Horse Jockeys and the Risk of Broken Bones

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The excitement of the Preakness, the Kentucky Derby and the Belmont Stakes finishing are finished and Triple Crown hopes and dreams look towards next year’s signature races. Horses are vulnerable to injuries and so are the jockeys that ride them through training and high-stakes races.

 

Since 1940, more than 150 jockeys have died from racing accidents. Jockeys may have the most hazardous job of any professional athlete. One misstep in the crowded race can send a jockey, and perhaps his horse, tumbling to the ground, where he can be crushed by his own horse or another animal running behind.

 

There is no official database of jockey injuries and fatalities, but according to a study published in the Orthopedic Journal of Sports Medicine in 2013, a total of 152 jockeys died as a result of both flat and jump racing or training incidents in the U.S. between 1940 and 2012.

 

Take for example, Randy Meier, he was a leading jockey in the Chicago area who won more than 4,000 races before a traumatic brain injury forced him to retire. Over the course of his 38-year-career, Meier broke 56 bones in his body. He once broke both of his legs, he had a total of 10 broken vertebrates, he needed a rod surgically installed in his upper leg after breaking it, and he had screws and plates surgically installed in his neck when he broke it the first time.

 

The second time Meier broke his neck, at age 55, he also suffered a brain injury that left him unable to speak clearly. His short-term memory was affected, and he couldn’t remember his kids. He spent five and half months at a rehab center for speech therapy, all along thinking he would be back racing soon. Jockey’s Guild, which represents the majority of the roughly 900 riders racing today, is working on trying to improve safety on the racetrack to help minimize the injuries. Last year the organization started a database to document jockey injuries and conditions in which they occur, and it’s working to get racetracks across the country to report the injuries. The Guild eventually plans to use the database to spot trends and better understand what changes need to be made on the track as well as to the safety equipment jockeys wear, like vests and helmets.

 

Common jockey injuries include:

The position in which a jockey rides may also contribute to injury. Jockeys do not sit directly on the horse, but rather use their legs for gripping, stability, and balance. This forces them into a forward lean, creating a forced static posture over the horse. Jockeys are subject to dynamic and static joint loading, impact loading, and injuries associated with acceleration and deceleration from racing.

  • The combination of the applied forces, static postures, repetitiveness, and trauma from joint loading may lead to musculoskeletal injury of the lower extremities and spine.
  • Continual acceleration and deceleration from racing, while forced to maintain forward leaning postures, can propel a jockey over the head of the horse in the event of sudden stop or stumble by the horse, or result in contact with the horse’s head.

Contributing factors to any sports activity all have the potential for greater orthopedic injury. Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle specializes in sports medicine and treats a variety of sports-related injuries. If you are suffering from a sports-related injury, contact OSS to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians at (206) 633-8100.

 

 

2014 FIFA World Cup Injuries Affecting Field of Players

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Several prominent figures for this year’s World Cup event have been lost to injuries. The list includes:

  • Franck Ribery – France
  • Radamel Falcao – Columbia
  • Marco Reus – Germany
  • Kevin Strootman – Netherlands
  • Luis Montes – Mexico
  • Riccardo Montolivo – Italy
  • Christian Benteke – Belgium
  • Theo Walcot – England
  • Roman Shirikov – Russia

Leg fractures to rolled ankles have plagued this year’s field of players throughout the world. It’s not unusual for injuries to strike before the World Cup, due in part to the increasing demand on players during the club season and the brief turnaround before reporting to national team duty ahead of the sport’s premier competition.

Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA, which puts on the World Cup, blamed “too long a [club] season and always the same players [from the elite clubs] are always in the same competitions. Now they are tired.”

Fatigue is not responsible for all injuries. Muscular ailments occur at all stages of the season, while missteps and reckless tackles are also to blame. Falcao suffered a knee injury in January.

According to U.S. midfielder, Michael Bradley, “There [are] certain things as players you do to try to prevent injuries, to try to stay fit, but at the end of the day, you step on the field, you play, you leave everything out on the field and unfortunately things happen at times.” He goes on to say, “No player ever wants to see anybody else get hurt and have to miss a big game, a big tournament.”

Common soccer injuries include:

  • Lower extremities – Sprains and strains are the most common lower extremity injuries. The severity of these injuries varies. Cartilage tears and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) sprains in the knee are some of the more common injuries that may require surgery. Other injuries include fractures and contusions from direct blows to the body.
  • Overuse of lower extremities – Shin splints (soreness in the calf), patellar tendonitis (pain in the knee), and Achilles tendonitis (pain in the back of the ankle) are some of the more common soccer overuse conditions. Soccer players are also prone to groin pulls and thigh and calf muscle strains.
  • Upper extremities – Injuries to the upper extremities usually occur from falling on an outstretched arm or from player-to-player contact. These conditions include wrist sprains, wrist fractures, and shoulder dislocations.
  • Head, neck and face injuries – Injuries to the head, neck, and face include cuts and bruises, fractures, neck sprains, and concussions. A concussion is any alteration in an athlete’s mental state due to head trauma and should always be evaluated by a physician. Not all those who experience a concussion lose consciousness.

Treatment options to soccer injuries include:

  • Stop participation immediately until any injury is evaluated and treated properly.
  • Most injuries are minor and can be treated by a short period of rest, ice, and elevation. Contact the physicians at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle (OSS) to evaluate an injury.
  • Overuse injuries can be treated with a short period of rest, which means that the athlete can continue to perform or practice some activities with modifications.
  • In many cases, pushing through pain can be harmful, especially for stress fractures, knee ligament injuries, and any injury to the head or neck. Contact the physicians at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle for proper diagnosis and treatment of any injury that does not improve after a few days of rest.
  • Return to play only when clearance is granted by a physician.

Orthopedic Specialists would like to offer the following tips for preventing soccer injuries:

  • Have a pre-season physical examination and follow your doctor’s recommendations
  • Use well-fitting cleats and shin guards — there is some evidence that molded and multi-studded cleats are safer than screw-in cleats
  • Be aware of poor field conditions that can increase injury rates
  • Use properly sized synthetic balls — leather balls that can become waterlogged and heavy are more dangerous, especially when heading
  • Watch out for mobile goals that can fall on players and request fixed goals whenever possible
  • Maintain proper fitness — injury rates are higher in athletes who have not adequately prepared physically.
  • After a period of inactivity, progress gradually back to full-contact soccer through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training, and agility training.
  • Avoid overuse injuries — more is not always better! Sports medicine specialists at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle believe that it is beneficial to take at least one season off each year. Try to avoid the pressure that is now exerted on many young athletes to over-train. Listen to your body and decrease training time and intensity if pain or discomfort develops. This will reduce the risk of injury and help avoid “burn-out”
  • Speak with a sports medicine physician at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle if you have any concerns about injuries or soccer injury prevention strategies

According to Dr. Peterson, “Two of the challenges the US team will have to face in addition to the “Group of Death” pairings are travel and heat. They will travel over 6000 miles during the preliminaries, and will be playing at least on of their games deep in the Amazon rain forest in the middle of summer! In these situations, it’s very important to work on hydration, proper diet, and sleep. Proper hydration is occurring when one’s urine is fairly clear to clear. Proper diet varies, but usually should include a balance of protein, carbohydrates, and fats. Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables and minimal fried foods and alcohol. Sleep can be tough with airplane travel.

Try to have a standard time to go to bed, and getting at least 8 hours per night is important. If it is hard to fall asleep, natural sleep aids like melatonin can help. Good luck, USA and Sounders players!”

If you believe you are suffering from a soccer-related injury and need specialized orthopedic care, Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle provide excellent treatment options available for you. Please feel free to contact OSS at (206) 633-8100 to schedule an appointment.

Avocados vs. UFC Fighter… and the Winner is?

avocado-cut-3aWho knew you would have to watch your back, or should we say hand, when making the family’s homemade guacamole? Avocados; they look innocent enough, but did you know that avocados are the cause of hundreds of hand injuries a year?

Take for example, UFC Tri Star Welterweight contender, Rory MacDonald.  He gave himself a deep cut in his left hand while cutting an avocado at home, prompting a trip to the emergency room and making him worry he’d have to drop out of his UFC 170 fight against Demian Maia.  Fortunately for MacDonald, he received stitches for his hand injury.

The danger is hidden inside the avocado. Avocados have a soft creamy skin, easily sliceable, but inside, the pit also needs to be removed carefully. Often times, this is done by stabbing the end of a knife onto the pit and twisting it off. If not done properly, the knife can glance off the pit and cut your hand. 

You can also injure yourself when slicing the inside of the avocado while it rests in the palm of your hand; the pressure may be too great and accidentally, you slice right through the peel and your palm along with it, hitting an artery, nerve or tendon in the process.

Slicing an artery, nerve or tendon can be serious. It is possible to have a partial injury to a tendon and still move the hand normally, but there is a risk that the tendon could rupture completely. According to Dr. Ruhlman, “Knife injuries from cutting an avocado are among the most common injuries I see, and unfortunately, often cause an injury that needs surgical repair.  Hopefully, awareness of this common injury might prevent a rate of such a devastating injury.”  By using the proper tools and technique, injury can easily be prevented.  If you do cut yourself it might mean surgery and possible months of therapy.

OSS has several providers specializing in hand injuries.  If you are suffering from a hand-related injury, contact OSS to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians at (206) 633-8100.

Avoiding Spring Gardening Injuries

Spring weather in the Pacific Northwest is beautiful and although we still have rain showers, it is the best time for gardening and getting in some spring cleaning.  If you are like some of us here at OSS, gardening is a popular hobby.  Over time however, it can take a toll on your body.  Creating a dream garden requires repetitive bending, kneeling, reaching, and twisting that may result in putting an extensive amount of strain on your muscles and joints.

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According to Dr. Scott Ruhlman, “Spring time is a great time to get outside and do yard work. In this case the old adage rings true, that an ounce of prevention is much more than a pound of cure. Use the proper tools and body positioning when gardening. I am not only a hand surgeon but an avid gardener too.”

Raking, digging and planting may present injuries and OSS would like to share some helpful tips to keep you pain-free while you garden:

  • Sunscreen – Fair-weather skin tends to burn faster and in the Pacific Northwest when we see the sun peek out from the clouds, we rush to catch some of those sunshine rays.  Use sunscreen with SPF and wear a wide brimmed hat.
  • Light Stretching and Walk – Before you take on your dream garden, do some light stretching so that your muscles can warm up and take a short walk to get your blood flowing.
  • Spread out your Workload – If your  garden took a toll over the winter months, pace yourself and spread out the work; this gives you the opportunity to see your garden progress and prevents you from injury by doing all the work at once.
  • Kneeling vs. Bending – Place less strain on your back by avoiding bending; kneel instead.  Wear kneepads and use a cushioned mat to comfort your knees while working on the ground.
  • Keep Moving – Long periods of time in one position will put stress on your muscles and joints; so keep moving so that you avoid overworking specific areas of your body
  • Lift Cautiously – Lift with your legs and not your back when carrying heavy loads and remember to hold objects close to your body when lifting.

If you believe you are suffering from a gardening-related injury and need specialized orthopedic care, Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle provide excellent treatment options available for you.  Please feel free to contact OSS at (206) 633-8100 to schedule an appointment or consultation with Dr. Ruhlman.

Knee Injuries on the Job

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Driving down Interstate 5 through the Pacific Northwest, you see a lot of logging trucks pass you by.

Loggers and truck drivers do a lot of heavy lifting and/or climbing, but so do other professions, like nurses, construction workers, doctors or even chefs who walk long distances while lifting items they may need on the job.

You may not think of these jobs as a place where a knee injury might occur, but in fact, occasionally injure a person.

A knee injury might not be apparent at first, but over time, may become swollen and painful. The knee injury now becomes an impediment, and you are unable to lift things because your stance is unstable.

Think about the last time you wobbled a little because your knee gave out and developed a nagging pain soon after. Did you do anything to alleviate the pain you felt in your knee?

Common Knee Injuries

Meniscus Injuries: Meniscus tears can cause intense pain and instability in the knee depending on the severity of the tear. Clients with tears to the meniscus describe a sensation of their knee “giving out” or “coming out from under them” while walking or climbing stairs.

The knee will most likely swell in order to protect itself, which can be intensely painful and can limit movement. Although physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medication and cortisone injections can help reduce symptoms, an orthopedic doctor will often recommend arthroscopic surgery to repair the tear.

Ligament Injuries: Injuries to the cruciate ligaments – such as the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) – are sometimes referred to as sprains, but they can be much more complicated than simple muscle strains. These injuries can require months of treatment to recover, and some cruciate ligament injuries — e.g., anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears – may require reconstructive surgery.

Chondromalacia: Chondromalacia is a disorder caused by softening of the articular cartilage of the kneecap. It can be caused by traumatic injury or overuse or repetitive motion on the job. Signs and symptoms of chondromalacia include dull, achy pain in the front of the knee, increased pain when walking up or down stairs, pain in the knee when kneeling or squatting, knee pain after sitting for long periods of time, a grating or grinding sensation when you extend your knee and knee stiffness.

To diagnose the problem, an OSS physician may require you to attempt simple knee exercises or recommend X-rays or other imaging tests such as an MRI or CT scan. Treatment options include rest, pain relievers or physical therapy. In rare cases, arthroscopic or realignment surgery may be options.

According to Dr. Watt, “Knee problems and injuries may be job-related or not. Sometimes it is obvious and sometimes not obvious and this may be part of the initial evaluation. I have extensive experience on all types of knee problems and injuries and would love to help anyone with a knee problem to try and regain a healthy knee.”

Dr. Watt is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon here at OSS who works with patients dealing with a wide range of orthopedic issues. Dr. Watt carefully weighs conservative and aggressive methods of treatment to devise a plan tailored to the specific needs of the individual. This personalized approach creates excellent outcomes, with patients working as close partners in the treatment process.