Archive for sports medicine
A heavy-medaled gymnast and his close call with leg-length discrepancy
Ask 15-year-old Kaleb what he likes about gymnastics and with a sly smile, he’ll say, “flipping around.” That’s Kaleb: understated, funny. But watch him in action, and you’ll see a focused gymnast who earned two medals in the 2024 Men’s Eastern National Championships. He probably won’t mention that two years ago, a surgeon told his ... Read More about A heavy-medaled gymnast and his close call with leg-length discrepancy
Fuel to be faster: Studying the effects of low energy availability at the Boston Marathon
Like many sports medicine specialists, Kristin Whitney, MD, MA, suspected that many of the issues she treats in runners — bone stress injuries, anemia, decreased response to training, and reduced endurance to name a few — stemmed from insufficient nutrition. Key takeaways Runners with indicators of low energy availability had slower finish times and more ... Read More about Fuel to be faster: Studying the effects of low energy availability at the Boston Marathon
Griffin’s return to the slopes and sea after kneecap dislocation
Whether cruising down a snowy trail or catching a wave, 18-year-old Griffin Srokose loves the adrenaline and freedom he feels when snowboarding and surfing. He used to enjoy lacrosse as well, but after dislocating his left kneecap during a game at the age of 14, his kneecap continued to pop out of place. By the ... Read More about Griffin’s return to the slopes and sea after kneecap dislocation
Emergency department or urgent clinic? Understanding your options if your child is injured
Having an active or adventurous child often means comforting them when they come home with bumps or bruises. But when an injury is more serious, parents don’t always know where to seek the right level of care. The injury may look serious, but a trip to the emergency department may seem over the top — ... Read More about Emergency department or urgent clinic? Understanding your options if your child is injured
Going for gold starts with breakfast: Nutrition advice for athletes
As they speed-climb 49-foot walls or spring across narrow balance beams, athletes rely on nutrition to provide the energy they need to achieve their dreams. Sports dietitian Laura Moretti Reece offers all athletes this simple nutrition advice: 1. Eat enough. Food is fuel, says Reece of the Wu Tsai Female Athlete Program at Boston Children’s. ... Read More about Going for gold starts with breakfast: Nutrition advice for athletes
From injury to backflips: A path to recovery for gymnasts
Gymnasts can create the illusion that gravity doesn’t exist. As they spring from one acrobatic skill into the next, they leave spectators little time to consider the strain they’re putting on their wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Nonetheless, a single back handspring exerts force equal to two to four times an athlete’s weight on their upper ... Read More about From injury to backflips: A path to recovery for gymnasts
Jumping higher, spinning faster: Max’s figure skating story
Thousands of fans around the globe have watched it, but very few people can do it. The quadruple Salchow, also known as the quad, requires that a skater launch themself into the air, spin four times, and land on one leg — ideally without falling or wobbling. The best figure skaters make skills like the ... Read More about Jumping higher, spinning faster: Max’s figure skating story
Questions to ask about your child’s orthopedic care
Maybe your child has an orthopedic injury and needs surgery, or maybe they need to be treated with a different method. Either way, asking questions can help you understand their doctor’s recommendations and how to prepare for whatever comes next. “Families often find themselves unprepared for their child’s mobility limitations as they heal from surgery ... Read More about Questions to ask about your child’s orthopedic care
Engineered cartilage could turn the tide for patients with osteoarthritis
About one in seven adults live with degenerative joint disease, also known as osteoarthritis (OA). In recent years, as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and other joint injuries have become more common among adolescent athletes, a growing number of 20- and 30-somethings have joined the ranks of aging baby boomers living with chronic OA pain. ... Read More about Engineered cartilage could turn the tide for patients with osteoarthritis
My story of bouncing back from osteochondritis dissecans
Injuries suck — no better way of putting it. The physical pain is terrible on its own, but emotionally they can hurt even more. The frustration that comes with something that is out of your control is like nothing else. It makes you realize how much you take your health for granted until you lose ... Read More about My story of bouncing back from osteochondritis dissecans