Sports Medicine Reality Check for Young Athletes Long-term effects of overuse injuries are a serious concern By Dennis Viellieu Over a year ago, <strong>Midwest</strong> <strong>Orthopaedics</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Rush</strong> (MOR) decided to experiment with promoting sports safety in a vulnerable popul<strong>at</strong>ion — children. This decision was precipit<strong>at</strong>ed by the continuing trend for <strong>at</strong>hletes to select a sport of choice <strong>at</strong> younger and younger ages. They compete, train, and particip<strong>at</strong>e in these sports year-round, increasing the probability of overuse injuries and the chance for sustaining an injury th<strong>at</strong> will affect them for a lifetime. MOR started a program to provide children and their coaches with sports safety Tammy Sciortino (far right) teaches sports safety to <strong>at</strong>hletes and their coaches with the goal of reducing overuse injuries through MOR’s <strong>at</strong>hletic training outreach program. 1 Orthopaedic Excellence inform<strong>at</strong>ion, clinical coverage for tournaments and games, and medical advice or tre<strong>at</strong>ment. To lead the effort, MOR turned to Tammy Sciortino, an experienced <strong>at</strong>hletic trainer familiar with young <strong>at</strong>hletes in year-round programs. Before coming to MOR, Sciortino was the president and CEO of her own sports performance company, Sports Sciorts. In addition, she had <strong>at</strong>hletic training, strength training, and massage experience working with organiz<strong>at</strong>ions like the Chicago Fire Soccer Team, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour, and Illinois Gymnastics Institute. Working with physical and <strong>at</strong>hletic training company partners of MOR, Sciortino had the program up and running quickly. In one year, there are more than 7,000 <strong>at</strong>hletes particip<strong>at</strong>ing in clubs affili<strong>at</strong>ed with the MOR outreach program. Sciortino and MOR offer sports safety classes and seminars to help make coaches and trainers aware of overuse injuries as well as other safety concerns. MOR also plans to offer first aid and CPR programs to the clubs to ensure th<strong>at</strong> coaches and trainers are prepared for medical issues th<strong>at</strong> might arise. The Truth Hurts According to SAfe KIdS uSA: · More than . million children ages 1 and under receive medical tre<strong>at</strong>ment for sports injuries each year. · Injuries associ<strong>at</strong>ed with particip<strong>at</strong>ion in sports and recre<strong>at</strong>ional activities account for 21% of all traum<strong>at</strong>ic brain injuries among children in the united St<strong>at</strong>es. · Overuse injuries, which occur over time from repe<strong>at</strong>ed motion, are responsible for nearly half of all sports injuries to middle- and high-school students. Imm<strong>at</strong>ure bones, insufficient rest after an injury, and poor training or conditioning contribute to overuse injuries among children. · Most organized sports-rel<strong>at</strong>ed injuries ( 2%) occur during practices r<strong>at</strong>her than games. despite this fact, a third of parents often do not take the same safety precautions during their child’s practices as they would for a game. · A recent survey found th<strong>at</strong> among <strong>at</strong>hletes ages to 1 , 1 % of basketball players, 2 % of football players, 22% of soccer players, 2 % of baseball players, and 12% percent of softball players have been injured while playing their respective sports. source: sportssafety.org In 2007, Sciortino and MOR plan to roll out a sports safety program th<strong>at</strong> is being developed in-house with the various sports medicine physicians. Anyone interested in either of these programs should call Sciortino directly <strong>at</strong> (708) 236-2624 (office) or (630) 272-2501 (cell). Dennis Viellieu is Chief Executive Officer of <strong>Midwest</strong> <strong>Orthopaedics</strong> <strong>at</strong> <strong>Rush</strong> and has served in this position for five years. He enjoys golf, basketball, and mountain biking.
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