Shasta Orthopaedics News & Events

Kids Take Longer To Recover After Multiple Concussions

A new study suggests that children who have had a concussion previously are more likely to take longer to recover than children who experience their first concussion.

Study Suggests Kids Take Longer to Recover after First Concussion

The new study (“Time Interval Between Concussions and Symptom Duration”) published by the American Academy of Pediatrics in June, is based on research completed after watching 280 children and young adults between the ages of 11 and 22 who had been previously been treated for a concussion. The study factored in the time between the concussions and noted the effect that each concussion had on the patient. Children that experienced a second concussion within one year of their first concussion exhibited a recovery period that was three times longer than children and young adults that experienced their concussions more than one year apart.

Women More At Risk For ACL Injuries

ACL Injuries In Women

Women and girls are more likely to suffer from torn ACLs than their male counterparts, according to new research. An ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury involves a tear in the ligament that stabilizes the knee and joins the upper and lower leg bones. An ACL injury requires surgery to correct and can be caused by a variety of activities (typically when the knee is twisted, bent backwards, or bent in an unnatural way).

How To Avoid Tennis Elbow

As summer heats up, tennis season is bringing more people to the court. While tennis is a great sport and can be a lot of fun, there are certain tennis-related injuries that are common among athletes. Learning about common injuries and conditions that happen during tennis can help you understand how to prevent them and how to treat them if you begin to experience symptoms.

Tips To Stay Active With Age

Staying Active Improves Health

As you age, you may be tempted to temper your exercise habits due to fear of injury or diminished energy levels. However, research has shown that staying active throughout your life can actually help to prevent strokes, improve life expectancy, reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s, and may even alter DNA to ensure that the body is performing optimally.

Stay Active With These Tips

In order to lead a long, healthy life, incorporate exercise and a healthy diet into your daily routine. The following tips will help you stay healthy and active for life!

Exercise Strengthens Kids Bones

Kids’ Exercise May Protect from Bone Breaks Later in Life

New research from the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine suggests children that participate in regular exercise have been shown to develop stronger bones and are less likely to fracture their bones later in life. In addition to promoting a healthy sense of team spirit and competition, physical activity is also important to help children maintain optimal health and reduce their risk of broken bones.

The Skane University Study

The six year study conducted at Skane University Hospital in Malmo, Sweden revealed that children who participated in at least 40 minutes of physical activity each day before, during, or after school were half as likely to report a broken bone than children who got just 60 minutes of exercise per week. The study was conducted on 446 boys and 362 girls, and the findings suggested a link between regular daily exercise, higher bone density, and reduced risk of fractures.

Shoulder Exercises For Flexibility

Great Shoulder Exercises for Improved Flexibility and Range of Motion

An exercise program that incorporates targeted strength training exercises is ideal for people of all ages. Staying active helps people to maintain optimal body weight and is especially important to help prevent injuries and diseases and to improve overall wellbeing. Shoulder injuries are very common and can be prevented when practicing safe exercise routines and correct techniques. You can also minimize the risk of injury by selecting appropriate weights that are not too heavy when exercising the shoulders.

The following list of exercises can be incorporated safely into your exercise routine to strengthen your muscles and improve flexibility.

Bowed Legs in Children

It is very common for toddlers to exhibit signs of bowed legs when they are very young. Children with bowed legs will usually have a distinct gap between the knees and the lower legs when they stand with their feet together. Bowed legs can affect one or both legs, and parents or the child’s pediatrician may notice that the legs are beginning to curve outward within the first few years of life.

Diagnosing and Treating Concussions

New Research in Concussions Leads to Revised Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment

In March, the American Academy of Neurology updated its guidelines for managing concussions. The new guidelines now emphasize treating each concussion and each patient on a case-by-case basis. This is a departure from the idea of operating under a pre-defined scale to assess the severity of the concussion. The traditional technique which uses a grading scale to determine the intensity and severity of the concussion has been replaced with guidelines that favor removing athletes from play until they can be properly evaluated by a healthcare professional.