AN EXERCISE IN ORTHOPEDICS: Dr. Raj Discusses the Angel Out for the Season

Mark Trumbo is known for playing an infielder position for a Major League Baseball team-- the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  He plays right infield and first baseman. 


At only 25 years old, he is a leading contender for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

For about a month and a half, Mark had been playing several games with pain in his right foot. On Monday, September 26^th, 2011, after several tests- including MRIs, CT scan, and x-rays, the team orthopedist discovered a stress fracture at the top of his right foot in the navicular bone. 


No surgery is indicated for Mark but he will need to rest his foot for the rest of the season. He will be placed in a walking boot with no vigorous activity for at least 6 weeks.


The Breakdown
A stress fracture is one of the most common causes of foot pain. A metatarsal stress fracture is also called a “March fracture” because pain increases with activity specifically seen in solider recruits. In several interviews, Mark stated he felt throbbing pain across his right foot and felt his activity was limited.

These types of fractures need time to heal properly to avoid surgical intervention. An x-ray would have shown a hairline crack in one of the metatarsals (foot bones)-in this case the navicular bone.

Treatment includes rest for 6-8 weeks usually in a stiff orthopedic boot. Mark will be ready to return for next season as a full–time first baseman!

AN EXERCISE IN ORTHOPEDICS: Moto-X Star Travis Pastrana Out Until 2012

Motocross champion and stunt performer Travis Pastrana continues to return to the X-games to compete for more gold metals. Travis was invited to drive a car in the NASCAR nationwide series, but will need to postpone his appearance until next year, due to his injury during a stunt at this summer’s X-games in Los Angeles.            
On Thursday, July 28^th at the X-games 17 Best Trick Event, Travis was attempting to perform his signature stunt called “the toilet paper roll.” This trick involves Travis propelling from a steep ramp while back flipping on his motorcycle during an off-axis spin with a 720-degree rotation.

Unfortunately, Travis landed on his leg while the motorcycle fell on top. He was taken off on a stretcher to the sidelines and sent for X-rays.

The X-rays revealed fractures of both his right foot and ankle. Since the fractures required surgical repair, Travis was in the operating room a week later. The surgery was a success but will require Travis to sit out for the rest of the year. He is to follow a strict healing process without putting weight on his right leg for one month.
           
The Breakdown

Travis suffers from the most common type of motocross injury, which include the legs and ankle.  The ankle consists of 3 bones- tibia (shin bone), fibula (small bone on the outside of the ankle) and the talus (heel). Travis would have felt immediate and severe pain along with swelling, bruising, and instability.

Getting Back on the Track

Depending upon where the fracture was in each bone determines the treatment. Surgical repair is used to make the ankle stable. Using a plate and screws on the side of the bone or a screw or rod inside the bone, which may be used to re-align the bone fragments and keep them together as they heal, stabilizes the bone.

The bones will take at least 6 weeks to heal properly. Physical therapy and home exercises will speed the recovery process and get Travis back in shape for next year!

New Feature in DIME Magazine: Yao Ming Q&A with Dr. RAJ

In my latest media coverage, Dime Magazine sat me down for a Q&A, talking about Yao Ming's foot and ankle injuries that never quite healed.

The article also discusses common orthopedic problems of larger athletes - and how today's fast-growing, athletic youth can prevent this type of sports quandary in the long run.

Read the full article here...

AN EXERCISE IN ORTHOPEDICS: A-Rod Suffers Knee Injury

New York Yankees slugger and 3^rd baseman, Alex Rodriguez is considered one of the best all-around baseball players of all time. Having hit over 600 home runs, he remains the all-time MLB leader.

In a game against the Chicago Cubs on June 19^th, 2011 A-rod injured his right knee. He was sent for x-rays, which showed a small tear in the meniscus. With the injury affecting his performance, he underwent surgery in July to repair the tear.

 

The knee is made up of two crescent shaped cartilage menisci. A meniscus tear is commonly seen in sports where the knee is twisting or over-flexed. This cartilage is essential to providing shock absorption and even weight distribution over the joint. 

Some common symptoms A-rod would have felt include severe pain, swelling, clicking or popping, and catching or locking of the knee. Treatment depends on the extent of the tear. Small tears can be treated conservatively and with time, will heal on their own. In A-rod’s case, the tear was large enough to be repaired surgically.  

With the help of a scope, the tear can be easily trimmed back down to normal.  In just 4 to 6 weeks, A-rod should be back making big plays and hitting homers!

NEW Q&A FEATURE IN DIME MAGAZINE: Gilbert Arenas

Recently, Dime Magazine interviewed me and allowed me to give a thorough analysis of Kobe Bryant's mysterious injury.  And today, they contacted me for thorough insight on the series of knee injuries faced by Orlando's NBA Magician - Gilbert Arenas.

The Q&A features discusses not only the struggles of Arenas and other NBA superstars, but also gives an in-depth look at common sports injuries, the most cutting-edge surgery techniques (no pun intended), and the methods of preventing some of these long-term egregious pains.

To read the full article, click here...

AN EXERCISE IN ORTHOPEDICS: Bon Jovi Injures Knee during Concert

Well known for being the lead singer of the popular rock band with his last name as its brand, Jon Bon Jovi has sold over 130 million records worldwide and continues to play sold-out shows around the world. 

While performing a summer concert in Finland, the singer's knee gave out and he felt something tear. It had been pouring rain outside, yet he continued the show with his knee in severe pain.

His MRI showed a torn medical collateral ligament  (MCL) and was operated on July 1^st in Dublin, Ireland. Luckily, he had the week off, and now hopes to continue his tour with a stop in Istanbul, Turkey eight days following his injury.

The MCL is one of the 4 main ligaments connecting the knee bones, and runs along the inner part of the knee preventing it from bending inward. It is usually injured when the outside of the knee is struck, causing the knee to buckle. When stretched too far, the fibrous ligament begins to tear. The most common symptom is severe pain and generalized joint swelling the following day. 

Most often, these tears are small enough (grade 1 or 2) to be treated conservatively with physical therapy and a knee brace for stability. In some cases, the tear is severe enough (grade 3) to require surgical repair. Jon should heal well and be back to his normal superstar self! 

AN EXERCISE IN ORTHOPEDICS: Galaxy Goalkeeper Fractures Ulna

In 2008, Donovan Ricketts joined the Los Angeles Galaxy from Jamaica, and today is the reigning goalkeeper of the MLS.

During a game on June 27^th, Ricketts suffered an arm injury early in the scoreless tie against the San Jose Earthquakes. He collided with one of his opponents and was taken out of the game.

He was sent for x-rays, which showed a fractured left ulna. The next day he underwent surgery, and isexpected to recover in 4-6 weeks.

            

The ulna makes up one of the two bones on the left side of the forearm. The most common cause of an ulna fracture is from the forearm being struck by an object, in Donovan’s case –another player. A fracture of the ulna shaft is called a nightstick fracture. 

Donovan most likely complained of pain, swelling, and possible abrasions with the trauma. If there is a significant amount of displacement, then the fracture is considered unstable.

Surgical intervention (open reduction and internal fixation) is required to stabilize the bones with a plate and screws. A period of immobilization will be needed to allow the bones to heal in place.

Donovan should be back to defending goals in 3 months!

AN EXERCISE IN ORTHOPEDICS:Andrew Bynum Knee Injury

A player of the one of the NBA's most loved franchises, Center Andrew Bynum was drafted by the Los Angeles Lakers in 2005 - at 17 years old. And despite various injuries to his knees, his career continues to soar. 


In the second quarter of a Lakers’ game in April against the San Antonio Spurs, Andrew fell after stepping on Spurs’ DeJuan Blair’s foot.  He was then sidelined with a knee injury,  

Bynum ended up hyper-extending his knee and had to leave the game. His coach, Phil Jackson, recommended that he might need to be out for the next few games since this was not his first knee injury. 

Exercise is on the Rise. And with it comes Injury.

The health benefits of physical exercise are plentiful. In recent years, people of all ages have become increasingly aware of this fact. 

But some people, particularly those who overdo or who don’t properly train or warm up — these benefits can come at a price: sports injuries.

Fortunately, most sports injuries can be treated effectively. And most people can return to a satisfying level of physical activity after an injury. 

Even better, many injuries can be prevented if people take the proper precautions...