverted foot(2). Authors reports up to 72% of individuals who sustain...