Back, Shoulder & Spine

C. David Geier, Jr. (Orthopedic Surgeon): Helped Lacrosse Player Win State Title

In recognition of April as National Youth Sports Safety Month, MomsTeam asked 30 experts in 2012 to write a blog answering two questions: first, how or why did they get into their field, and second, how have they made a difference in the life of a youth athlete in the past year.

Today, we hear again from Dr. David Geier, an orthopaedic sports medicine surgeon and Director of Sports Medicine at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina.

By C. David Geier, Jr, MD

An orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine doctor talks about helping a young lacrosse player return to the field in time to help his team win the state championship.

Physical Therapy for the Injured Athlete: Why Body Symmetry Is So Important

Body symmetry is important because poor balance of such things as muscle tightness, stretch, bone length, pelvic rotation, and scapular positioning increases risk of injury and can hurt performance. 

Stretching Reduces Risk of Shoulder Injuries In Young Pitchers

A big difference between the forward range of motion of the throwing and non-throwing shoulder increases injury risk.  Here is a simple test to identify such difference and a stretching exercise to keep the shoulder balanced.

Dynamic Warm-Up, Soft Tissue Massage Better Than Static Stretching

Research suggests that static stretching, far from being the best way for athletes to warm up and prepare for the stress and strain sports and exercise puts on their bodies, may actually increase the risk of injury. Dynamic warm-up and soft tissue manipulation are recommended instead.

Preventing Volleyball Injuries

Parents and coaches can help prevent common volleyball injuries by promoting proper warm-up, stretching and strengthening exercises, as well as paying close attention to the proper techniques, footwear, braces and pads to play volleyball safely.

Lower Back Pain in Female Athletes Is Not Normal

As with ACL injuries, female athletes are more prone than their male counterparts to small, hairline fractures of the lower (lumbar) spine, usually from  overtraining (e.g. overuse injuries) or improper loading of the spine.  Because such injuries can be misdiagnosed, it is important for coaches and parents to recognize the symptoms and seek appropriate medical treatment.

Stretching Improves Flexibility, Provides Foundation for Athletic Success

A lot has been written about the subject of stretching and flexibility in sports. Studies abound on the effects of flexibility on muscular strength, joint motion, and injury prevention, but the picture seems to become more muddled with every passing day, with even the conventional wisdom that static stretching improves flexibility over resistance training recently called into question. But the fact remains: stretching improves flexibility, a foundation for athletic success.

Child's Ability To Heal Quickly From Sports Injuries: A Mixed Blessing?

The ability of kids to heal faster from sports injuries than adults is a mixed blessing with pluses and minuses.  it is important to let an injury fully heal before a child is allowed to return to play; playing hurt increases the risk of future injury and permanent disability.

Recurring Shoulder Dislocations: New Repair Technique Helps

The shoulder is the most commonly dislocated joint in the human body, occurring most often in youth athletes, particularly wrestlers.  For some patients, standard stability-restoring procedures are ineffective.  New research from the University of Michigan shows patients who have recurrent shoulder dislocations may benefit from surgical reconstruction using cadaver bone and cartilage to essentially ‘sculpt' a new shoulder.

Muscle, Tendon Strains: Symptoms, Types, Severity and Treatment

A strain is a twist, pull and/or tear of a muscle and/or tendon. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to bone. Strains and sprains are among the most common sports injuries.

Syndicate content