Monday Morning Quarterback: Sports Medicine

It's the part of sports that athletes and coaches don't usually discuss, injuries. The fact remains it's a part of sports and it's up to athletic trainers and physical therapists to be up to date on the latest sports medicine to provide the best care. Dan Dichiera, Director of Sports Medicine at Adirondack Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy says,"Our target audience was also to include school nurses, coaches etc, etc. so that we can provide the local medical community with up to date and current trends as it relates to sports medicine whether it's concussion or shoulder repair or just evaluation diagnostic tools."

            Joanne Maly is the owner of a physical therapy practice in Central New York and she believes continuing education is vital. She says, "As an owner of a physical therapy practice we try to maintain that our staff stays on top of topics and information that is relevant to our patients and to the parents of our patients so that we can educate them."

The hot topic in sports medicine appears to be concussions and it's important for athletes and coaches to be aware and educated when it comes to treating them. Dr. Brian Riegar says,"The cornerstone of proper concussion management is recognize it when it occurs, remove that person from risky activities or things that would complicate recovery, follow them and manage them properly and get them back only when they're safe."

Doctor Rieger says that awareness today is better than it's ever been and concussions may not be as terrible as we once thought. "If we manage it properly it's almost always a minor injury with no long term consequences. So that's really the message, we do want to be concerned about it but we don't need to be terrified of."

Doctors say that recognition and management are the most important aspects to treating concussions. The symposium was put on by St. Elizabeth Medical Center, Adirondack Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy, and Genesee Orthopedic and Hand Surgery Associates.