- Orthopedics, Pediatrics, WellnessGeneral Page Tier 3BlogElbow injuries in young baseball players are an increasingly common problem seen by orthopedic surgeons because the act of throwing creates substantial stress on the elbow. The elbow is protected by a combination of ligaments and muscle that help to dissipate this stress. Repetitive throwing, however, can cause significant injuries including ligament tears, cartilage loss, bone spurs, and even fractures. These injuries, whether treated conservatively or with surgery, lead to a significant amount of time spent on the sidelines. Coaches and parents must understand how to reduce the frequency of these injuries. Prevention starts with limiting the amount of throwing and allowing for proper rest. To reduce injuries, the Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons recommends the following: Players should not throw for three consecutive months during the year. Player should not compete on more than one team during the same season. Players and coaches should follow pitch counts to prevent stress on the elbow (see chart) Players should not throw breaking balls until age 14. Resist the urge to play the same player as pitcher and catcher during the season as this can create stress on his/her elbows. Despite appropriate limits and rest, injuries can still occur. Pain, stiffness, decreased velocity, and decreased accuracy are all potential indicators of a developing elbow injury. Players should not throw through pain. Initial treatment should consist of rest, ice, and anti-inflammatory medication. If the symptoms do not resolve within seven days, consultation with an orthopedic specialist is recommended. Author By Cyrus Lashgari, MD, orthopedic surgeon at AAMG Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists, a practice of Anne Arundel Medical Center. To reach him, call 410-268-8862.0
- OrthopedicsGeneral Page Tier 3BlogAs the weather warms up, you may be packing up the little ones and heading to the playground more often for some outdoor fun. But it’s important to keep safety top of mind as your kids play. From 2002 through 2015, there were more than 350,000 playground slide injuries involving children younger than six years old, according to a 2017 University of Iowa study. The study looked at a national database of injuries treated in U.S. emergency rooms. You might think it’s safer to go down the slide with your child, but it actually puts them at risk for a leg fracture. “Unfortunately, we see too many of these fractures every year. We don’t see this happening in children who go down the playground slide alone,” says Dr. Edward Holt, an orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics. More than a third of the children in the University of Iowa study broke a bone. Those breaks usually involved the child’s lower leg. Typically, these injuries occur in children between the ages of 8 months to two years, Dr. Holt says. “The weight of the parent behind the child twists the child’s leg if his toe touches the sliding board,” Dr. Holt explains. If you don’t want to let your toddler go down the slide alone, then make sure the child’s feet don’t touch the slide, Holt says. “In this case, it’s best to remove the child’s rubber-souled shoes before going down the slide,” he says. Beyond the playground Some backyard toys can be every bit as dangerous as those on your neighborhood playground. Trampolines, for example, cause thousands of injuries every year in the U.S. and the American Academy of Pediatrics even warns parents not to buy them. Dr. Holt says the most common injuries he sees are sprained ankles, wrist and leg fractures, arm and elbow injuries, and head and neck injuries, which tend to be the most serious. “Before you buy a trampoline, set up rules for the use of it. Then go over those rules with your kids and get their buy-in. You should also look at your homeowners’ insurance and liability policy to make sure that backyard trampolines aren’t excluded from your policy,” he says. Children under the age of six should not play on an adult-sized trampoline, Dr. Holt adds, though there are child-sized trampolines available for younger kids. If you do buy a trampoline, Dr. Holt says place a net around the trampoline so children can’t fall off. And make sure the trampoline has a ladder to prevent children from trying to jump off of it. You should also place the trampoline on a level surface with padding on the springs and frame. Dr. Holt also urges parents to avoid having the trampoline next to a tree or second-story deck. He says children could run into those things or worse, be tempted to jump off of them onto the trampoline. Author Edward Holt, MD is an orthopedic surgeon with AAMC Orthopedics who specializes in foot and ankle problems. Originally published May 24, 2018. Last updated April 26, 2019.0
- Men's Health, Orthopedics, Women's Health, UncategorizedGeneral Page Tier 3BlogDry needling is a procedure similar to acupuncture, but based on Western medicine. It uses a very thin, solid-filament needle inserted at myofascial trigger points where multiple top bands of tissues come together. Dry needling is used to help reduce muscle pain at the site or referred pain in the adjacent area. Referred pain is when a problem exists somewhere else in the body other than where you feel the pain. Dry needling can help anyone with chronic tension, spasms or soreness in the muscles, tendons or ligaments. It is also good for treating migraines and tension headaches. While it uses similar tools as acupuncture — in fact, the needles are the same — dry needling is based on Western medical practice and long-term research into how nerve signals travel from the point of pain and are perceived by the brain. The research shows insertion of one or more needles at the point of pain or in the tissue nearby can help lessen pain. For example, if you experience pain in your ankle, you might be helped by having dry needle insertion in the muscle that runs from the calf to the foot in order to “re-route” the pain signals. Dry needling is used to help any musculoskeletal problems, such as chronic calf tightness, tennis elbow or for a sciatic issue that hasn’t responded to treatment. Sports medicine specialists, physical therapists or physiatrists often refer patients when standard manual techniques in physical therapy haven’t reduced pain sufficiently. Author By James Bickley, a physical therapist and dry needling site coordinator at AAMG Physical Therapy in Odenton. To reach his practice, call 410-674-1650.0
- Heart CareGeneral Page Tier 3BlogA cardiologist can diagnose and treat many heart conditions, but if you require surgery, your cardiologist will refer you to a cardiac surgeon. Below, Cardiothoracic Surgeon Murtaza Dawood, MD, explains some of the differences between a cardiac surgeon and a cardiologist. Is a cardiac surgeon also a cardiologist? No, a cardiologist receives medical training while a cardiac surgeon receives surgical training. If you need surgery, a cardiac surgeon will be involved before, during, and immediately after your surgery. In many cases, once you have recovered, you will not need to continue to follow up with your surgeon. Your cardiologist will follow your path before and after surgery to help manage your condition, and will continue to follow up with you in the long term. For example, a cardiologist can diagnose heart disease and work on managing the disease through medication and lifestyle changes. The surgeon, on the other hand, surgically corrects the issue. Why would I need a cardiac surgeon if I already have a cardiologist? Cardiac surgeons work with your cardiologist to improve an abnormality or a disease process that needs surgery. Some examples of why you need a cardiac surgeon could be heart disease requiring a coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG), severe heart valves disease, or pathologies of the aorta. To get the full benefit of the surgery, you may have to take medications or make a lifestyle or diet change. In this case, your cardiac surgeon and cardiologist will work together to help you reach your goals. What procedures do cardiac surgeons do? Cardiac surgeons can fix many issues such as blocked heart vessels, congenital or degenerative valve diseases, diseases of the aorta, and tumor or mass removal involving the heart. Cardiac surgeons can also perform surgeries in emergencies, such as heart injury from trauma. If I have a blockage, can I get a stent instead of surgery? An interventional cardiologist can use stents, which are delivered by catheters in your artery of the arm or leg, to reach the vessels of your heart causing the blockages. However, some blockages will require surgery as it could provide a better or more durable treatment, especially if you have multiple blockages. For example, some blockages could be in areas that are difficult to open with a stent. In other situations, a combination of stents and surgery can treat a blockage. Keep in mind that fixing a blockage does not solve the underlying problem that lead to the blockage, so it is possible to require stents after surgery or vice versa. Talk to your provider about decreasing your risk for future blockages. Authors Murtaza Dawood, MD is an experienced cardiothoracic surgeon who is recognized for performing operations for complex valve disease and atrial fibrillation. He is known for treating mitral valve regurgitation as well as aortic valve disease.0
- Pediatrics, Infectious DiseaseGeneral Page Tier 3BlogHugs and kisses, diaper changes and snuggles — caring for babies and toddlers is often hands-on, up close and personal. But since we know that even little ones can get and transmit COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses like respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), what’s the best way to keep your family healthy? Here are a few suggestions. Avoid germ-sharing when you can Young children often explore the world with their hands and mouths, and regularly come in close contact with their other family members. That means they’re not only likely to pick up all kinds of viruses through their activities; it also means they are very likely to spread it. In fact, a recent study found that once infected with COVID, babies and kids up to age three had higher odds of transmitting the virus to other members of their household than older kids. To help protect your baby: Don’t let people outside your household kiss or hold your baby Limit visitors to your home and avoid trips to crowded places When you have to go out in public, drape a light blanket over your baby’s carrier or stroller To help toddlers dodge extra germs: Choose outdoor gatherings when possible Make sure visitors are healthy and wash their hands before interacting with your child Pack extra toys for playdates so you can always have clean ones on hand Wipe down grocery store cart handles before placing your child in the seat Talk to your childcare providers In daycare settings, it’s not usually possible to keep physical distance between young children. And since kids under two shouldn’t wear masks, talk to your care providers about how to layer prevention plans. Some strategies you might ask about include: If there are lots of children at your daycare, your provider might be able to place kids into smaller groups or cohorts to stay with throughout the day. This practice limits how many other kids and staff your child gets close to on an everyday basis. Disease-control best practices. Find out what steps your daycare takes to avoid virus transmission, in addition to handwashing and cleaning practices. For example, they might be able to place nap mats head-to-toe while sleeping, improve ventilation with window fans, allow more space between children at mealtimes or move drop-off and pick-up outdoors. Sick-child policy. Kids and staff who show symptoms of COVID should stay home to avoid spreading illness. Your daycare can also designate an isolation area where kiddos showing symptoms can play while they wait for their parents. Keep it healthy at home Our best protection against severe COVID illness is to be fully vaccinated, so all members of your family who are eligible for the vaccine should get it. There are also other steps you can take: When breastfeeding. Mothers can pass along immune benefits to their babies through breast milk, so consider breastfeeding or pumping breastmilk for bottles if it’s an option for your family. During doctor’s visits. Keep up with well visits and vaccines at your pediatrician’s office. Many doctors take steps to limit contact between well and sick kids. Especially for babies and toddlers, it’s essential to have regular check-ups and stay on your child’s vaccine schedule. When around others. Encourage all members of your family and older siblings to keep up with good handwashing routines. Key times include when you get home and before mealtimes. Also, remind everyone in your home to cough and sneeze into their elbow and throw away soiled tissues. And keep sick family members separated from healthy ones when possible. Right now, it makes sense to take these precautions. Luckily, most cases of COVID in children are mild. However, some children have experienced more serious complications. These measures will also help you steer clear of other respiratory viruses, like RSV, which can turn into a severe illness. Every year, nearly 60,000 children under five are hospitalized due to RSV infection. The littlest members of your family are worth protecting. If you think your baby or toddler has virus symptoms or might be sick with COVID or RSV, call your pediatrician for advice. Authors Lauren Fitzpatrick, MD, medical director of the Pediatric Emergency Department and Inpatient Unit, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center Suzanne Rindfleisch, DO, director of Newborn Services, Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center0
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