Orthopedics
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Common lacrosse injuries: Prevention and treatment
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Lacrosse is an exciting and fast-paced game that is one of the most rapidly growing team sports in the country. But, the combination of quick changes of direction, contact and a hard ball traveling at high speeds provides the perfect environment for injuries.
There are many differences between girls’ and boys’ lacrosse. High school female lacrosse players are only required to wear protective eyewear and mouth guards, with headgear and gloves optional. The rules prohibit body contact and limit stick checking. Boys’ lacrosse is a full contact sport with mandatory use of helmets, mouth guards and other protective gear. Body and stick checking is allowed. These differences can explain the number and kinds of injuries sustained in male versus female high school lacrosse players.
While boys have a higher overall injury rate than girls, here are a few common injuries in both male and female players:
Lower extremity sprains and strains are the most common injury sustained by both male and female lacrosse players. These are usually the result of a noncontact injury while running and cutting. Anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, tears are the most common reason for loss of playing time, with girls having higher rates of knee injuries than boys.
Concussions are the second most common injury. They occur equally among male and female lacrosse players. Male concussions are usually due to direct body contact, while female concussions are usually due to accidental stick or ball-to-head contact. Because girls are not required to wear helmets, they have a much higher rate of head and facial trauma.
Hand and wrist fractures are common for both boys and girls from direct contact and stick checks. Females have slightly higher fracture rates due to their lack of padding. Gloves are optional and, if worn, are only lightly padded.
Lacrosse Injury Prevention
Injury prevention starts with strict rule enforcement, but here are a few things players can do to protect themselves:
Limit head-to-head contact to decrease the risk of concussion. Players, coaches and parents need to learn the symptoms of a concussion. If a player shows signs of a concussion, it’s critical they are removed from the game and evaluated by a certified athletic trainer or medical provider.
Wear well-fitting protective equipment. Girls should consider wearing helmets to reduce the risk of head and facial trauma. Girls should also consider wearing gloves to reduce the risk of hand and wrist trauma.
Be proactive in preseason conditioning. This is important for all athletes. You need to warm up and stretch properly and drink appropriate amounts of water, especially during summer months. Athletes should also get plenty of rest after practice and games.
If you experience a lacrosse-related injury, a sports medicine specialist helps speed your recovery and get you back on the lacrosse field as quickly and safely as possible.
Author
Daniel Redziniak, MD is a board-certified sports medicine orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. He specializes in arthroscopic surgery of the knees and shoulders. He is the team physician for several high school, college and professional teams, including the Chesapeake Bayhawks lacrosse team.
Originally published Feb. 11, 2018. Last updated April 5, 2019.
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Employee Spotlight
General Page Tier 3
Employee Spotlight: Monica Creek
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When you hear the words “information systems,” the first thing you probably envision is the basement of Wayson Pavilion. A space filled with computers, boxes piled on top of each other and the sound of incessant typing and clicking as our team of techs work on solving the next work ticket in queue. You probably also hear a steady hum of chatter as they talk into their headpieces assisting callers with questions or problems.
All of these mental pictures are correct. Throw in there some numbers, a couple of emails and mix it with dedication, passion and commitment. “What folks don’t see behind the scenes is that we’re all champions,” says Monica Creek, systems analyst and September Champion Award winner. “Our world in IS goes beyond just sitting at a desk and looking at a computer. We have to figure out the best ways to make life easier, make things more meaningful and make the patient experience much easier when they come in the door.”
Before joining Anne Arundel Medical Center (AAMC), Monica was training as a medical assistant in Arlington, Va. She also trained as a nursing assistant, but that venture didn’t last too long. “I went for my first clinical procedure where I had to demonstrate certain competencies,” she recalls. “While I was doing an incision and drainage with a patient, he started to scream and I started to get butterflies in my stomach. That’s when the physician there with me confirmed I was not going to be a nurse.”
Today she laughs about it and is grateful for the experience. Her medical field experience, paired with her love for administrative tasks and analytical thinking, are skills that have led Monica to find her dream job. After getting tired of hours spent commuting, Monica decided it was time to move closer to home and look for new opportunities. Shortly after applying to AAMC, she received a call and, ultimately, the position. “I understand the concept of day-to-day patient care, though I’m not a nurse,” she says. “Sometimes that clinical aspect helps me make the picture more real for the other analysts I work.”
The analytics world is not only about data. Monica and her team use analytics to solve all sorts of problems, whether it’s improving discharge turnaround times so patients can leave the hospital and go home in a timely fashion or making workflows more meaningful for staff.
“Being a system analyst can be very challenging because you need to understand operationally the application you support as well as the lives of our caregivers,” Monica says. “Coming back every day to keep trying to solve issues is what brings me the greatest joy in what I do. Health care is very complex and there’s never one solution for every single thing. I enjoy coming to work knowing that we still have to work on this and that it’s not about applying a Band-Aid to a situation.”
Pro tip: “Jump at every moment that comes your way. Try it and, if you don’t like it, take ‘door number two.’ I’m a single mom and I teach that to my children every single day. Don’t get caught up in what went wrong, think about how you can make things better. That’s my philosophy. Who cares if we made a mistake? If we were all perfect, we wouldn’t be here.”
If you know a great individual or a fantastic team going above and beyond to make a difference, make sure to let us know!
Looking for a career in health care? We invite you to join a diverse and collaborative team of professionals working together to innovate the future of health care for our entire region. Check out our career opportunities.
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Orthopedics
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4 Tips to Avoid At-Home Orthopedic Injuries This Summer
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Spending more time at home comes with its fair share of advantages and disadvantages, and most families are figuring it out as they go. While we’re seeing less injuries from contact sports, injuries from things like starting new, unguided workout regimens and from doing everyday housework are on the rise.
Here are four tips to avoid at-home orthopedic injuries while staying active this summer.
Ease into new workouts and activities. Your gym may be closed and, if not, you’re trying to decide when to get back to your normal routine. In the meantime, you want to stay active to avoid going stir-crazy. But you don’t have access to the equipment or classes you’re used to. We get it. Take time to adjust to any new workouts and activities you choose to do at home. To help avoid injury, don’t overdo it right away.
Get help when learning those new workouts. Maybe you’re ready to start weight-lifting or try your hand at CrossFit. As you begin these new routines, reach out for help. Find a friend or family member who has experience with that workout and can help demonstrate proper form. Or better yet, hire a trainer. Many trainers are now doing virtual sessions and can help guide you while you safely workout at home.
Be careful with repetitive workouts. Many people have increased their at-home workouts and have used extra free time to become more physically active. Now is a great time to build good fitness habits, but be careful with repetitive workouts as they can lead to overuse injuries. Running and cycling too often, for instance, can cause stress fractures, shin splints and tendinitis. We recommend switching up your routine to focus on other muscle groups and giving your body proper rest.
Don’t forget to warmup and stretch. These things can easily get left out of the routine when you don’t have an instructor guiding you, but you need to do them. Warming up and stretching are two of the most important parts of a workout routine. Warming up not only loosens stiff muscles, but it can also improve performance. And stretching can help boost your flexibility and decrease the muscle tension in your body. Both will reduce your risk of injury.
No matter where you’re spending your time this summer, it’s important for your physical and mental health to stay active. But falls, mishaps and orthopedic injuries don’t take a vacation just because we’re at home. Call your doctor if you experience an orthopedic injury. Doctors’ offices are safe, ready and open to care for you.
Author
Ben Petre, MD, is a sports medicine doctor and surgeon at Anne Arundel Medical Orthopedics. He can be reached at 410-268-8862. For more information visit aamcortho.com.
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Orthopedics, Wellness
General Page Tier 3
Joint Pain and Problems: Is It Time for a Joint Replacement?
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We all notice sore and stiff joints occasionally, like a sore hip after skiing or stiff shoulders after heavy lifting. Often, these issues go away on their own. But if you find sore and stiff joints are taking a toll on your daily life, it could be time to consider surgery. Our experts weigh in on when you should opt for surgery, and what to expect during recovery.
Is there a best time for surgery?
There’s no perfect time of year for joint replacement surgery. The best time, really, is when it’s most convenient for you.
Some people may reach a point where the pain becomes unbearable, and mobility issues disrupt their daily life. In that case, they may opt for surgery right away. Others are able to plan ahead and schedule surgery at a time that fits their work or family commitments. If you have the flexibility to plan, there are a few factors worth considering.
For example, if you usually have a busy holiday season in late winter, you may want to schedule surgery in the early fall. This timing allows for recovery before large family gatherings and activities.
On the other hand, if you participate in spring or summer sports, it could be best to schedule surgery in winter. That way, you’ll be healed and ready to make the most of the warmer months.
5 signs it’s time for a joint replacement
You may be tempted to put surgery off until your pain is unbearable. In some cases, delaying could lead to more joint damage and a longer recovery. Instead, consider discussing joint replacement with your provider if you have these problems:
You need help with daily tasks like walking up and down stairs, getting dressed or standing up.
Joint pain keeps you awake at night even after you’ve taken pain-relieving medication.
Other treatment options like anti-inflammatory medications, cortisone injections and physical therapy have failed.
You make decisions about activities based on how far you must walk or if you must use stairs.
You have advanced joint damage or osteoarthritis.
Recovery is part of the process
Surgical advancements have transformed joint replacement procedures. Operations take less time, incisions are smaller, pain is reduced and recovery is faster. Most of the time hip and knee replacement surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis. Still, it’s important to remember that healing takes time. Your body needs time to adjust, strengthen, and help you return safely to your usual routine.
Here’s what to expect during recovery and how to set yourself up for a smooth return to the activities you love.
Pain management begins immediately.Even with a minimally invasive procedure, you’re going to feel some pain. Your provider may suggest medications for pain, inflammation, or nerve pain.
You’ll be up and moving within hours.Most patients start walking with a walker shortly after surgery, then transition to a cane as they gain strength.
Physical therapy is essential.Rehabilitation starts as soon as you can get out of bed to improve motion and rebuild strength.
You’ll return to a fully active life.Typically, patients are back to their usual routines within two to three months, although a full recovery can take up to a year. Be patient with yourself as you regain strength and mobility.
If you have questions about joint replacement surgery or want to schedule a procedure, make an appointment with Luminis Health Orthopedics at Luminis.Health/JointPain. Our experienced and caring team is ready to support your recovery every step of the way.
Authors
Dr. Andrey Zuskov is a hip and knee replacement surgeon at Luminis Health.
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