Archive for sports medicine
Sports medicine for single-sport athletes
As youth sports have become more structured and focused on results, sports medicine specialists have seen a growing number of sports injuries in younger patients. Is early sports specialization to blame? “Specializing in a single sport is not necessarily a cause for concern,” says Andrea Stracciolini, MD, director of Medical Sports Medicine at Boston Children’s ... Read More about Sports medicine for single-sport athletes
Keeping sports fun: Preventing burnout in young athletes
It’s easy to tell when a kid loves sports: Maybe they practice drills in the driveway until it’s dark and cold. Or they wake up excited on practice days and talk about practice at dinner. Even kids who keep their feelings under wraps may let their enthusiasm show in their laser focus. When the whistle ... Read More about Keeping sports fun: Preventing burnout in young athletes
From Toronto to Boston: Osteochondritis dissecans, hockey, and hope
Hockey is a fast and physical sport. Players need to think and act quickly as their team members, opponents, and the puck zip around the ice. Wherever the puck goes, high-speed collisions often follow. Osteochondritis dissecans is a joint disorder in which a segment of bone and cartilage starts to separate from the rest of ... Read More about From Toronto to Boston: Osteochondritis dissecans, hockey, and hope
When athletes have bad days: Tips for athletes and parents
No matter how hard they work, every athlete has bad days. Whether it’s a stumble, fumble, or outright loss, disappointment is a reality of sports. “No one likes the feeling of failing,” says Kelsey Griffith, mental skills specialist at The Micheli Center for Sports Injury Prevention. “But experiencing those emotions is part of the athletic ... Read More about When athletes have bad days: Tips for athletes and parents
Sports medicine helps keep athletes in the game
Sports medicine specialist Dr. William Meehan sees a lot of sports injuries: everything from tennis elbow to concussions to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. But when he talks about sports, he typically leads with how sports benefit young athletes. “There’s so much publicity about injuries and risk,” says Dr. Meehan, a physician in the Sports ... Read More about Sports medicine helps keep athletes in the game
Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs): When athletes run on empty
The strength, skill, and speed of Olympic athletes help the rest of us understand human potential in a new light. But athletic glory can come at a high price. The quest to be the best can drive some athletes into punishing training routines, denying themselves of food and other basic needs. Whether training for the ... Read More about Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs): When athletes run on empty
Fancy footwork: Two figure skating experts on injury prevention
Amazing costumes, breathtaking artistry, and outstanding athleticism. No wonder figure skating is a Winter Olympics must-watch for millions of people. With the 2022 games fast approaching, Dr. Ellen Geminiani of Boston Children’s Sports Medicine Division has some insights for aspiring athletes watching these spectacles on ice. “I hope young skaters will think about how much ... Read More about Fancy footwork: Two figure skating experts on injury prevention
Could concussion be monitored through urine samples?
Concussion can be frustratingly hard to diagnose and track. The injury doesn’t show up on routine brain scans, and there is no definitive diagnostic test. It’s usually diagnosed based on symptoms and, in athletes, comparison with baseline testing if it was done. But concussion symptoms are non-specific, unreliable, and easily influenced by emotions. “Athletes usually ... Read More about Could concussion be monitored through urine samples?
After two ACL tears, a skier reconnects with her body and her sport
The memory remains vivid in Sophia’s mind. Racing down a slalom course at top speed, she hit a patch of bad snow. “The next thing I knew, I was launched up in the air. My legs were above me and I lost sight of my right leg. I felt my right knee twist and I ... Read More about After two ACL tears, a skier reconnects with her body and her sport
Not just a physical thing: The psychology of sports injuries and recovery
“Nobody plays sports expecting to get injured, but unfortunately, injuries are part of sports,” says Melissa Christino, MD. As a surgeon in the Sports Medicine Division at Boston Children’s Hospital, Christino helps athletes recover from sports injuries, some of which keep her patients on the sidelines for weeks or months at a time. Key takeaways ... Read More about Not just a physical thing: The psychology of sports injuries and recovery