2006 Press Releases

Understanding Risks is Key to Preventing Athletic and Recreational Injuries

Livingston, NJ -- Most injuries resulting from athletic and recreational sports can be prevented with proper education, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS).There are an estimated 4.3 million injuries related to sports each year with 1.9 million of those considered to be serious. Many of these injuries arise during unorganized or informal sports activities.

“An orthopedic surgeon’s job is to not only treat injuries,” said H. Mahmood Cheema, M.D., attending orthopedic surgeon and Chairman of Orthopedic Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center, “but also to educate patients on how to prevent them from happening again. For example, understanding what body parts can be affected and learning how to fall properly can prevent skiing injuries from occurring.”

According to the AAOS, implementing a safety program within a sport has been shown to reduce the rates of injuries. It is imperative to be aware that children – because they have less coordination, slower reaction times and are unable to assess dangers involved – are at a higher risk of injury.

Though the rate and severity of a sports-related injury increases with a child’s age, studies have shown that by the time they reach puberty, boys are more likely than girls to sustain a sports-related injury. Also, children who do not wear the proper protective gear or are new to a sport are at greater risk.

The Department of Surgery at Saint Barnabas Medical Center recommends the following advice to patients to help reduce the number of recreational and athletic sports injuries:

• Have a physical exam to ensure healthiness prior to joining any new activity.
• Wear properly fitting, appropriate protective gear when participating in all sports whether it is recreational, practice or a game situation.
• For children, evaluate not only physical development and skill, but also social maturity before participating in a recreational sport. Make sure to match the skills, age, weight and maturity level with the sport.
• Make certain that all participants are educated on the proper rules and techniques of the sport they are playing.
• Ensure a safe playing environment.
• Enforce safety rules.
• All athletes should stay properly hydrated.
• Have an emergency plan in place.
  

There are also a number of safety measures that should be put into practice when supervising a number of popular athletic and recreational activities:

Baseball –Players should be taught proper sliding techniques, avoiding headfirst sliding. Breakaway bases and larger first-base bags should be installed on all playing fields. It is crucial to protect pitchers with L-screens and ball and bat regulations.

Cheerleading –Limit the height and complexity of stunts, ensure flyers maintain a vertical level and improve the skills of the spotters.
Ice hockey – Players should wear the proper gear, including pads, helmets and facemasks. They should also avoid checking from behind.

Soccer – Smaller balls should be used at the youth level and athletes should be trained on the proper heading and kicking techniques. Also, goal posts should be anchored securely and should not be used for climbing.

Swimming – Swimmers should adhere to all rules, specifically in race diving. Swimmers should not hyperventilate prior to race dive and should break the surface of the water before 15 meters.

Wrestling – Strict penalties should be placed on participants for intentional slams. Also, wrestlers should use the heads-up technique.

For a referral to a Saint Barnabas Medical Center orthopedic surgeon, please call 1-888-SBHS-123.

Date: September 29, 2006

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