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Springtime Story Ideas:
Orthopaedic Surgeons Help Prevent Injuries when that Cabin Fever Breaks!
When Springtime rolls around -- people get moving again! From spring cleaning to spring training, members of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) can help your magazine readers avoid an injury and make the most of this optimistic season. AAOS spokespeople are available to add depth to any of the Springtime stories below.
Spring Cleaning
In 2008, more than 40,000 Americans injured themselves gardening and more than 38,000 people injured themselves using a stepladder. So, when it’s time to clean up the house, yard or garage, keep these safety tips in mind:
- When gardening, avoid prolonged repetitive motions during activities such as digging, planting trimming and pruning and take frequent breaks.
- Use a step stool instead of a counter or furniture – such as a chair or the couch -- when dusting hard to reach areas.
- When on a stepstool, your bellybutton should not go beyond the sides of the ladder, as overreaching is a primary cause of ladder falls.
“When the “to do list” is long, people often rush through chores and don’t take the time to get out the correct equipment, to take breaks and rest muscles, or to read directions and plan out their tasks. Many overuse injuries – including tendonitis, sprains, strains or breaks -- can be prevented if proper ergonomic technique is observed and overuse of one or a few muscle groups is avoided,” said Fraser J. Leversedge, MD an orthopaedic surgeon and assistant professor in the Department of Surgery/ Division of Orthopaedic Surgery at Duke University.
More tips on safe spring cleaning.
Whether moving into a new home or packing up the semester at the dorm, the physical intensity of moving can be extreme. Packing boxes, moving heavy furniture, emptying overhead cabinets -- all of these activities come with some risk for injury, especially to our backs! Back pain is the second most common reason for Americans to see their doctors.
Avoid the following to keep on moving when you move:
It is important to separate your feet, shoulder-width apart and bend at the knees while tightening the stomach muscles.
- Try and get help; ask a friend to help out or leave the job to the professionals who are trained to lift properly.
- Do not move a very large or awkwardly shaped item yourself – even if you think it is light enough -- because you could limit your visual scope or strain your neck or back trying to balance it.
- Use several smaller boxes for heavier items and don’t stack boxes above shoulder level when carrying.
- Remove all obstacles – especially smaller throw rugs -- from the walkways and stairways and keep the floor and stairs dry to avoid slipping.
“Most of us have heard ‘lift with your legs not your back’ but sometimes people don’t know what that means. When lifting, keep your chest facing the object at all times, use your thigh muscles to boost you up and forward. Keep the object close to your body; the farther away the object, the more load it exerts on your spine. And, if you struggle to get the item off the ground or yourself to a standing position – it’s very important at that moment to ask for help instead of overdoing it solo.” Arya Nick Shamie, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and Associate Clinical Professor at the UCLA Medical Center’s Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.
In 2008, more than 105,000 American were treated for injuries sustained while golfing. Golfers most often suffer from hand tenderness or numbness; shoulder, back and knee pain; golfer’s elbow; and wrist injuries, such as tendonitis or carpal tunnel syndrome. Keep you game on par this season and stay injury-free:
- Dress for comfort and make sure to wear the appropriate golf shoes: ones with short cleats are best on the course.
- Do not hunch your neck or shoulders over the ball too much; it may predispose you to neck strain and rotator cuff tendinitis.
- To avoid golfer’s elbow –caused by a strain of the muscles in the inside of the forearm –perform wrist and forearm stretching exercises and try not to overemphasize your wrists when swinging.
"Golfers – especially beginners, who haven’t learned proper techniques yet – are more susceptible to injuries from overuse and poor mechanics. It’s important for golfers to regularly participate in a muscle conditioning program to reduce the risk of common golf injuries," said Alexander Raskin, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and spokesperson for the AAOS.
Springtime is the official start of the little league season that so many young kids anticipate. Hitting, catching, pitching and base running are part of what makes this one of America’s greatest pastimes. According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2008, nearly 200,000 children aged 14 and younger, were treated in hospitals, doctor’s offices and emergency rooms for baseball-related injuries. To prevent injuries, the AAOS recommends the following:
- Always take time to warm up and stretch before and after play. Research studies have shown that cold muscles are more prone to injury.
- If a child is pitching, he should concentrate on stretching his arm, shoulder and back muscles.
- If a child is catching, the focus should be on the legs and back.
- Children should not be encouraged to play through pain. It is important that they take breaks.
- Limit the number of teams your child is playing on in one season. Kids who play on more than one team are especially at risk for overuse injuries.
“Kids are playing baseball 12 months out of the year and this can be why we are seeing an increase in the number of injuries,” stated Marc Rankin, MD, orthopaedic surgeon specializing in sports medicine and spokesperson for the AAOS. “While many factors can contribute to injuries, it’s imperative that players and coaches follow appropriate safety guidelines and all players wear the correct protective gear.”
More baseball injury prevention tips
A green, well-manicured lawn is what most homeowners hope for come spring. Many say mowing the lawn enhances the appearance of a home. Yet, this routine chore, in 2008, caused more than 229,000 injuries in doctor’s offices, hospitals and emergency rooms.
Most injuries – such as severed fingers and toes, limb amputations, broken bones, burns and eye injuries – are caused by careless use and can be prevented by following a few simple safety tips:
- Children should be at least 12-years-old before they operate any lawn mower, and at least 16- years-old for a ride-on mower.
Children should never be passengers on ride-on mowers.
- Always wear sturdy shoes while mowing – not sandals.
- Pick up stones, toys and debris from the lawn to prevent injuries from flying objects.
- Use a mower with a control that stops it from moving forward if the handle is released.
- Blade settings should be set by an adult only.
- Wait for blades to stop completely before removing the grass catcher, unclogging the discharge chute, or crossing gravel roads. (As a safety feature, some newer models have a blade/brake clutch that stops the blade each time the operator releases the handle.)
“Lawnmowers can pose several dangers and risks those who operate them,” said William Obremskey, MD, orthopaedic surgeon and spokesperson for AAOS. “Lawnmowers are not toys and operators must exercise caution when using this machinery, including teaching children to stay clear of running lawnmowers.” Dr. Obremskey adds, “always turn the mower off if it becomes clogged and NEVER use your hand or foot to unclog a mower!”
To interview an AAOS spokesperson on any of these timely topics, please email media@aaos.org.
Be sure to watch out for our Summer Story Ideas Package, which will include running, baby boomer outdoor exercise and biking tips.
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