The Foundry Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Blog

Well, Spring Training for Major League teams is well underway in Arizona and Florida. Your local Little League/Babe Ruth organizations have already had try-outs and registrations. High School Softball and Baseball teams are working out and already planning scrimmages against each other. You may be thinking about playing in your local adult Recreation League. Whatever the scenario, one of the most important elements for preventing injury has probably been overlooked—training and conditioning.

Core strength is more than just having six pack abs. The abdominal muscles on their own have very limited actions. The "core" actually consists of many different muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis.  When these muscles contract they stabilize the spine, pelvis and shoulder girdle. Precise, strong and accurate movements of the extremities are able to be performed due to the stabilization throughout the low back and core. 

Mallet finger is a deformity of a finger caused when the extensor tendon at the joint closest to the fingertip is damaged. When a ball or other object strikes the tip of the finger or thumb, the force damages the thin tendon that straightens the finger. The force of the blow may tear the tendon or even pull away a piece of bone along with the tendon. The finger or thumb cannot be actively straightened. This condition is also known as "Baseball Finger."  The source of the trauma is not always violent; it is common for seemingly mundane events such as tucking in a bedspread or pulling down socks or stockings while holding the finger straight to provoke these injuries.

     With the onset of warm weather, cyclists will be out in full force with both the recreational and competitive rider increasing their time and mileage on the bike both on the road and the trail. Cycling has its own subset of overuse injuries similar to other sports.
     It is important for both the serious recreational and competitive athlete to have at least a basic understanding of bicycle design and fit.  Proper fit and functional adjustment will limit overuse injuries that cyclists are at risk.  Proper frame fit and functional adjustment will make power transfer more efficient and the ride more satisfying.  I would suggest a consultation with your local bike shop or reputable on line site for more information regarding frame fit and adjustment. Here is one example.
     Cyclists tend to have very overdeveloped Hamstring, Gastroc and lower back muscles. This muscle hypertrophy tends to make them less flexible and prone to muscle strains and frictional bursitis in certain anatomic areas. Routine stretching and strengthening of these muscles is important to prevent injuries and keep the rider in the saddle.
     Pedaling resistance is also thought to be a significant contributor to overuse cycling injuries. It is recommended that cadence be maintained above 70 rpm to avoid excessive loads on the legs and lower back and increasing risk for injury.
     Some of the more common injuries to the lower extremities from cycling that we see at Foundry Sports Medicine are as follows:

Since Nike introduced it’s first running shoe in the mid 1970’s, sneakers and running shoes have gone through an amazing evolution.  Billions of dollars have been spent by shoe companies to research the mechanics of the walking and running patterns of humans. But one question often asked by patients is: What shoe is the best one for me?  Besides being a fashion accessory, the right shoe can make a world of difference in how a person feels when active.  Isn’t the best of both worlds to look good and feel good at the same time?