Left Hip Injury knocks Olympic Gold Medalist, Evan Lysacek out of Sochi Olympics

USA Today reported that Evan Lysacek, U.S.’ Olympic gold medal winner in men’s figure skating pulled out of the Sochi Games in 2014 due to a torn labrum in his left hip.

The report states, “After a series of serious injuries, including a torn labrum in his left hip, 2010 Olympic champion Evan Lysacek ended his dream of competing in his third Games on Tuesday. Lysacek said the pain in recent months was excruciating. If he continued training, he would risk serious and permanent damage, his doctors told him. “With a warning like that, I felt I had no choice,” Lysacek said.

Figure skating is a very physical sport, with hips and knees greatly affected.Other notable Olympians like Kimmie Meissner, Tara Lapinski and even Michelle Kwan have suffered through orthopedic injuries and sometimes ending their careers. Another Olympian, Brian Boitano was also quoted in the article stating,“Skaters are leaving the sport and getting hip and knee replacements. There are a lot more serious injuries compared to when I competed. It’s sad. We’re losing a lot of young skaters.”

A hip labral tear involves the ring of soft elastic tissue, called the labrum that follows the outside rim of the socket of your hip joint. The labrum acts like a socket to hold the ball at the top of your thighbone (femur) in place. Athletes who participate in such sports as ice hockey, soccer, football, golf and ballet are at higher risk of developing a hip labral tear. Structural abnormalities of the hip also can lead to a hip labral tear.

Symptoms include hip pain or a “catching” sensation in your hip joint. Initial treatment may include pain relievers and physical therapy. Using arthroscopic techniques, surgeons can remove loose fragments from within the joint and trim or repair the hip labral tear.Dr. Downer said the following of Evan’s injury, “I hope that this is not more than an isolated incident. Additional injury will have a negative impact on a successful recovery.”

If you would like more information on hip or knee replacements, call Orthopedic Specialists and make an appointment with one of our expert, orthopedic doctors at (206) 633-8100.

Dr. Ruhlman Finishes the California International Marathon (CIM)

Congratulations Dr. Ruhlman for completing the 2013 California International Marathon in Sacramento, CA on December 8, 2013!

According to the CIM’s web site, “The CIM was founded in 1983 by the Sacramento Running Association to bring a world-class running event to the Sacramento area. The same course developed then provides runners with a very fast, point-to-point, net-downhill marathon.

Tracing a historic route used by the gold miners during the 1849 Gold Rush, it begins at the Folsom Dam,passes through semi-rural suburbs into bustling midtown Sacrament, and has a spectacular finish in front of the California State Capitol. The CIM’s 26-mile, 385-yard distance is certified and sanctioned by USATF (#CA07004RS),and therefore is a Boston Marathon qualifier and an Olympic Marathon Trials qualifier. It is frequently a regional or national USATF Championship event as well.”

In Dr. Ruhlman’s words about the race, “”Great race, great people and a well organized race. The conditions and the distance pushed my limits as always, but it was really rewarding to cross the finish line.”Dr. Ruhlman’s official time for completing the marathon was 03:16:25!Congratulations Dr. Ruhlman and way to go!

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Preventing Ski Injuries through Conditioning

A busy ski resort in the United States may see dozens of injuries on the slopes each day. As an orthopedic surgeon, I also see many patients with ski-related injuries throughout the season. Most injuries are the result of poor conditioning, or equipment failure.

The most common injuries amongst downhill skiers are knee sprains, shoulder injuries, head/face injuries and wrist/thumb injuries. The knee is the most commonly injured joint, resulting in about one third of all ski injuries. Injury rates and type vary with uncontrollable factors such as weather and snow conditions. Proper equipment and conditioning, however, are factors that we can control.

Equipment

When skiers examine their equipment, it’s important to make sure that: Skis, poles, and boots are in good condition and properly sized for the individual’s weight,size and skill. Bindings are adjusted and tested prior to each ski season.Helmets are properly fitted and checked for damage prior to the ski season.Sunglasses, goggles and sunscreen are part of one’s safety equipment

Conditioning

Skiers can increase their safety and performance this winter by starting with a pre-conditioning program that includes four components: endurance, strength, flexibility, and balance. Aerobic fitness is the key to preventing the end of the day injuries (the last run).Cross training, which includes multiple sports and activities in the conditioning regimen, has become popular, especially with a seasonal sport such as skiing. Strength and flexibility focusing on the legs and trunk are vital in injury prevention specific for skiing. Balance training has been shown to be the single most important exercise for preventing ACL tears in women.
A typical conditioning program can include:

1. Aerobic fitness (5 days/week for at least 30 minutes)

  • Running
  • Cycling
  • Swimming
  • Elliptical or stair climber
  • Jumping rope
  • Treadmill

2. Strength (3 days/week, 2 sets of 60 seconds each)

  • Leg press
  • Wall squats
  • Hamstring curls
  • Toe raises
  • Lateral leg raises
  • Sit-ups

3. Flexibility (daily, 2 sets of 60 seconds each)

  • Hamstring stretches
  • Achilles stretches
  • Quad stretches

4. Balance Exercises (daily, 2 sets of 60 seconds)

  • Standing on one leg, perform mini squats
  • Single leg hop, holding landing for 5 seconds, repeat

In addition to a conditioning program, skiers need to adequately warm up – an activity that is often neglected with skiing. No one would think of running out on the football field or onto the basketball court without warming up first. But with skiing, one typically sits in the car for an hour or more to get to the slopes, and then stands in line for tickets and for the lift, before finally sitting on the chair for several minutes. By the time one has arrived on the top of the hill, he or she is often stiff and cold.

It’s important for skiers to remember to warm up and stretch before starting down the hill.Often an easy, predictable run is a good idea before heading to the more challenging terrain.The few minutes spent warming up will be well worthwhile in injury prevention.

More about knee injuries

Every ski season, I treat many knee injuries. In the 1970′s, ankle injuries were more common, resulting from soft, leather boots. The development of stiffer boots has transferred much of the force to the knee.

The most common knee injury from skiing is the MCL (medial collateral ligament) injury. It often results from catching an edge or having the skis diverge, so that the foot is forced away from the body. This creates a distraction force on the inside of the knee. Fortunately, the MCL has a good blood supply, and can be treated non-operatively, with a period of bracing for 4-8 weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries are also common skiing injuries. They are thought to occur from the forces created by the long lever arm of the ski that are transmitted to the knee ligaments. Commonly, the ACL is injured with a hyperextension mechanism. In expert skiers,we see ACL injuries when saving a backwards fall by a strong quadriceps contraction, pulling the tibia (lower leg) forward with enough force to rupture the ACL. Recent boot and binding technology has reduced the rate of ACL injuries. In young, active individuals, the ACL injuries often require surgical reconstruction. Success rates from surgery are excellent, but require aggressive rehabilitation and six months of recovery time before one can return to skiing or other twisting or pivoting sports.

No one wants to go down the path of surgery and recovery. But too many people wait to think about preparing for skiing until half way through the season, when snow has already accumulated and they are on their way to the top of the mountain. Many times, this is to late. Although injury is a risk we all take when participating in any sport, a conscientious approach to skiing – including equipment inspection and conditioning – will minimize the occurrence. Not only will these precautions reduce injury rate, but they will also enhance performance, decrease fatigue, and ultimately, increase one’s enjoyment of the sport.

We are fortunate in the Pacific Northwest to have great skiing terrain so close. Be safe and prepared so you can enjoy a great skiing season this year.

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2013 Jingle Bell Run/Walk – A Successful Run!

On Sunday, December 8, 2013, Team Proliance Surgeons participated in the Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis event held at the Westlake Center in Seattle, WA. 150 runners and walkers from Team Proliance Surgeons, OSS’parent company, braved the cold weather to participate in the event and raise awareness about arthritis.

According to the Arthritis Foundation, “The Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk is the largest in the country, raising the most money for critical arthritis research and programs! This year we aim to raise even more awareness and more money than ever before to improve the lives of the 1.3 million people with arthritis who live in Washington State.”

Team Proliance Surgeons was the #1 Fundraising team for 2013! We also rank #10 nationally, having raised $12,457.00, the largest amount out of all the teams for this great cause!

Overall, the Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk event raised $649,044.00 giving Seattle, WA the top spot as the highest fundraisers for this event!

Go Team Proliance Surgeons!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Hazel Valdez
Email: hazel@launchmd.com Untitled1

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle Speaker Series on Orthopedic Health and Information Topics Continues through December 2013

Seattle, WA – During the last quarter of 2013, the physicians of Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle (OSS) have been speaking to the community and the greater Seattle population, on orthopedic topics including Joint Replacement, Relief from Hand and Wrist Pain, and Relief from Foot and Ankle Pain at the Swedish Ballard Hospital campus.

Dr. Ruhlman of OSS will be rounding out the Speaker Series with his topic, Relief from Your Hand and Wrist Pain on Wednesday, December 4, 2013 at the Swedish Ballard Hospital campus from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Dr. Ruhlman will discuss treatments for different types of fractures; ways to treat arthritis in the wrist, thumbs and fingers; and how to prevent and treat carpal tunnel syndrome and other overuse conditions. Dr. Ruhlman trained as an Orthopedic Surgeon locally at the University of Washington and spent additional time at Harvard training in the complex disorders affecting the Hand, Shoulder and Elbow. “By using what I have learned, I strive to give you the top orthopedic care by not only achieving superior technical results, but to spend the time necessary to help you understand your injury and so we can work towards your specific goals and needs,” states Dr. Ruhlman.

To find out more and register for this class, visit: https://www.eventsvc.com/swedishhealth/seattle/event/4852f607-7ea9-4123-b207-c4154988bc27.

Physicians at OSS perform highly specialized procedures for orthopedic surgery and general orthopedic care for adults and children. Each one of their eight physicians strives to be a leader in orthopedic medicine. They have extensive training and experience in general orthopedics, trauma, fracture care, total joint replacement, sports medicine, non-surgical treatment and overuse conditions. Treatment of injuries is performed in a relaxed setting, with an expert surgeon, as well as state-of-the art equipment. OSS is also the only orthopedic center in the state of Washington that offers Sonocur, a non-surgical treatment for tendonitis. Their comprehensive orthopedic approach provides patients with the ability to continue their active lifestyles as well as peace of mind.