http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/theSportsDoc/home Recent theSportsDoc Posts en-us As the Colts and Peyton Manning go their separate ways, I have much to reflect on the past and predict for the future.  As one of the doctors that has worked with him over the past several years, I can assure you that no one works harder on performance and preparation than Peyton.  I was happy to hear that his throwing motion and mechanics have improved significantly over the past few weeks which is a signal that the nerve is finally showing signs of healing and conducting the neurological impulses that control the muscles involved in the throwing motion.  Usually, if there are improvements as significant as this, a near full recovery can be expected which means whichever team has the good fortune of netting this Hall of Famer will be a contender immediately.  Peyton has property in Miami, and that team has a good core on offense and defense as well as an all pro receiver in Brandon Marshall and plenty of cap space.  This would be my bet for the team that the quarterback will settle.  The situation with Wed, 07 Mar 2012 16:44:53 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/new_chapter_for_peyton_manning/10255471 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/new_chapter_for_peyton_manning/10255471 New Chapter for Peyton Manning http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/new_chapter_for_peyton_manning/10255471 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Portland Trail Blazer center Greg Oden is out for the season again as a result of knee injury.  It is fairly obvious that Oden's congenital makeup other than his height did not set him up for professional sports and especially basketball, where the load on the knees is significant.  He has undergone a second microfracture surgery on the affected knee and has had a similar procedure done on the other one.  The nature of this surgery is essentially to create small fractures in the bone around the joint which causes the marrow in the bone to "bleed" in essence a stem cell version of the cartilage that provides the cushion and glue that holds the knee together.  This procedure is most often done in patients that require joint replacement as an alternative.  The healing time is similar to a hairline fracture which can be 3-4 months before significant improvements in the ability to bear weight and regain function return.  Thus Oden is out for the season again and with the repetitive nature o Tue, 21 Feb 2012 08:57:21 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/specifics_of_greg_odens_season_ending_third_microfracture_surgery/10032391 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/specifics_of_greg_odens_season_ending_third_microfracture_surgery/10032391 Specifics of Greg Oden's Season Ending Third Microfracture Surgery http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/specifics_of_greg_odens_season_ending_third_microfracture_surgery/10032391 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Initial reports coming from the doctors that took imaging evaluations of the Chicago Bulls and NBA MVP Derrick Rose's back came up with no significant structural findings in the spine.  This is good news from the standpoint that the discs and bone structure is healthy, which could lead to surgery or significant lost time on the court.  However, with the absence of these findings, it is likely that the problem is instability and/or dysfunction of the joints in the spine.  This would not show on MRI, and is the prime reason why a muscle will go into involuntary spasms.  These spasms feel like a cramp and often will bring the patient to their knees in pain and restriction.  The body attempts to stabilize the segment or joint that is unstable and uses muscle contraction to create stability or balance.  The pounding of landing jumps, banging other players bodies as well as twisting and turning can stimulate the reflex that causes these spasms.  The common remedy for this is stabilization exercises, some Tue, 14 Feb 2012 12:19:52 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/derrick_rose_is_likely_to_have_these_back_issues_for_awhile/9917575 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/derrick_rose_is_likely_to_have_these_back_issues_for_awhile/9917575 Derrick Rose is likely to have these back issues for awhile http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/derrick_rose_is_likely_to_have_these_back_issues_for_awhile/9917575 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png LA Clippers veteran guard Chauncey Billups suffered what appeared to be a serious left achilles tendon injury in their game last evening.  This type of injury can vary in severity and the nature of treatment and rehabilitation that goes with it.  Billups was reported to be absent from the locker room after the game which suggests that the injury required immediate attention.  Best case scenario is a low grade muscle strain to the muscle/tendon attachment of the calf muscles which means that there is minimal tearing and the injury is more of an aggravation to the soft tissue.  This would result is traditional treatment to target inflammation and stretching to restore function and may only result in a few lost days on the court.  Worst case scenario is a tear or rupture of the tendon, which would require surgical reattachment and significant rehabilitation.   This would likely sideline him for the remainder of the season and the likelihood of healing to his previous form at this stage of his career is un Tue, 07 Feb 2012 08:40:50 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/chauncey_billups_possible_outcomes_for_achilles_injury_include_retirement/9805075 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/chauncey_billups_possible_outcomes_for_achilles_injury_include_retirement/9805075 Chauncey Billups possible outcomes for achilles injury include retirement http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/chauncey_billups_possible_outcomes_for_achilles_injury_include_retirement/9805075 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The big story here in Indianapolis is the status of record setting tight end Rob Gronkowski and his high ankle sprain. The big tight end has been a favorite target of Tom Brady and set single season records for receiving touchdowns. The fact that he appeared at media day without a walking boot tells us nothing more than he is able to bear weight on the bad ankle. His ability to perform at a high level will be determined by his ability to accelerate, decelerate and cut using the joint that absorbs a significant amount of the body's weight and force. Realistically, 2 weeks in not enough time for even the slightest of sprains, but the feeling is that this was at minimum a moderate tear to the ligaments involved. Treatment options before game day include icing, massage, accupuncture, ARPwave therapy, stim, ultrasound and manipulation to accelerate the healing and promote stability and function. On game day, injections of Toradol to reduce pain and inflammation is likely and although not often used on we Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:28:38 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/possible_outcomes_for_rob_gronkowski_and_performance_on_bad_ankle/9709699 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/possible_outcomes_for_rob_gronkowski_and_performance_on_bad_ankle/9709699 Possible outcomes for Rob Gronkowski and performance on bad ankle http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/possible_outcomes_for_rob_gronkowski_and_performance_on_bad_ankle/9709699 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Rob Gronkowski suffered would have appeared to be a serious ankle injury in the New England Patriots win over the Ravens last weekend. Considering the Patriots history of vague injury disclosure, the speculation would be that this is a high ankle sprain. This injury would have allowed him to return as he did late in the game with support, although his production was limited to a blocking role. Reports are that he left the stadium in a walking boot which is fairly standard procedure for any foot or ankle injury to create stability and control inflammation, so don't read too much into those reports. As did Dwight Freeney in the Indianapolis Colts Super Bowl a few years back where a significant ankle injury occurred in the game before the championship, regular treatment and rehabilitation should allow him to participate in a fairly high level on Super Bowl Sunday in Indianapolis. The damage to the ligaments which provide the stability in the ankle are stretched and partially torn in this type of injury Tue, 24 Jan 2012 07:48:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/new_england_patriots_rob_gronkowski_ankle_injury/9549911 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/new_england_patriots_rob_gronkowski_ankle_injury/9549911 New England Patriots Rob Gronkowski Ankle Injury http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/new_england_patriots_rob_gronkowski_ankle_injury/9549911 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Fortunately, initial reports suggest that the injury bug will not be a significant factor in the 2 NFL Conference Championship games. Barring unreported or practice injury this week, the Baltimore Ravens Ed Reed is the key focus on the injury report. Reed was helped off the field by teammates after what appeared to be an ankle sprain. X-Rays were negative and he says that he expects to play against the Patriots. Ankle injuries limit speed and mobility based on the severity of the sprain. Assuming Reed is weight bearing and expecting to practice, we can assume this is a low grade sprain and I would anticipate him to play at the Pro Bowl caliber we are accustomed to. Aaron Hernandez, who saw time in the backfield for the Pats was reported to have suffered a head injury in the game with the Broncos, but also is expected to play. Assuming he has passed the unpredictable concussion tests, the only limitation here would be if he actually had concussed and takes another blow to the head. The 49ers Ted Ginn J Tue, 17 Jan 2012 09:19:03 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_conference_championship_injuries/9398507 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_conference_championship_injuries/9398507 NFL Conference Championship Injuries http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_conference_championship_injuries/9398507 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Following the tragic X-Games training accident of skier Sarah Burke, the progress is being held by the family following more medical procedures at the University of Utah. The nature of this injury in which upon an awkward landing, she tore the vertebral artery in her neck. This blood vessel is a key oxygen supply to the brain stem and runs through small channels in the cervical vertebrae of the top 6 bones of the neck. She was reported to have gone into immediate cardiac arrest and was treated by EMT's at the scene. Tearing of the vertebral artery can create 2 significant health issues, one being the obvious internal bleeding and pressure around sensitive nerve tissue of the brain stem and spinal cord and secondly the real potential loss of oxygen to the brain that resembles the effects of a stroke. This type of injury often results in either some form of paralysis, loss of motor skill, vision, breathing, speech loss and many other neurological conditions. The medical staff induced a coma in the tra Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:58:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/sarah_burke_tragic_accident/9381275 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/sarah_burke_tragic_accident/9381275 Sarah Burke Tragic Accident http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/sarah_burke_tragic_accident/9381275 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png After wildcard weekend, the bye teams got healthier and those teams that did move on did not see any key injuries to marque players. For the NY Giants, Aaron Ross has been cleared to practice after suffering a concussion in the Falcons game in a collision with his own player. This has been a very difficult protocol for diagnosis and in my own experience treating NFL players, the concussion testing appears to be very erratic in it's outcomes and reliability. It will be interesting to see how Ross responds to contact and how effective he will be in that game. His teammate DJ Ware has not been cleared for a similar injury and is questionable according to team reports. The ankle injury that has sidelined Ted Ginn Jr of the 49ers appears to be healed enough for him to give it a go this weekend. Ankle sprains certainly can take a hair off his quickness and ability to cut and avoid tackles which has been his main credential. I don't expect that he will be as effective as the 49ers would like. Eric De Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:48:44 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_divisional_weekend_injuries/9273224 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_divisional_weekend_injuries/9273224 NFL Divisional Weekend Injuries http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_divisional_weekend_injuries/9273224 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png On the week before the start of the NFL Playoffs, it appears that the Pittsburgh Steelers and Houston Texans will be affected by the injury bug more than any others.  With Rashard Mendenhall out for the season with an ACL injury and the certain surgical repair that will be required there, even more of the Steeler offense will depend on quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and his high ankle sprain.  In hindsight, with the Ravens hanging on to the number 2 seed, Big Ben would have been best suited to rest and rehabilitate the high ankle sprain that obviously has disturbed his throwing motion and movement in the pocket.  TJ Yates has stated that he will be ready for the playoffs already as the backup QB for the Texans with a separated non-throwing shoulder.  Pain should be the main restriction here, but he may be a little apprehensive to pressure from the Bengals front defensive line.  Both Arian Foster and Andre Johnson have been nursing nagging muscle injuries all season also which may affect performance sligh Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:16:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_playoff_injuries/9099451 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_playoff_injuries/9099451 NFL Playoff Injuries http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/nfl_playoff_injuries/9099451 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Sidney Crosby has had an indefinite loss of playing time related to multiple concussions and the face of the NHL is in doubt of returning to the game. The Pittsburgh Penguin star has recurring "concussion-like" symptoms that include headache among other symptoms. This on the heels of 21 NFL players filing suit against the NFL for serious health implications from concussions stemming from their playing days. Concussions differ from most other sports injuries in that they are neurological damage to brain tissue that coordinates and controls all body functions. A ligament or tendon will heal naturally with tissue regeneration, but intricate nerve tissue in the brain may take longer than a lifespan to return to normal. Testing done to diagnose concussions such as the ImPACT test are used to determine whether or not a player can return to the field or rink. I personally have witnessed athletes that have scored higher on these tests post concussion than on baseline testing and Crosby recently passed Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:55:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/crosby_and_sports_concussions/9003400 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/crosby_and_sports_concussions/9003400 Crosby and Sports Concussions http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/crosby_and_sports_concussions/9003400 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Adrian Peterson suffered a significant blow to his illustrious career this past weekend where he is reported to have torn his ACL and MCL of the knee.  He is scheduled to have surgical repair over the next week to repair the ligaments, but that is just the beginning.  The typical rehabilitation and recovery from such an injury is 8-12 months and is usually successful in restoring function and stability.  However, many athletes that suffer this injury never completely trust the knee and the subconscious protection can significantly affect performance along with the scar tissue and losses naturally associated with a severe ligament injury. In any position but running back, this usually leads to a successful comeback, but in a position where one tenth of a second loss in hitting the hole in a line is the difference between a pro bowl back and practice squad player, the effects can be exponential.  AP is in for a long process and I am certain he will put in the time and work necessary, the question becomes, w Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:47:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/petersons_knee_injury/8966236 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/petersons_knee_injury/8966236 Peterson's Knee Injury http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/petersons_knee_injury/8966236 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The discussion on Matt Forte and his willingness to return before the end of the season after spraining his medial collateral ligament should be a legitimate thought for the soon to be free agent star running back getting ready to sign a huge contract. The MCL that was sprained most often is not surgically repaired, but does offer the support to lateral cuts that create extra yards and also to the stability of the knee from tackles to the side of the knee. The MCL has soft tissue attachments with the medial meniscus which if torn can lead to significant pain, instability and swelling and often results in arthroscopic surgery. A brace would support the knee and likely prevent greater injury, but will certainly limit his agility and opportunity to cut. Until he and the trainers feel that the knee is stable and the ligament has healed, he is best suited on the bench to ensure that the talents and value to his team and himself contractually are rewarded next year. Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:21:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/matt_forte/8573932 http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/matt_forte/8573932 Matt Forte http://www.yardbarker.com/blog/thesportsdoc/article/matt_forte/8573932 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png