Recently, a patient, Pat McKenna, editor of The Times-Tribune, came to my office with a partial tear and strain to one of his hamstring muscles. He stated that he has always had hamstring tightness and has walked backward as a warm-up exercise to prevent injury. I found the concept of backward walking, (also called retrowalking) […]
Guest Columnist: Janet Caputo, PT, DPT, OCS The sport of fast-pitch softball has become one of the most popular sports for female athletes in the United States. Female pitchers might not use a hard ball, but their injuries are just as significant as their male counterparts. Their shoulders endure the same torture and torment of […]
Allergies affect 30 % of adults and 40% of children in the United States. Last week we discussed the definition, incidence, causes and treatment for allergy sufferers. However, many of those who suffer from allergies are those engaging in athletics. Avoiding the outdoors is often not an option. Not long ago, it was unthinkable that […]
This spring and summer, make time to enjoy the beautiful outdoors in Northeast PA. But, for many, there is a price to pay for such pleasure…allergies! People often wonder whether or not the symptoms of sneezing, runny nose, and cough are due to illnesses such a cold, flu, sinus infection or allergies. The main distinguishing […]
Part 2 of 2 Last week, Chris Cali, Scranton Prep graduate and junior biology major at Villanova University, shared his experiences living in a sustainable environment this summer while studying in Costa Rica at the Center for Sustainable Development Studies. In recognition of “Earth Day,” I have asked Chris to offer tips for sustainable living […]
Part 1 of 2 Guest Columnist: Chris Cali In 2006 my family and I traveled to Costa Rica with our travel mates, the Cali family, for what would become an unforgettable experience for all. In fact, last summer one member of the group, Chris Cali, a junior biology major at Villanova University, had the opportunity […]
Part 4 of 4 Guest columnist: Janet Caputo, PT, DPT, OCS The past three columns have demonstrated the lengthy rehabilitation process following an ACL reconstruction. The first four weeks after surgery can be a little uncomfortable and repetitive. The program focuses on controlling pain and swelling, increasing tolerance for weight bearing, restoring knee motion, and […]
Part 3 of 4 Guest Columnist: Janet Caputo, PT, DPT, OCS Even though your surgeon probably reconstructed your ACL in about 2 to 2 ½ hours, your rehabilitation phase will require a much longer period of time. Typically, regaining the motion, strength, and function of your knee following ACL reconstruction requires more than three months. […]
Guest Columnist: Janet Caputo, PT, DPT, OCS Part 2 of 4 If your orthopaedic surgeon suspects an ACL tear, he/she will order an MRI (i.e. magnetic resonance imaging) to confirm his diagnosis. The MRI results may also reveal damage to other critical structures in your knee such as the medial or lateral collateral ligaments on […]
Part 1 of 4 What do Matthew Knowles, Danielle Dalessandro and Matthew Langan have in common? These local basketball stars had their season cut short due to devastating knee injuries: torn anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL). However, while they may have ended their seasons, they did NOT end their careers! Knowles and Langan tore their ACL’s […]
