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St. Francis Sports Medicine Newsletter |  April 2009
In This Issue
Featured Event
Ask the Expert
Event Photos

Quick Links


Event
Calendar
Stop by and see
us at one of these
upcoming sports
events!

4/6, 4/13, 4/20, 4/27

Thornblade Tennis
Injury Clinics

4/7, 4/14, 4/21, 4/28
Donaldson Center
Cycling


4/11
Furman Blue Shoes

4/11
Ultimate Frisbee
Tournament


4/14, 4/21, 4/28
SportsClub
Injury Clinics


4/18
Ultimate Frisbee
Tournament


4/18
Wheels for Meals
Training Ride


4/23
POA Cycling Race

4/25
Wheels for Meals




SFSPC

Is your child up for

a sports challenge?
Encourage them
to come test their
speed, strength
and agility at the
annual St. Francis
Sports Medicine
Sports Performance
Challenge on
Saturday, May 9.
The event is open
to male and female
athletes from the
7th -12th grade.
Awards and
scholarships will
be presented to
the top performers.
 
Click here for more information



Sports Injury?
Call 675-HURT

675-HURT is your
24/7 hotline for
athletic and active
health care. If
you have any
injury questions,
need treatment
advice or need
to schedule an
orthopedic
appointment,
then call us.


We would also
be glad to send
one of our ATC's
to cover your
event or speak
to your group
free of charge.




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Greetings!

As spring begins, we're all heading back outdoors. With high school baseball and softball in full swing (pardon the pun), this month's feature is on throwing injuries If you have ideas for future topics, please email and let us know!


Preventing Elbow Injuries in Young Pitchers


By Kenny Cabe, ATC
 
One of the biggest problems that young baseball and softball pitchers face is injuries to the elbow. When I worked in college athletics, we would see many baseball players who had pre-existing elbow problems that either ended or changed their careers. Many of them had chronic tendonitis or ulnar collateral ligament instability.
Elbow Tendonitis
To understand these conditions, it helps to understand the anatomy of the arm. The forearm has both tendons and ligaments. The tendons of the forearm attach to the inside and the outer side of the elbow, and the two primary ligaments (ulnar collateral and radial collateral) attach to the inner and outer sides of the elbow, respectively.

With repetitive stress, tendons in the elbow area can become inflamed, causing pain on either side of the elbow when throwing. Repetitive stress and improper mechanics also can cause ligaments to develop micro tears, or even tears to the point that they rupture.

There are several things that can be done to prevent these problems, including proper body mechanics, strengthening exercises, and avoiding risky pitches and high pitch counts. Read more...



Ask the Expert:Alan Posta MD
Alan Posta, MD | Carolina Orthopaedic Associates
 
Q
What trends have you noticed when it comes to adolescent baseball and softball players?

A
"Most adolescent elbow injuries are due to a combination of overuse, poor mechanics and muscle imbalance during a time of rapid growth. Most people do not realize that 50% of the power generated during the pitching motion comes from the lower extremity. There has been a trend towards more ulnar collateral injuries in younger athletes, which can be attributed to throwing curve balls and sliders at too early an age. USA Baseball has come up with age specific guidelines for not only the number of pitches thrown but the type of pitch thrown."


More baseball tips from Dr. Posta...



Event Photo Gallery

Spring Series

Greenville Spring Series


SportsClub Juniors Tennis

SportsClub Juniors' Tennis



If you are interested in having a St. Francis Sports Medicine trainer speak or be present at your athletic event, please send us an email.
 
Sincerely,
The St. Francis Sports Medicine Team