Horse Jockeys and the Risk of Broken Bones

horse racing wallpaper

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

fifa-world-cup-2014-UnoTelly

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.

Are you a Desk Jockey? How are your Joints?

desk jockey

The orthopedic surgeons at OSS and the physical therapists at Seattle Orthopedic Center (SOC) see a fair amount of orthopedic injuries from all walks of life ranging from body-related complaints – some from accidents, some from surgery and some from extreme sports.  And yet, some of the most common injuries come from sitting at your desk all day. 

“Desk Jockey”

Commonly dubbed a “Desk Jockey” means that most of your days is spent sitting at your desk, on the phone, pushing paper, and using your computer, laptop or tablet.

When compared to more physical occupations, a Desk Jockey wouldn’t seem like someone experiencing a joint injury but more like a paper cut or stapler accident.  All the work you do on your computer, there are several ways to incur both a neck and shoulder injury caused by repetitive motion. 

All the mouse click you make in a day, improper monitor positioning, chair height and keyboard position may cause neck and shoulder pain that can become acute, causing a severe amount of fatigue.  Although most of these injuries may not become chronic in nature, for some, the shoulder pain and neck pain persists.

OSS offers these tips while working at your desk to help alleviate neck and shoulder pain:

  • Simple Ergonomics – Set up your workstation so that your keyboard, mouse, monitor, and chair are in the optimal position for your body.
  • Move – Take breaks; stop working for a moment, get up and move.  Change positions into your day to help relieve the tension and reduce strain in your neck, back, shoulders, hips and knees.
  • Stretch – If you spend several hours a day typing, there are common finger and wrist muscles that get used over and over again. This repetitive motion can cause strain and lead to repetitive stress injuries.
  • Sleep – A good night’s rest is a great chance to give your back and neck some support and relief for as long as you’re lucky enough to remain horizontal. Sleep also plays an important restorative role in healing injuries and keeping the body healthy.

According to Nicole Marble, PT, “As physical and occupational therapists, we help patients achieve structural balance through education, therapeutic exercise, neuromuscular re-education, and manual therapies that mobilize soft tissues and joints. This will decrease pain and maximize function whether our patients sit for prolonged periods or participate in high level sports and activities.

Here at SOC/OSS our physical therapists are able to offer personalized care with 45-minute one-on-one treatment sessions. We also work closely with the orthopedic surgeons to create and maintain a physical therapy program that is designed to get you back to what you love. “

If you are suffering from joint pain and injury, contact OSS to schedule an appointment with one of our physicians at (206) 633-8100.

Shoulder Dislocation and Treatment

safeshoulderdraw

Here in the Pacific Northwest outdoor activities are a way of life. From lumberjacks to the most experienced kayaker, healthy joints are important to perform various tasks and activities that involved upper body strength involving our shoulders.

The shoulder is the most mobile joint in the human body. To accomplish this, the shoulder requires a balance of stability and strength.

Shoulder Dislocation

Shoulder dislocation is a fairly common injury sustained by people of all age ranges. It is generally a sudden onset type of injury, which is caused by trauma to the shoulder region. There are many causes of this type of injury, from athletics to falling from a ladder. Most dislocations occur as the arm is outstretched to the side or overhead in conjunction with a force pushing the arm backward.

Dislocated shoulder signs and symptoms may include:

  • A visibly deformed or out of place shoulder
  • Swelling or discoloration (bruising)
  • Intense pain
  • Inability to move the joint

Shoulder dislocation may also cause numbness, weakness or tingling near the injury such as in your neck or down your arm. The muscles in your shoulder may be in spasm from the disruption, often increasing the intensity of your pain.

When the shoulder dislocates, the ligaments in the front of the shoulder tear causing pain and at least some loss of function in the affected arm. Although the ligaments may heal, the result is a shoulder that has even more laxity and instability than prior to the injury. Many athletes and active individuals will experience multiple occurrences of dislocation after the first event due to the increasingly unstable shoulder.

Successive dislocations, because of the increased amount of instability in the joint, often take significantly less force to occur. Whereas the first dislocation is usually the result of a traumatic force upon the shoulder, subsequent dislocations could result from ordinary, athletic or heavy use of the arm.

A common condition that may exist with shoulder dislocation is a SLAP tear, which is a tear to a structure in the shoulder known as the glenoid labrum. The labrum is a cartilage rim, similar to an O-ring, which covers the outside edge of the shoulder socket. This acts to deepen the socket and give the shoulder some extra stability. But under the extreme force of a shoulder dislocation, the labrum can be torn from the bone, creating a painful injury with reduced motion and strength of the arm.

Labral tears often produce a clicking or popping with shoulder motion, along with apprehension in the overhead ranges. Because these cartilaginous structures do not have a great blood supply, they often do not heal on their own and may require surgical intervention to re-attach the labrum to the bone.

Shoulder Dislocation Treatment

According to Dr. Shapiro, “A consistent strengthening program is often the key to shoulder stability.” There are many treatment options available for these types of shoulder injuries. Some are non-surgical such as physical therapy, while more extensive injuries may require surgical repair.

Dr. Joel Shapiro, MD, specializes in surgical and non-surgical treatment of shoulder injuries at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle and uses the latest technologies and research studies to aid in the diagnostic process and treatment of your injury.

A good physical therapy program can help protect against instability. While this cannot help everyone, a diligent therapy program is always the first step. After evaluating your shoulder, a customized therapy program will be created.

If you believe you are suffering from a shoulder injury, Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle is here to help.