2014 Sochi Olympic Injuries

The 2014 Sochi Olympics has had a fair share of injuries, none more so than the extreme sports that were added to the winter games as a way to attract a younger audience to watch and show interest in the Games.

OSS admires all the Olympians competing for the Gold as well as glory for their respective country; and as the final week rounds out this year’s Winter Olympics, we want to wish all the athletes who were involved in some kind of injury, a speedy recovery.

According to Dr. Charlie Peterson, “These events demonstrate that even at the elite level of competition, injuries are part of the game for all athletes. It re-emphasizes the need for maximum fitness and proper techniques and equipment to minimize the chance of injury, as well as the timely treatment of injuries when they occur.”

Here is a rundown of athletes and their injuries:

Ski-cross racer Maria Komissarova of Russia broke her spine during a practice run at the Extreme Park and is being treated in Munich after undergoing surgery in Krasnaya Polyana, the nearest town to the venue.
Canadian skier Yuki Tsubota suffered a mild concussion and a fractured cheekbone in a Feb. 11 crash during the women’s slopestyle event, where athletes soar and slide over obstacles before launching themselves off progressively larger jumps. The 20-year-old landed short and was taken off the course on a stretcher. She has returned home to see if she needs surgery.
During the women’s snowboard cross event on Feb. 16, Jacqueline Hernandez of the U.S. was carried off after she banged her head, as was Norway’s Helene Olafsen with a knee injury.
Islanders star John Tavares is out for the season after suffering a left knee injury in Team Canada’s win over Latvia on February 18.
Bode Miller owns a U.S.-record six Olympic Alpine medals, including a bronze in the super-G from last weekend that made him the oldest ski racer to win a Winter Games medal. He said Wednesday, February 18 that his knee bothered him after that race, and it’s been swollen during the Sochi Olympics.
Heidi Kloser of Vail injures right knee in crash, out of Sochi Olympic moguls

March Madness – Preventing Basketball Injuries

The 2014 NCAA Men’s Basketball tournament starts on March 18, 2014 and OSS congratulates all the teams who have made it to the tournament. March Madness is a frenetic tournament of college teams on their quest to be the best.

Getting to this tournament has been long and sometimes with injury, but we hope that they have performed all the necessary conditioning so that they can compete with the best.

Basketball is a fast, moving sport and sometimes, injuries can occur. Common basketball injuries include:

Ankle Sprains

Treatment for an ankle sprain involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). The need for X-rays and evaluation by an OSS physician is determined on a case-by- case basis and depends on the severity and location of pain. Pain and swelling over the bone itself may need further evaluation. An injury to the ankle could represent a simple sprain or could be the result of an injury to the growth plates located around the ankle and should be evaluated by a physician.

Jammed Fingers

Jammed fingers occur when the ball contacts the end of the finger and causes significant swelling of a single joint. Application of ice and buddy taping the finger to the adjacent finger may provide some relief and allow the athlete to return to play. If pain and swelling persist, evaluation by a physician or athletic trainer is recommended and an x-ray of the finger may be needed.

According to Dr. Scott Ruhlman, “It is often difficult to distinguish a devastating finger injury versus a simple sprain based on swelling alone. An x-ray is key to guide ideal treatment.”

Knee Injuries

Basketball requires extensive stop and go and cutting maneuvers which can put the ligaments and menisci of the knee at risk. Injury to the medial collateral ligament is most common following a blow to the outside of the knee and can often be treated with ice, bracing and a gradual return to activity.

Deep Thigh Bruising

Treatment includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Commercially available girdles with thigh pads are now available for protection.

Foot Fractures

Stress fractures can occur from a rapid increase in activity level or training or from overtraining. Stress fractures in basketball most commonly occur in the foot and lower leg (tibia). Once diagnosed, a period of immobilization and non-weight bearing is recommended. Return to play is permitted once the fracture has completely healed and the athlete is pain free.

Prevention of Basketball Injuries

Have a pre-season physical examination and follow your doctor’s recommendations for basketball injury prevention
Hydrate adequately – waiting until you are thirsty is often too late to hydrate properly
Pay attention to environmental recommendations, especially in relation to excessively hot and humid weather, to help avoid heat illness
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 basketball through activities such as aerobic conditioning, strength training, and agility training.
Avoid overuse injuries – more is not always better. Many sports medicine specialists 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.”
Talk with your coach, an OSS physician and/or athletic trainer about an ACL injury prevention program and incorporating the training principles into team warm-ups.
The athlete should return to play only when clearance is granted by a health care professional.

Dr. Jonathan Franklin reminds everyone that “Conditioning and flexibility are key as they reduce the risk of injury during the season. Preparing your body for a game ahead of time will pay off with more success during the season.”

If you believe you are suffering from a basketball-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.

Dr. Ruhlman Featured in Swedish Ballard

This is Swedish Ballard’s third post in a four-part series to encourage and inspire Ballard residents and the surrounding communities to be healthy while leading active lifestyles in 2014. Below, posted in its entirety, is the article from Swedish Ballard’s web site; posted 1/29/14.

By Scott Ruhlman, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon

Looking to be more active in 2014? Have you been waiting all year to enjoy winter sports such as skiing or snowboarding?

There are a few common injuries that often get my patients down when they are on the go. Below are a few tips and tricks to help you prevent these common injuries and determine the best treatment options should you need it.

Sprains/Fractures
The most common injuries in the wrist and ankle are sprains and fractures. Throwing, twisting, weight-bearing, and impact can put you at risk for a wrist injury. Ankle sprains and fractures are typically caused by making a fast, shifting movement with your foot planted on the ground.

In most cases, I recommend the RICE approach: rest for around 48 hours; ice the injured area to reduce swelling (use a pack wrapped in a towel); compress with an elastic ACE wrap; and elevate the injury above heart level.

However, if you experience these symptoms, contact your provider for further evaluation.

Pain at the time of injury
Swelling
Bruising or discoloration
Difficulty moving the wrist or ankle
A “popping” or tearing sensation during the trauma
Warmth and tenderness of the skin

More serious injuries will likely be treated with a splint, boot or cast. The healing process can take up to six weeks. Surgery may also be required.

ACL Tears
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of the major ligaments in your knee that helps with stabilization when turning or planting. ACL injuries take place during cutting or pivoting movements. The hallmark of a torn ACL is a distinct popping noise and your knee may give out. The affected knee will begin to swell and become stiff between 2-12 hours after the injury. People often experience pain or tenderness, and discomfort while standing or walking.

Treatment for ACL injuries depend on the severity of the tear, as well as your age and activity level. Non-surgical treatment such as physical therapy or using a brace may be sufficient. Other individuals will need reconstructive surgery. In all cases, it is important to consult with your provider as soon as possible if you suspect a problem.

Rotator Cuff Tears
The rotator cuff is a group of four small muscles and tendons in the shoulder that provide stability to the shoulder and mobility to the arm. A torn rotator cuff can happen in two ways. An acute tear happens suddenly, such as when you fall on an outstretched hand or lift a heavy object. Tears can also happen slowly over time. As we age, the tendons of the rotator cuff become weaker and gradually fray.

Symptoms of a rotator cuff tear include pain with movement of the shoulder and tenderness to touch. Inability to lift even household objects out to the side or overhead is also typical. Another indicator is a prior history of shoulder tendonitis or bursitis as this would point to excessive stress on the rotator cuff over time.

Treatment can be conservative for some tears, including physical therapy to improve shoulder mobility and progressively strengthen the cuff muscles. However, the majority of tears will likely require surgery to restore shoulder function.

Meniscus Tears
The meniscus helps to absorb shock, as well as stabilize the knee joint. A lot of your body weight is distributed through the meniscus when you move, especially when performing athletic activity. Meniscus tears are caused by twisting and compression that can occur with such activities as running or jumping.

If you have a meniscus tear, you may hear a popping sound or feel a tear or rip in the knee. Swelling generally occurs within a few minutes to a couple of hours and your knee might feel like it is out of place. In less acute injuries, swelling may not occur. Your knee might feel like it’s catching during movement, or like it’s “out of place”. If you suspect you may have a meniscus tear, make an appointment with your provider right away.

Initial treatment of a meniscal tear is typically nonsurgical, and may include RICE (rest, ice, compression and elevation). If the tear doesn’t heal, you may need surgery.

Prevention
While the majority of these sports injuries are due to circumstance and pre-existing injuries, there are precautions that you can take to help prevent them from happening to you:

Maintaining a lifestyle involving consistent exercise
Warming up and stretching prior to rigorous activities
Cooling down and slowly relaxing after exercise.

Dr. Scott Ruhlman practices orthopedic surgery at Orthopedic Specialists of Seattle, and has extensive experience with sports medicine. If you have any questions regarding your shoulder pain or function, please feel free to contact Dr. Ruhlman’s office at (206) 784-8833.

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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