Common Baseball Injuries

Did you know that baseball is known as America’s National Pastime? Baseball is a popular sport to play and to sit and watch a game on tv. It’s questionable how often they get injured when watching these athletes play day in and day out. It is easy to get hurt in baseball; If that happens, you must seek medical attention. If you require Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach, Dr. David Altchek, MD, can give you the treatment you need. Dr. Altchek is a talented orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon. He has years of experience in medical services.

Common Injuries in Baseball

Shoulder and elbow injuries– In baseball, throwing is one of the main components of the game. When constantly implementing the motion of throwing, it impacts the elbow. A pitcher’s shoulder can be affected by the overuse of ligaments, the growth plate, the skeleton, and tendons. In teenagers, this can affect them deeper as it can impact the development of the shoulder.

• Knee Injuries– For catchers, they have to stay squatting on their knees for their position. They also have to move from side to side to catch the ball. The overuse of this stance can cause an injury to the knees.
• Achilles Tendons Injuries– Baseball is a high-stress activity. Players forcefully push off their feet to run and make sudden movements. The Achilles Tendon can be affected by these activities.
• Concussions– A player can easily get hit in the head with a ball or bat during a game. They can also induce a Concussion by diving headfirst back into a base if not done correctly.
• Heat Injuries– The baseball season runs from the spring through the summer. During the hotter days, baseball players can risk heat stroke, dehydration, or cramping.

Ways to Prevent Injuries

Baseball injuries can be serious, but they can also be prevented before they happen. There are several things to make sure to do when preparing to play baseball:

• Warm-up You must do warm-ups to get your body moving to loosen up your muscles and joints. 
• Stretch– Stretching will help increase your flexibility.
• Wear all equipment– Make sure to wear all equipment and that it fits correctly.
• Wear Protection– Make sure to wear batting helmets and face masks. For pitchers, it’s very important to have their heart protectors on as well.
• Pitchers need rest– Pitchers need to be subbed in and out every few innings to ensure no overuse of the elbow or shoulder. 
• Have the right gloves– It’s crucial to have the right size glove to catch the ball correctly. Also, remember to wear batting gloves to prevent blisters on the hands while up at bat.
• Have the correct shoes– Make sure to have the accurate fitting cleats that will sustain you throughout playing. It’s important to have metal cleats that will grip the ground sternly.
• Inspect the field– Inspect the field for holes or hazardous debris that can impact the players. It’s also significant to broom the field before games or practices.
• Fuel your body– Drink plenty of water (about 8 ounces) before, during, and after working out. Make sure to eat enough food to give the right energy to maintain exercising.

Why Should You Choose Dr. Altchek?

Baseball is a great sport that can teach valuable lessons along with getting physical activity. Sometimes we may play too hard and get hurt. It’s important to know what doctor is best for this situation. Dr. Altchek is a second-generation orthopedic physician and Co-Chief Emeritus at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is one of the lead consultants to the NBA and is a top doctor for many baseball professionals. If you are looking for a Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach, Dr. David Altchek, MD, specializes in several services to aid patients:

• Arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.
• UCL Reconstruction- Docking Procedure
• ACL Reconstruction
• Total Shoulder Replacement
• Total Knee Replacement
• Shoulder instability treatment

Dr. Altchek An Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

Over 65 Million individuals around the world play baseball. Players should ensure that they are playing correctly and wearing the correct protection to keep them safe from injuries. These injuries can be small and treatable, while others are far more serious and can affect you later in life. Dr. Altchek is one of the best-known doctors in New York. He will take time to evaluate your needs and make an adjustment for you to get you back on the field! Dr. Altchek is committed to providing top-notch care to anyone who needs his services. If you get injured while playing baseball and require an Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach, contact Dr. David Altchek, MD, and get the help you need!

Contact Dr. Altchek An Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

Most Common Sports-Related Orthopedic Injuries

If you’ve been involved in sports before, you’re probably familiar with sports injuries. When a sports injury occurs, it’s important to seek medical attention and assess the severity. When going for treatment, you’ll want an experienced doctor who can provide quality care. Dr. Altchek is one of the best orthopedics in New York City. Keep reading to learn more about common sports-related orthopedic injuries.

What Might Put Me At Risk For a Sports Injury?

A few factors may put you at risk of a sports injury. Those factors are:

• Not being regularly active
• Don’t warm up before exercising.
• Playing contact sports

Other Factors

There are some other factors that increase your risk for sports injuries. 

• Children- Children are at risk for sports injuries because of how active they are. Children also many times might not know when to listen to their bodies to stop. This leads to over-exertion and is more likely to result in injury. 
• Age- Age increases the odds of injuries taking longer to heal. If you’ve experienced injuries in the past, new injuries might aggravate old ones.
• Overuse- Listening to your body is very important. Injuries may start out small, but overuse can get worse. 
• Being overweight- Many issues come with being overweight, and sports injuries are one of them. Extra weight can strain your muscles and joints, such as your hips, knees, and ankles. 

What Are the Different Types of Sports Injuries?

In the world of sports, there are different types of injuries. 

• Sprains- A sprain occurs when the ligaments are overstretched or tear. 
• Strains- Strains happen when muscles or tendons are overstretched or torn.
• Knee injuries- A common sports injury; usually occurs when an injury affects how the knee joint moves.
• Fractures- Bone fracture or a broken bone.
• Dislocations- Occurs when a bone is dislocated out of its socket.
• Rotator cuff injury- A tear in any of the muscles located in the rotator cuff can cause injury to this area.
• Achilles tendon rupture- If your Achilles ruptures, you may experience pain or difficulty walking.
• Swollen muscles- swollen muscles may feel painful and weak.

If you’ve suffered one of these injuries, Dr. Altchek is a world-renowned orthopedic in New York City and can help get you back in the game in no time.

What Treatment is Available for a Sports-Related Injury?

There are both surgical and non-surgical treatments for sports-related injuries. Non-surgical treatment can be used for mild injuries, and those include:

• Rest
• Ice
• Elevation
• Compression
• Over-the-counter pain medication 

Serious sports injuries would require medical attention. Seek medical attention if you experience:

• A lot of swelling and pain
• Lumps, bumps, or other deformities 
• Sounds of popping or crunching when you try to use the joint
• Weakness
• Difficulty breathing
• Dizziness
• Fever

Serious sports injuries can be scary, but it’s vital to get them treated right away to avoid permanent or damaging injury. Dr. Altchek is a highly experienced doctor that has treated professional sports teams like the New York Mets and the NBA. As one of the best orthopedics in New York City, rest assured you’re in good hands.

Surgical Treatment: Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

If your doctor deems your injury serious, you may need to undergo surgical treatment to correct the injury. Dr. Altchek can perform various services depending on your injury, such as:

• Arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, and elbow
• UCL reconstruction
• Total shoulder replacement
• Total knee replacement
• ACL reconstruction
• Shoulder instability treatment

Sports Injury Prevention: Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

You don’t have to wait for an injury; you can work on prevention. Some tips for preventing injury are:

• Making sure to stretch
• Practicing proper technique 
• Having proper equipment and protection
• Listen to your body, and don’t try to work through the pain

Dr. Altchek: Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

If you’re searching for orthopedics in New York City, Dr. Altchek is a world renowned surgeon and is best known for his adjustment to the Tommy John technique. His credit trials proceed him, as he is one of the lead consultants for the NBA as well as working with the New York Mets. In addition, he is also the top doctor for many tennis athletes. Dr. Altchek is dedicated to providing quality care to each and every patient. If you are looking for orthopedics in New York City, look no further. Contact us to make an appointment today. 

Tips To Prevent Sports Injuries

How much of a sports fan would you say you are? Whether you love to play sports or watch them, millions of people consider themselves huge sports fans. Often, we forget how easy it is to injure ourselves while playing a sport. Even the athletes on tv constantly get hurt. If you were to hurt yourself playing, you would need medical attention. Anyone needs to know how to prevent injuries in sports. If you are looking for the Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach, Dr. David Altchek, MD, can give you the treatment you need. Dr. Altchek is a talented orthopedic and sports medicine surgeon. He has years of experience in medical services.

Why Do Athletes Get Injured?

Overuse is the biggest known reason for athletes getting injured. When exercising our body too much, we can suddenly increase our chances of pulling a muscle or getting a stress fracture. Along with inadequate flexibility, if one is not stretching correctly or preparing for an intense activity like sports, they can easily hurt themselves while performing. Even environmental changes can impact your chances of getting hurt. When the temperature is cold, your muscles will be tighter and harder to loosen up. It’s important to stretch and dress accordingly to avoid injury.

Tips to Prevent Injuries

You can get many different types of injuries while playing a sport. The most common include sprains, strains, and fractures. Ways to prevent injuries caused while playing a sport include:

• Use the Proper Technique– Make sure to know the correct way to move and control your body movements while playing a sport.
• Use the Right Equipment– Always be sure to have the correct fitting shoes, gear, and clothes to move freely while active. 
• Don’t Do Too Much– If you start to feel pain, don’t continue to push through it. If your body is tired, then listen to it.
• Cool Down Afterwards– Be sure to stretch and cool down to bring your body back to normal after the activity. 
• Slowly Resume– Be sure to ease back into your exercise, as too much rest can delay the healing process. 

Why Should You Choose Dr. Altchek: Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach?

Just as important as knowing how to work out right, it’s also important to know what doctor is best for your condition. Dr. Altchek is a second-generation orthopedic physician and Co-Chief Emeritus at the Hospital for Special Surgery. He is one of the lead consultants to the NBA and is a top doctor for many tennis professionals. If you are looking for the Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach, Dr. David Altchek, MD, specializes in several services to aid patients:

• Arthroscopy of the shoulder, knee, and elbow.
• UCL Reconstruction- Docking Procedure
• ACL Reconstruction
• Total Shoulder Replacement
• Total Knee Replacement
• Shoulder instability treatment

Accomplishments and Awards

Dr. Altchek graduated from New York’s Weill Cornell Medical College in 1982. In addition to being an excellent surgeon, he is also a professor of surgery in Clinical Orthopedics at Weill Cornell Medical College. Dr. Altchek has written several articles and book chapters on problems of the shoulder, elbow, and knee. Some of his awards include:

• Castle Connolly America’s Top Doctors (2002- 2020)
• Castle Connolly top doctors in New York Metro Area (2002- 2021)
• T. Campbell Thompson Award- Outstanding Achievement in Orthopedic Surgery
• John Jay Award for Distinguished Professional Achievement
• New York Magazine Top Doctors (2002- 2021)
• Charles S. Neer Award- American Shoulder & Elbow Surgeons
• Named one of the top 250 Alumni- at Columbia University

Schedule An Appointment with Dr. Altchek: Orthopedic Surgeon in West Palm Beach

Sports are a great way to exercise and learn how to work hard for a goal. However, everyone will likely get injured at least once in their lifetime playing a sport. Sometimes sports injuries can be simple and treatable, while others are more serious and need a more in-depth treatment. Dr. Altchek is one of the best-known doctors in the area. He will take time to evaluate your condition and make an adjustment for you to get you back to doing what you love! Dr. Altchek is committed to providing top-notch care to anyone who needs his services. If you have failed to prevent an injury while playing a sport and are looking for the best sports medicine doctor in NYC, contact Dr. David Altchek, MD, today and schedule an appointment!