‘Tis the Season for Sports Medicine
Ah, Spring! When sports enthusiasts head outdoors for fun, the Shady Grove orthopedic specialists head to the hospital.
That’s because all the running, jumping, crashing and bumping that athletes and amateurs experience can lead to any number of injuries, from simple to serious.
“Think about it. In spring, a lot of sports teams are in full swing, and people are back on their bikes, running, on the courts or on the golf course,” says Steven L. Tuck, M.D., a specialist in pediatric orthopedics, hand surgery, and an orthopedic surgeon at Shady Grove. “So that’s when the injuries occur - for all ages.”
Sports Medicine for the Whole Family
For Sonja Sienkowski, RN, an operating room nurse at Shady Grove, sports is a way of life for her whole family. And they’ve had their share of injuries. Her son, John Matthew, 15, is a lineman on the football team, a defenseman on the lacrosse team at Frederick High School, and has been to the pediatric emergency room twice for head injuries.
Daughter Kayla, 14, is a team member of the Frederick Gymnastics Club, and gymnasts are especially prone to injuries, from rolled ankles to more serious injuries. Kayla herself has had a number of reasons to see orthopedists, including Dr. Tuck, who often attends to injuries the gymnastic team encounters.
Sonja and her husband have also relied on Shady Grove’s sports medicine specialists; she for an injured knee and wrist, her husband for injuries to both Achilles tendons.
“I work with these people. That’s why I know there’s no other place I’d go,” says Sonja. “The orthopedists, the anesthetists, they’re topnotch. They really keep up with the trends and the technology.”
Trends, Technology & Training Experts
“The doctors also really understand high-performance training,” she adds. “Some of these kids here are competing on national teams and receiving intensive training. These physicians are familiar with the kind of stresses these kids’ bodies are going through.”
Shady Grove Adventist Hospital has 37 physicians credentialed in orthopedics — the branch of medicine specializing in muscles and bones. Many have specific areas of expertise. If you’d like to find an orthopedist with a particular specialty, call our physician referral line at 800-642-0101.
| Preparing Young Athletes |
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 Kids’ bodies are growing fast. On the average, they grow 2” per year, and up to 6” per year in early adolescence, says Dr. Steven Tuck, a pediatric orthopedist. Since their bones are growing faster than their muscles, young people especially need to stretch and strengthen — reasonably.
For Young Athletes
- Warm-up and cool-down stretching routines. Cool-down stretching is especially important.
- Frequently, parents ask about weight lifting. In general, it’s reasonable for a young person to
lift up to and including his own weight, not beyond.
- Consult with your child’s coach or trainer for stretching and strengthening exercises.
If you need additional advice, contact an orthopedist or sports medicine specialist.
For Adults Who Exercise or Play Sports
- Conditioning is vitally important.
- Start slow and build your way up.
- Core training and yoga are a great place to start.
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