Risks Associated with Knee Surgery in Children and Adolescents

Risks Associated with Knee Surgery in Children and Adolescents

At Scottish Rite Hospital, patient safety is important to us. Our team often collaborates with outside institutions to advance the care for a particular condition or injury. The hospital’s sports medicine experts are working with other centers to evaluate the complications associated with common arthroscopic procedures. The first of these we have summarized is the results of approximately 10,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions by pediatric orthopedic surgeons.

In the video above, you’ll learn that 1 in every 10 patients will reinjure the SAME leg, and 1 in every 10 patients will reinjure the OPPOSITE leg. It is important that our patients are aware of the risks of a procedure before they make a decision about surgery.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeon Henry B. Ellis, M.D., is actively involved with this particular collaborative project. “To be a part of reducing risks, we have to fully understand the risks,” says Ellis. “That’s why we participate in multicenter projects like Sports Cohort Outcomes REgistry (SCORE). I’m excited about the potential for this project and look forward to sharing more information soon.”

Learn more about the hospital’s sports medicine research.

Golf Tips From Our Golf Expert

Golf Tips From Our Golf Expert

Scottish Rite for Children sports physical therapist Daniel Stokes, P.T., CSCS, SCCC, tells us that golfers don’t realize that their performance and injury prevention are tied together. After years of working with athletes and completing the medical certification program at Titleist Performance Institute, he is eager to help young golfers improve their game and stay injury free. Here are some tips to help you understand the connection.

Why do injuries occur in golf?
Most injuries in golf are caused by tightness or a lack of mobility in a joint. The hip and thoracic spine are key areas of limitations for golfers.

How can golf injuries be prevented?
It’s important to get a good assessment of the golfer to identify specific areas of opportunity on an individual basis. The good news is, the exercises that make a swing better will also reduce the risk of injury. Therefore, performing a golf-specific warm-up program can help prevent injuries and improve performance.

What is the most common cause of golf-related injuries?
The sport of golf is inherently repetitive. Research has shown that repetitive motions can lead to overuse injuries in the lower back, upper back, shoulder and hip.

We are excited to roll out a new program, Warm Up the RITE Way for young golfers. Check out these resources:

  • Download a PDF with photos and instructions.
  • Check out our videos that explain each exercise.
  • Request copies of the handout for your team, club or golf pro.
CultureMap Dallas: Dallas Mavs and Scottish Rite for Children Partnership is a Slam Dunk

CultureMap Dallas: Dallas Mavs and Scottish Rite for Children Partnership is a Slam Dunk

Scottish Rite for Children has teamed up with the Dallas Mavericks to provide young athletes with the tools they need to excel on and off the court.

Scottish Rite for Children has been the official health partner for the Mavs Basketball Academy for the past three years. This year, they launched “Warm Up the RITE Way,” a program that includes exercises hand-selected by sports physical therapists to help athletes — both beginner and advanced — build a proper foundation.

Read the full article and learn about how to continue playing the “RITE” way. 

Teaming Up with Local Coaches to Help Keep Young Athletes Safe

Teaming Up with Local Coaches to Help Keep Young Athletes Safe

As pediatric sports medicine experts, our team is here to take care of injuries, but we spend much of our time working to help kids stay on the field. Through partnerships with organizations like the Frisco Family YMCA, we educate parents and coaches on ways to prevent injuries in young athletes.

Last night, we had the opportunity to share our top tips with volunteer soccer coaches from Frisco. Below is what we shared with them:

  • Many injuries can be prevented. Rules and proper equipment are designed to prevent injuries that involve another player or the environment. “Noncontact” injuries can be avoided with appropriate warm-up and using proper form in fundamental and sport-specific movements.
  • Athletes should not have pain during or after activity. When a young athlete complains of pain related to activity, please advise them to seek a medical evaluation. Responding to complaints of pain early can reduce missed playing time.
  • Concussions are not old news. Recognizing signs and symptoms of a concussion and immediately removing an athlete from play is the responsibility of everyone. Four in ten athletes return too soon and this can cause recovery to be delayed.
  • Varying sports can improve performance and prevent injuries. Studies of collegiate and professional athletes show that athletes who play more than one sport through high school will perform better and have less injuries.
  • Encourage good nutrition, hydration and sleep habits. Teach young athletes to take care of their bodies. They should learn early how to properly fuel, hydrate and rest.

Download a copy to share now.

Many young athletes stop playing sports because of burnout or injury. Trying new sports and learning good habits early, can improve performance, reduce injury risk and lessen the likelihood of early drop out from sports.

Learn more about pediatric sports medicine.

FOX 4: New guidelines changing how schools treat on-the-field injuries

FOX 4: New guidelines changing how schools treat on-the-field injuries

Sports medicine physician Dr. Shane Miller joined FOX 4 News  to share his expertise in keeping student-athletes safe as they return to sports in this Texas heat. Our team has joined forces with Irving Independent School District– FacebookIrving Fire Department and UT Southwestern Medical Center to create a comprehensive emergency plan for when these incidents happen.
 
New guidelines are changing how schools in North Texas respond to sports injuries, even saving lives. A new law was just signed into effect that will require school districts to have a bleeding control kit on each school campus, in addition to training school personnel that may need to “Stop the Bleed.”
 
Regulations are also now in place to help band members acclimate to the Texas heat. Pre-season physicals will be required for all students participating in marching band, due to the increased number of heat related incidents.  

Watch FOX 4’s feature or learn more about Stop the Bleed

Are You Ready for the Lights and Sounds of a Friday Night in Texas?

Are You Ready for the Lights and Sounds of a Friday Night in Texas?

Friday night lights – there is a lot that goes into preparing for these fun, competitive and spirited evenings. Football players, cheerleaders, band members, drill team and color guard start their preparation during the hottest summer months. These practices can be long, hot and physically demanding.

In recognition of these demands, the University Interscholastic League (UIL) recently added band and color guard to the list of sports and activities requiring a pre-participation physical exam (PPE).

Though not typically lumped in with “athletes,” they are expected to perform in similar ways. Marching and choreography requires all of these and more:

  • Coordination, balance and precision
  • Cardiovascular endurance
  • Muscle endurance for holding an instrument weighing as much as 20 pounds

After weeks of limited activity over the summer, many students try to jump back into their activity at full intensity. The rest and off-season time is important, but without proper preparation, the sudden start of long and intense pre-season practices can sideline a band member. As with many sports, injuries before and during marching season can be avoided with conditioning and using proper form. Each instrument has its own demands, but here are some general recommendations to consider:

Positioning

  • Maintain forearms in line with hands and avoid bending at the wrists. Flute and piccolo players should keep their instruments parallel to the ground.
  • Relax the shoulders.
  • Wear straps to distribute the weight of the instrument and allow free movement of the fingers.
  • Avoid locking knees when maintaining a static position.

Conditioning

  • Stretch the fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders and hamstrings before practices and performances.
  • Core and hip muscle strengthening improves hip and leg positioning and lowers the risk of back pain, especially with long periods of standing and carrying heavy instruments, such as drums.
  • Lower body strengthening helps to prevent knee hyperextension and anterior knee pain.

Hydration and Nutrition

  • Plan for hydration because uniforms tend to be made of heavy materials that trap heat. Strategies to stay hydrated and cool are important to prevent heat illness.
  • Pack fueling snacks for long days of training or competition.

Rest

  • A day of rest is recommended from each sport, this also applies to marching band and color guard.

Friday nights in Texas wouldn’t be the same without the marching band playing the fight songs and creating the energy in the stands. Parents, directors and students should take signs of injury seriously. As with any sport, proper preparation doesn’t prevent every injury. Pain during and after activity should be evaluated.

Check out sports medicine physician Shane M. Miller, M.D., in his recent interview with Fox 4 regarding this topic.

Learn more about our pediatric sports medicine practice.