Over the past few months, members from our team have been invited as guests on The Human Side of Health Care – a weekly radio program hosted by the DFW Hospital Council that broadcasts on KRLD 1080 AM.
Dr. Shane Miller recently discussed what parents need to know when it comes to sports injuries and concussions.
In general, females undergo growth spurts earlier in life than males. This means that most girls experience significant growth at a younger age than boys. Julia Buckelew, P.T., D.P.T., says, “According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), peak height velocity occurs at an average age of 11.5 years old in girls and 13.5 years old in boys.” Some dancers can experience a delay in puberty which may cause the growth spurt to occur at a later age. Hormonal and weight changes that occur during growth spurts affect dancers in a unique way. Challenges include changes in:
Sports medicine physician and former dancer Jane S. Chung, M.D., advises dancers to be aware that these changes that occur in this peri-adolescent period of growth, may predispose them to be prone to injuries. She says, “Techniques and certain routines which they were able to perform prior, can sometimes become more difficult for them to perform as a result of these changes that affect their body.” This can sometimes be frustrating for the young dancer, but Chung encourages dancers to be kind and embrace these changes, instead of fighting against them. Work with your dance teachers to help adjust and adapt to the new growing body.
Chung sees peri-adolescent and adolescent dancers in her clinic with these conditions and many others:
“Dancers should try to be patient with themselves during times of growth,” says Buckelew. She teaches dancers to recognize these changes and perceived setbacks as temporary. As a physical therapist and one of our dance medicine specialists, she sees many dancers who become discouraged with their movement quality and performance. “If we can help them understand and anticipate the changes associated with their growth spurt, they are likely to come through this phase with new respect and confidence in their bodies.” She recommends focusing on improving movement quality and technique during this time.
Three tips for dancers to rock their growth spurts:
Chung and Buckelew have a passion for caring for dancers. They share their expertise to the community to help dancers and others prevent injuries and develop skills that help them perform at their best.
If your dancer has concerns or activity-related pain, request an appointment in our Sports Medicine clinic.
Keeping Up With the Count – This content is provided by a multidisciplinary team of staff that are passionate about keeping young dancers safe and healthy.
In January, Truth was playing in a scrimmage. Positioned to score, her leg collided with a defender attempting to block her shot. Truth felt a “pop”, fell to the ground, and had to be carried off the field. Fortunately, Truth’s mother knew exactly where to take her daughter for treatment.
Wyatt says, “Rehabilitation is an extremely important component of an athlete’s course of recovery and safe return to sports.” Unfortunately, not long after Truth’s surgery, the coronavirus pandemic forced facilities to stop seeing patients in person. Wyatt and the Sports Medicine team were able to continue Truth’s care and monitor her range of motion and recovery virtually with telemedicine visits.
When it was safe, she transitioned from her home exercise program to in-person physical therapy. Truth was motivated and engaged when her physical therapy began because she knew her physical therapists wanted to get her back on the field as much as she did.
Today, Truth is back on the soccer field with the Solar Soccer Club, playing the game she has loved since she was little. She has been training hard since she was cleared three months ago to achieve her goal of getting back into “soccer shape.” “Scottish Rite for Children works effectively and purposefully to heal our young, growing athletes,” says Agatha. “We are all delighted that Truth had a healthy, speedy recovery full of people in her corner who cared about her and helped make this challenging process a very pleasant experience.”
Wilson says, “Truth’s injury would have made some kids second guess their future in sports, but her drive and commitment to her sport and her physical therapy program are second to none. Our team is inspired and motivated by athletes like her, and we can’t wait to see her succeed at SMU and beyond.”
We enjoy hearing about our current and former patients’ success stories. Tell us about your MVP.
Over the past few months, members from our team have been invited as guests on The Human Side of Health Care – a weekly radio program hosted by the DFW Hospital Council that broadcasts on KRLD 1080 AM.
Below are the topics discussed.
The Human Side of Health Care
Former Administrative Director of the Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia & Learning Disorders – Gladys Kolenovsky
This segment provides details about Scottish Rite for Children’s Luke Waites Center for Dyslexia & Learning Disorders – the history of the program, defining dyslexia and sharing the impact Scottish Rite’s team has had on children diagnosed with this condition over the years.
Listen to the full episode.
The Human Side of Health Care
Director of Therapeutic Recreation – Dana Dempsey
This segment gives an overview of Scottish Rite for Children’s Therapeutic Recreation department – how this team impacts our patient population by helping children with a disability or chronic medical condition to learn the skills they need to be involved in leisure activities and recreation.
Listen to the full episode.
The Human Side of Health Care
Director of Patient Experience – Ashleigh Kinney
In this segment, Scottish Rite for Children’s Director of Patient Experience Ashleigh Kinney, explains the importance of unconditional positive regard and how it is implemented throughout the organization.
Listen to the full episode.
In our Fracture Clinic at the Frisco campus, our team cares for various types of fractures – from simple to complex. It is important to be seen by a pediatric specialist when your child gets injured because treating growing bones is different than treating adult bones.
The distal radius buckle fracture is one of the most commonly seen fractures in our patient population. These fractures heal well with splint immobilization for four weeks. In general, the patient seen in our clinic do well with this type of fracture and are able to return to full activity quickly after splint removal.
What is a buckle fracture?
A buckle fracture or torus fracture is a break in the bone. One side of the bone may buckle or bend upon itself without breaking the other side of the bone. Pediatric bones are softer and more flexible than adult bones, therefore this is a very common injury for children. It can also be called an incomplete fracture.
Generally, buckle fractures occur in the distal radius portion of the wrist and occurs when falling on the hand. Often this injury occurs from a fall on outstretched hand, or “FOOSH.”
What are the symptoms?
How is a buckle fracture diagnosed?
A detailed history and physical exam will be performed. In many cases, X-rays will be used to see if the arm is fractured/broken.
What is the treatment?
A removable wrist splint is worn for four weeks. The splint helps protect the bone and keep it still to allow for adequate healing. It is important to wear the splint for the full time, even after the pain is gone. The splint should only be taken off with parent’s help during showering/bathing and for a daily skin check.
What to expect following treatment:
Learn more about the Fracture Clinic.