Oakville Sports Medicine Centre
250 Wyecroft Rd Unit 16 L6K 2G7 Oakville, ON, Canada

We wish to inform you that we will remain open during lockdown beginning Dec 26 we have been deemed an essential service. We will be closed Thursday Dec 24 re-opening Monday Dec 28 and closing at noon on Thursday December 31 reopening Monday January 4th. For the safety of our practitioners, staff, families, and clients we kindly ask that that you reschedule your appointment if you have any of the following symptoms: sore throat, cough, fever, difficulty breathing or short...ness of breath, headaches, or loss of taste or sense of smell. Just a reminder if you call to cancel or reschedule an appointment, we do require at least 3 business days notice. For more information about our facility, please visit our website at www.oakvillesportsmedicinecentre.ca. Thank you and happy holidays!!

If Oakville/Halton moves into Lockdown (Grey Zone), OSMC can remain open because of our affiliation/membership with the CKO (College of Kinesiologists of Ontario). OSMC will practice following the Grey Zone guidelines set by the Provincial Government, CKO and OAO (Ontario Association of Osteopathic Manual Practitioners). Thank you for your continued support, OSMC December 17, 2020

We would like to inform you that effective January 14, 2021 based on the emergency declaration stay at home order we are able to remain open. For the safety of our practitioners, staff, families, and clients we kindly ask that that you reschedule your appointment if you have any of the following symptoms: sore throat, cough, fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, headaches, loss of taste or sense of smell or if you or a family member has traveled out of the pro...vince in the past 14 days. Just a reminder if you call to cancel or reschedule an appointment, we do require at least 3 business days notice. Thank you and stay safe!

New CRA Ruling for Osteopathic Manual Practice: The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has recently ruled that Osteopathic Manual Practice services are now required to collect HST. As of October 1, 2020 Oakville Sports Medicine Centre will be charging HST to the services of Athletic Therapy and Osteopathic Manual Practice.

CONSENT TO TREATMENT: COVID-19 All practitioners and staff at Oakville Sports Medicine Centre are following the guidelines outlined by the Government of Ontario and Public Health. These include guidelines for:... Cleaning and proper sanitization before and after all appointments The use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Procedures to maintain social distancing and limiting the number of individuals allowed in the clinic at one time Minimizing items that are deemed non-essential Contactless payment options available Despite the best efforts of Oakville Sports Medicine Centre, due to the frequency of visits of other patients, and the characteristics of COVID-19 and treatments offered, you may be at an elevated risk of contacting the virus simply by being at the clinic. I hereby acknowledge that I have agreed to meet with Fred Corradini, Kieran Chu, Shannon Slacer (circle service provider name) at the clinic for Osteopathic Manual Practice, Athletic Therapy, Physiotherapy (circle the service that applies) and I am aware of the following: 1. There is a risk that I could be exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the virus responsible for COVID-19 while attending at the clinic to receive services. I accept and acknowledge that I could be exposed to COVID-19 through the following means: a. My physical presence at the clinic b. My interactions with other clients who are present at the clinic at the time of my attendance c. My interactions with the staff at the clinic; and d. The physical touching of any equipment and surfaces at the clinic 2. While receiving services, the Service Provider may need to be physically closer to me than the recommended social distancing guidelines to assess and/or treat me. I acknowledge that I have read and fully understand the risks as described above. By signing or typing my name below I consent, acknowledge and confirm that I am willing to accept these risks as a condition of attending Oakville Sports Medicine Centre.

COVID-19 PANDEMIC SCREENING FORM Client Name: D.O.B.: 1. Have you been instructed to self-isolate or self-quarantine?... Yes No 2. During self-isolation or self-quarantine, have you developed any cold or flu like symptoms? Yes No 3. Have you recently completed a 14 days self-isolation or self-quarantine period? Yes No 4. Have you seen a medical practitioner recently for any issues related to cold or flu? Yes No 5. Have you travelled outside of the country in the last 14 days? Yes No 6. Have you travelled outside of Ontario in the last 14 days? Yes No 7. Are you living with someone who has travelled outside of Ontario in the last 14 days? Yes No 8. Have you had contact or social interactions with someone who has travelled outside of the country in the last 14 days? Yes No 9. Have you been in contact with a person known to have COVID-19 or who is experiencing symptoms similar to a cold or flu? Yes No 10. Are you experiencing any of the following symptoms: sore throat, cough, fever, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, headaches, loss of taste, and/or loss of sense of smell? Yes No By signing or typing your name below, you agree that this form is completed accurately to the best of your knowledge.

OSMC will be re-opening on Monday June 22, 2020. Oakville Sports Medicine Centre Covid-19 Standards ... PLEASE READ BEFORE ENTERING The Chief Medical Officer of Ontario requires you to wear a mask upon entering our facility. If you do not have a mask, you can purchase a mask at our front desk. OSMC Client Capacity and Entering Facility Policies: The facility is limit to 5 clients at all times (presently). If the front door is locked, please return to your vehicle, and call the clinic (905) 337-8455 and inform us that you have arrived. A staff member will come and unlock the door for your appointment. If you are early for your appointment, please return to your car and wait until 5-7 mins. before your scheduled time. Only clients who have appointments (1 person) are to enter the facility. If the person requiring treatment is 15 yrs. old and younger or requires aid for a disability, then 1 person may accompany them for the appointment. All accompanying people, delivery and maintenance personal must sign in at the front desk upon entering OSMC. Please leave all personal belongings in your vehicle except a phone, purse or wallet. Absolutely no food or drink allowed in facility. Please check-in with the front desk staff and observe social distancing (2 metres or 6 feet). Once inside the facility follow the directional arrows to waiting area and treatment areas. If you do not have an appointment. Please DO NOT ENTER, and call to arrange a treatment appointment or to speak to a practitioner. ABSOLUTELY NO ADMITTENCE FOR SALES OR SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME!

Oakville Sports Medicine Centre Covid-19 Up-date Our top priority is the health and well-being of our clients, families, and staff. Under the Ontario Emergency Measures Act we will remain ordered closed until further notice. We are hoping to re-open June 22. Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, and Massage Therapy have different regulating bodies and are presently allowed to re-open. Osteopathic Manual Practice and Athletic Therapy do not fall under these guidelines set by the Ontari...Continue reading

Oakville Sports Medicine Centre Covid-19 Up-date Our top priority is the health and well-being of our clients, families, and staff. Under the Ontario Emergency Measures Act we will remain ordered closed until further notice. We are hoping to re-open June 16. Chiropractic, Physiotherapy, and Massage Therapy have different regulating bodies and are presently allowed to re-open. Osteopathic Manual Practice and Athletic Therapy do not fall under these guidelines set by the Onta...Continue reading

Our top priority is the health and well-being of our clients, families and staff. As a precaution in response to Covid-19, we will be closed until June 2. We will be monitoring the situation closely and will update our message as it relates to changes in our hours and possible future closure time. Please call 905-337-8455 and leave a message with your name and phone number and we will return your call as soon as possible. Messages will be monitored daily.... Thank you for your patience.

With growing concerns around COVID-19 (coronavirus), the health, safety and well-being of our clients is OSMC’s top priority. To protect yourself and others, we ask that anyone who is feeling any symptoms that could be related to the COVID-19 virus, please call and cancel your appointment. Know that we are doing our part by implementing extra cleaning protocol and wiping down all surfaces, beds and equipment with every use. We are taking all appropriate measures to ensure t...hat the clinic continues to be a safe and comfortable environment for all clients. Thank you

A message to our clients:

Overuse Serves Up Tennis Shoulder Injuries By Michael Khazzam, MD Tennis is a very popular sport around the world with many levels of skill from amateur/recreational to professional.Although tennis provides an excellent outlet for aerobic exercise, the activities associated with its participation come with some injury risks. Given tennis is an overhead sport, the shoulder is at risk for both overuse injuries as well as acute traumatic injuries. The most common shoulder injuri...Continue reading

PART 3: Face Masks: Face masks are most effective in preventing transmission when worn by people who are unwell. If you are well, masks only need to be worn by those who have close contact with those who are unwell (i.e., recommended for health care workers). Correct fitting of face masks is most important to their effectiveness. A good resource is the Australian New South Wales Health web site (How to Fit a Face Mask)....Continue reading

PART 2: Prevention Recommendations for protecting yourself and preventing spread of this illness include frequent hand washing and covering both your nose and mouth when coughing. Try to cough or sneeze into your arm, away from others, or into tissue paper (to be disposed in toilet). Wash your hands immediately afterwards. You should avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness....Continue reading

Below is the forwarded Advisory on COVID-19 from the Sport Institute Network (in 3 parts) Part 1 Advisory on COVID-19 March 2, 2020...Continue reading

Don't Ignore Your Pain Symptoms - It Could be a Stress Fracture by Lee Diehl, MD Pain is the body’s way of trying to tell us something. It’s a protective sign. Bone and the coverings on the outside of bone have lots of nerve endings capable of signaling problems. Like other tissues in our bodies, bone is constantly undergoing a re-model. It responds to physical stress by reinforcing its’ underlying structure allowing it to withstand the stress. This describes a well-recognize...Continue reading

The clinic will be closing early at 12 PM today and will resume regular business hours on Monday March 2, 2020 8AM-5PM. Have a great weekend!

"Pain is the body’s way of trying to tell us something. It’s a protective sign. Bone and the coverings on the outside of bone have lots of nerve endings capable of signaling problems. Like other tissues in our bodies, bone is constantly undergoing a re-model. It responds to physical stress by reinforcing its’ underlying structure allowing it to withstand the stress. This describes a well-recognized principle called ‘Wolff’s Law of Bone’. This bony ‘re-enforcement’ like most ...construction projects, doesn’t happen overnight. The key is that the bone has to be given time to respond and reinforce its structure. If the stress is applied faster than the bone can adapt to, the structure will fail (break) or fracture. Failure can happen suddenly, like falling off your bike and breaking your wrist, or it can be a slower process occurring over days or weeks leading to a ‘stress reaction’ or stress fracture of bone..." Tune in next week on our page to read the full article

Tips for Better Sleep and Recovery by C. David Geier, Jr., MD If you want to improve your athletic performance, proper rest and recovery are critical. In some ways, they are even more important that your training. Getting better sleep is an important component of rest and recovery. Entire books have been written on sleep and how to improve your sleep. There are some easy steps you can take to improve sleep without buying a new mattress or sleeping until noon. Many of these st...eps will just make the time you are actually trying to sleep more productive. Stop using your phone and other screen devices within 90 minutes of going to bed Phones, tablets, computers and televisions emit a blue light that negatively affects your brain. That blue light might not be a problem during the day. At night, though, it can make it hard to fall asleep. Turn off all technology at least an hour, or better yet, 90 minutes, before you go to bed. Read a book. Spend time with your kids. Write in your journal. Just don’t stare at an electronic device. Remove electronics from your bedroom For some of the same reasons as mentioned in the previous step, technology is not your friend when it comes to sleep. Don’t put a TV on the wall of your bedroom and watch TV as you get in bed. Don’t read eBooks on your tablet, and don’t check emails or texts on your phone. Plus, find anything that has an indicator light and either remove that object or cover the light with tape. Make your room as dark as possible. Don't exercise within 3 hours of going to sleep Lots of people like to exercise in the early evening, so this may be hard. Sleep experts think that heavy exercise can raise your body temperature and get your hormone levels going in a way that could make it hard to fall asleep. Try to exercise in the morning or afternoon or give yourself about three hours after your workout before you lay down to sleep. Don't eat a heavy meal within 3 hours of going to sleep In much the same way as exercise at night, eating a very heavy meal could disrupt your sleep. A small snack might be ok, but don’t eat a big meal right before you go to bed. Have a constant wake time every morning, even on weekends Pick the time that’s best for you to wake up and not feel rushed each morning. Wake up at that time every day. This rule does include weekends. Your body will get used to that time, and you will wake more rested. If you set it for one time during the week but then sleep several hours later on the weekends, you destroy that natural wake pattern.

We will be closed on Monday February 17th, 2020 for Family Day. All of us would like to wish you a safe and enjoyable Family Day!We will be closed on Monday February 17th, 2020 for Family Day. All of us would like to wish you a safe and enjoyable Family Day!

Blood Flow Restriction Therapy: A New Approach for Knee Rehabilitation by Seth L. Sherman, MD and Lindsey Colbert, DPT Blood flow restriction (BFR) therapy is an emerging treatment for the rehabilitation of orthopedic or trauma-related conditions. It is designed to limit oxygen to the limb, which causes a chemical reaction in the muscle signaling it to make more protein which may result in substantial muscle growth. ...Continue reading

Winter Paralympic Athletes Challenged with Injuries Too by Grant Jones, MD The first Winter Paralympic Games took place in Sweden in 1976, and 53 athletes participated in two sports. The Games have grown exponentially since then with more than 670 athletes participating in 80 events across six sports in the most recent PyeongChang Paralympics in 2018. This growth can be attributed to several factors, including the continued development of Paralympic sports in general, advance...Continue reading

Our monthly newsletter articles and references are available on our wix blog as well as on this page. Be sure to stay tuned!Our monthly newsletter articles and references are available on our wix blog as well as on this page. Be sure to stay tuned!

Let us help you start 2020 off right...we are now back to regular business hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8am-5pm Tues & Thurs 8-am-7pmLet us help you start 2020 off right...we are now back to regular business hours: Mon, Wed, Fri 8am-5pm Tues & Thurs 8-am-7pm

And we are back! We hope that everyone had a great time over the holidays! We are back in the office today and tomorrow (Dec 31) from 8-5pm. We are closed Wednesday January 1, 2020 for New Years Day and will be back to regular business hours on Thursday Jan 2, 2020 from 8-7pm.... Happy New Year from all of us at OSMC

Just a reminder that we are closed Tuesday December 24, 2019 through to Friday December 27th and will be back Monday December 30th from 8-5pm. Any messages that are left at the clinic will not be answered until we return. Merry Christmas from all of us at OSMC!

The holiday season is in full swing, be sure to check our holiday hours and make sure you are able to make your scheduled appointment time. We still require 36 business hours notice for cancellations or rescheduling of appointments. Messages will not be picked up while the clinic is closed. Please make sure you give yourself enough time to cancel or reschedule. Thank you!

No Need for Shoulder Separation Anxiety BY AMAN DHAWAN, MD Injuries referred to as shoulder separations are a common injury in athletics.1 These injuries are not of the ball and cup itself (glenohumeral joint), but rather the small joint just above where the collarbone meets the shoulder. This injury occurs typically when an athlete falls directly onto his or her shoulder or is hit directly on the outside of the shoulder. Shoulder separations are frequently seen in contac...t sports like hockey, football, and soccer, but can occur in any sport or activity.1,2 Shoulder separations represent almost half of all injuries to the shoulder region.1,2 There are several ligaments that stabilize the shoulder, and injury severity is based upon to what extent damage to these ligaments has occurred. Patients will describe pain in their shoulder, especially with movement, and may notice a bump on top, that represents the end of the collarbone. Most shoulder separations can be treated without surgery, but often do require a period of rest, icing, antiinflammatory medication, and physical therapy.2 Evaluation of these injuries will typically include X-rays to evaluate for fracture and sometimes an MRI if there is suspicion of injury to the joint. With more severe injuries, surgery may be recommended to improve longterm function and relieve pain.2 There are several different surgical procedures that are described for severe shoulder separation injuries depending upon the specifics and which ligaments are injured. All surgical procedures for shoulder injuries will require a period of rest, recovery, and rehabilitation after surgery that can last up to 69 months depending on the type of surgery. Return to sports and activities with non-operative or operative treatment is based on a number of factors to include sport, position, and hand dominance. A throwing athlete like a baseball player or football quarterback who injures their throwing shoulder may require longer periods of time away, as compared to a soccer player for the same severity of injury. For athletes that wear shoulder pads, or even ones that do not, a hardshell or soft pad can be applied over the shoulder for a period of time during initial return to prevent symptoms and re-injury from repeat contact. With proper treatment, shoulder separations can be managed effectively and symptom-free return to activities and sport is the goal. References 1. Kaplan LD, Flanigan DC, Norwig J, Jost P, Bradley J. Prevalence and variance of shoulder injuries in elite collegiate football players. Am J Sports Med. 2005. 33(8):1142-6. 2. Simovitch R, Sanders B, Ozbaydar M, Lavery K, Warner JJ. Acromioclavicular joint injuries: diagnosis and management. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009. 17(4):207-19. 3. Williams GR, Nguyen VD, Rockwood CA. Classification and radiographic analysis of acromioclavicular dislocations. Appl Radiol. 1989. 18(2):29-34.

OSMC Holiday Hours: Dec 23 8AM 5PM Dec 24 CLOSED Dec 25 CLOSED... Dec 26 CLOSED Dec 27 CLOSED Dec 30 8AM 5PM Dec 31 8AM 5 PM Jan 1 CLOSED Regular business hours resume on Thursday January 2, 2020

Returning to Sports After ACL Injury - Not Just Physical by Lee Diehl, MD ACL injury and subsequent surgical reconstruction is one of the most studied sports injuries in the modern literature. Strength, stability, and return to sports participation at the pre-injury level are all measures of the success of ACL reconstruction....Continue reading

We are just over a month away from the end of 2019 and it is important to make sure your body is in top shape over the holiday season. Call and book an appointment to see our therapists. We are happy to help. 905-337-8455

OSMC puts out a monthly newsletter with various articles from the medical world. Grab a copy at your next visit to the clinicOSMC puts out a monthly newsletter with various articles from the medical world. Grab a copy at your next visit to the clinic

Are Synthetic Playing Surfaces As Safe as Natural Grass? by Grant Jones, MD Synthetic playing surfaces were initially developed in the 1960’s with the reported advantages over natural surfaces of being a durable, versatile surface, less affected by weather conditions, allowing multi-sport use, having easier maintenance, and being more cost-effective. However, the early generation surfaces did not provide much shock absorption and allowed for increased traction between the sur...Continue reading

Muscle Cramps More than Just Dehydration by Brandon Erickson, MD Muscle cramps are a debilitating and painful experience that occurs during or shortly after exercise. In the past, muscle cramps were thought to have been caused by dehydration and electrolyte loss, commonly seen in high intensity workouts and game competition. Athletes who developed cramps were treated with massage, as well as rehydration using water and/or fluids containing electrolytes. Medical professional...Continue reading

Our Theralase Laser will be unavailable Monday November 4th - Friday November 8th. We apologize for any inconvenience.Our Theralase Laser will be unavailable Monday November 4th - Friday November 8th. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Frequently Asked Questions about Theralase Laser Treatment: Are Theralase Lasers Harmful? Lasers are used for tissue stimulation and are not strong enough to damage cells; even if they were used 24 hours a day on your condition, they would not be able to harm you.... Can the Laser Treatment Burn? There are two general types of medical lasers: heat generating lasers which cut through tissue and damage tissue and cold laser such as the Theralase, which stimulates tissue repair, reduces inflammation and eliminates pain. You will need to discuss with a therapist the best course of action if you are looking to have laser treatment. If you have any further questions, call OSMC at 905-337-8455 or visit our website http://oakvillesportsmedicinecentre.ca/ser/theralase_laser/

Hit the Trail Safely on a Bike By Ashley Anderson, MD, and Jon F. Dickens, MD Mountain biking is a growing trend across the country with even an international push to increase participation. 1 There are so many health and environmental benefits of cycling1,2,3 that there is no end in sight for its popularity and growth. However, with this increase in ridership, injury types and rates are also increasing. Overuse...Continue reading

The clinic will be closed this upcoming Monday October 14th, 2019 for the holiday. We are back Tuesday October 15th from 8am - 7pm. All of us at OSMC would like to wish you and your families a very Happy Thanksgiving and safe long weekend!

Work Up the Distance Gradually to Prevent Cross Country Injuries by C. David Geier, Jr., MD As we enter fall, hundreds of thousands of runners will start their cross country seasons for their high school teams. In the 2012-2013 school year, cross country was the fourth most popular boys’ sport and sixth most popular girls’ sport, and has continued to grow in popularity. With so many young athletes training, we must take steps to keep cross country runners healthy.... A study in the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy examined the summer training of cross country athletes and how it affected their risk of injury when the season started. The researchers studied 421 runners for one cross country season. Each runner completed a questionnaire about their summer training. The researchers then correlated the data to see what training factors were associated with increased risk of injury. Almost 16% of the cross country runners suffered an injury in the first month of the season. As other studies have shown, a higher percentage of girls suffered injuries than boys. For girls specifically, there was an increased risk of injury in the first month if the athletes ran eight weeks or fewer during the summer. Not alternating short and longer training distances was associated with an increased risk of injuries as well. Finally, girls who spent more time running hills or on irregular terrains had an increased risk of injury. This study suggests that at least for female cross country runners, training during the summer, varying training mileage frequently and limiting training on hills and irregular terrains might help keep the athletes healthy early in the season. Knowing the level of summer training and overall running fitness can help cross country coaches assess their athletes’ injury risk. An experienced runner who trained throughout the summer is probably better prepared for full training at the start of the season than a novice runner who ran infrequently over the summer break. For the kids in that group, a more gradual increase in training mileage might help decrease their risk of cross country injuries. References Summer Training Factors and Risk of Musculoskeletal Injury Among High School Cross-country Runners. Mitchell J. Rauh, PT, PhD, MPH, FACSM. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 2014:44(10) 793804.

"Cross country running has many challenges, including varied terrain, hills, inclines, and uneven surfaces. A cross country runner has to adjust his/her stride length with these many variables. This can challenge the athlete differently than running on a flat surface track."... To read more from this article, stay tuned in to our facebook page or blog for our October Newsletter articles.

UCL Injuries and Tommy John Surgery: Fact or Fiction By Lance E. LeClere, MD, and Luke S. Oh, MD The prevalence of ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries in throwing athletes has grown substantially over the past several years, especially in the adolescent patient population. As more and more professional athletes successfully return to high levels of play after Tommy John surgery (or ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction), many young athletes, parents, and coaches have ...come to recognize that elbow injuries in throwing athletes are not necessarily career ending. As public awareness about Tommy John surgery and its success stories have grown, so too have some myths and misunderstandings about the surgery. Here are some common misconceptions about UCL injuries and Tommy John surgery: I can tear my ulnar collateral ligament with one bad throw. Although many athletes report hearing or feeling a pop on one specific pitch or throw, the vast majority of athletes have had symptoms on the inside portion of the elbow for quite some time before the ligament finally tears. It is less common for an athlete to tear the ligament with one single throw without prior symptoms. For this reason, it is imperative that parents and coaches pay attention to the symptoms that young athletes report. Always take any elbow pain very seriouslyit could be an early sign of overuse and possible ligament injury. Pitch counts and innings counts are separate in different leagues and don’t cross over or add up. The ulnar collateral ligament is typically injured as a result of cumulative damage over time and it does not discriminate based on which league an athlete is pitching in! Staying just under the limit in two leagues in the same week will add up and exceed the overall limit. If an athlete is simultaneously participating in multiple leagues and playing on multiple teams, it is the collective responsibility of the player, parents, and coaches to ensure that the TOTAL pitch or inning count does not exceed the recommended limit. Tommy John surgery will make me a better pitcher. A common myth about Tommy John surgery is that having surgery when the ligament is not torn will add speed/strength to a player’s pitches. Many players will begin to lose accuracy and speed because of pain, muscle fatigue, and ligament damage before their ligament ruptures completely. Having surgery on a healthy ligament will not improve a player’s performance If I have surgery, I’m out for the year. Recovery from ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction usually takes approximately 1216 months. Having Tommy John surgery means my career is over. When undergoing UCL reconstruction for a complete or high-grade partial tear, success rates are close to 90 percent in professional athletes and about 7580 percent for high school athletes

SLAP Tears Common and Treatable By Kevin W. Farmer, MD Shoulder injuries are commonly encountered by athletes who perform frequent overhead or throwing motions such as divers, basketball players, or pitchers. One of the most common shoulder injuries is a SLAP (superior labrum anterior to posterior) tear or injury to the area that encircles the shoulder socket, and serves as the attachment site for the ligaments that stabilizes the shoulder, as well as the biceps. 1...Continue reading

We will be closed this upcoming Monday September 2nd 2019. OSMC will resume regular business hours on Tuesday September 3rd, 2019 Enjoy the last long weekend of the summer!

How do you treat Osgood-Schlatter’s? Activity modification is the main treatment for Osgood-Schlatter’s. Other conservative treatment measures include ice, stretching, controlled strengthening, simple over-the counter pain medicines, and a patellar strap. In more severe cases, a short period of casting or bracing may be recommended. Call OSMC to make an appointment today at 905-337-8455

In the quest for performance and fitness, athletes and the public often turn to recovery drinks for a boost. Research into this area has generated useful information that can guide optimal consumption of these drinks. Recovery drinks should include an adequate amount of carbohydrates to maximize recovery as well as protein.

What is a stinger? By Karen Y. Peck, MEd, ATC, CCRP, and Brett D. Owens, MD Stingers or burners are common injuries among collision athletes, but most of these injuries are not long-lasting or serious in nature. A stinger, more formally known as brachial neuropraxia, results when there is injury to the vast network of nerves surrounding the neck and traveling to the shoulder, arm, and hand. These nerves are susceptible to injury when the head is forcibly pushed into an extrem...e range of motion. Stingers can also occur after a direct blow to the area between the neck and shoulder. This injury commonly occurs in football, wrestling, rugby, and gymnastics. Symptoms include neck pain, numbness, burning, and weakness in one arm. Symptoms in both arms could be indicative of a more serious spine injury and should be evaluated by medical personnel immediately. The symptoms of a stinger usually subside in moments to hours but more serious injuries can last for weeks. Injuries with symptoms that persist should be referred to an orthopedic surgeon for further evaluation. Permanent injury is rare but can occur. When can an athlete return to his/her sport? Athletes can return to their sport as soon as they can perform full range of motion of the neck and shoulder without symptoms. Additionally, they should demonstrate full strength and normal sensation in the upper extremities. Athletes who return to sport with residual numbness or weakness are at increased risk for further injury. Most athletes who sustain stingers can expect to recover and return to their sport within minutes or hours. In rare cases, stingers can become recurrent or chronic. This is commonly the result of accompanying injuries in the spine such as a herniated disk or a narrowed cervical nerve opening. These abnormalities can cause an athlete to be at increased risk for stingers or to experience prolonged symptoms after injury. How can I prevent this injury from happening again? Athletes who experience prolonged symptoms should be evaluated by an orthopedic surgeon and should work with a certified athletic trainer or a physical therapist to improve neck strength and flexibility to minimize the risk of future injury. Equipment should be assessed to ensure proper fitting. Some additional equipment, such as football cowboy collars and neck rolls designed to limit the range of motion of the neck, may also be helpful to help reduce the risk of re-injury

Know the Right Way to Slide and Prevent Injuries By Kevin W. Farmer, MD Millions of athletes compete in baseball and softball on an annual basis, and, as with all sports, injury risk and prevention are important concerns. One type of injury particular to these sports are injuries that occur during a slide to a base... Athletes utilize both head-first and feet-first techniques when sliding. This activity is an important part of the game, and occurs, on average, eight times per game in collegiate and high school baseball, and five times per game in softball. 1,2 The Centers for Disease Control estimated that $24 million could be saved annually from sliding injury prevention, underscoring the importance of understanding the risks involved. 3 There are several aspects to sliding injury prevention that can be implemented. As with many sporting activities, proper technique is important. One potential explanation for the increased rate of injury in softball players is a higher incidence of last second sliding decisions. Shorter base paths and smaller fields may also lead to more last second decisions. Players should be coached to consider sliding at all times, to minimize the last second slide. In addition, sliding compression shorts and appropriate baseball pants are important in reducing injury. Some players hold their batting gloves to minimize the risk of jamming their fingers during headfirst slides. Breakaway bases have also been shown to decrease injury rates during sliding. A 1993 study demonstrated a decrease in injury rates from two injuries per 100 baseball games with standard bases, to 0.4 injuries per 100 games with break-away bases. 4 Biomechanical studies have also confirmed the benefit of break-away bases. However, the widespread use of break-away bases has not caught on, with increased costs likely a large reason. Sliding injuries are a common cause of injuries during baseball and softball games. Fortunately, most injuries are minor. Improvement in technique and the use of break-away bases could help decrease the incidence of these injuries. Learn more ways to prevent baseball injuries at www.stopsportsinjuries.org/baseball-injury-prevention. References 1. Hosey RG, Puffer JC. Baseball and softball sliding injuries: incidence, and the effect of technique in collegiate baseball and softball players. Am J Sports Med. 2000.28: 360-363. 2. Stovak M, Parikh A, Harvey AT. Baseball and softball sliding injuries: incidence and correlates during one high school league varsity season. Clin J Sport Med. 2012.22: 501-504. 3. Janda DH, Wotys EM, Hankin FM, et al. Softball sliding injuriesMichigan, 19861987. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly. Rep. 1988.37:169-170. 4. Janda DH, Maguire R, et al. Sliding injuries in college and professional baseballa prospective study comparing standard and break-away bases. Clin J Sport Med. 1993.3:78-81

OSMC will be closed this upcoming Monday August 5th for the Civic Holiday. We will resume regular business hours on Tuesday August 6th, 8am - 7pm. Have a safe and enjoyable long weekend!

Sliding is a common cause of injuries during baseball and softball games. Fortunately, most injuries are minor. Improvement in technique and the use of break-away bases could help decrease the incidence of these injuries. Stay tuned for the full article on sliding injuries as part of our August newsletter.

Here at OSMC we offer Athletic Therapy, Osteopathy, and Physiotherapy. Call the clinic at 905-337-8455 to book your appointments today

Competition is part of life and we are all programmed to strive to be successful. The temptations of winning and of becoming bigger and stronger can be quite powerful. Performance enhancing drugs, especially anabolic steroids, have become widespread, including usage by non-athletes who want to improve their physical appearance. Younger athletes see their role models using these substances, only adding to their appeal. Unfortunately, anabolic steroids have potentially dangerous and permanent side effects. Parents and coaches should continually stress the values of hard work, training, discipline, teamwork, participation, and fun in sports as opposed to winning at all costs attitude.

Playground Safety Key for Youngest Athletes By Daniel Solomon, MD We form some of our earliest athletic experiences on playgrounds and on the blacktop. Unfortunately, injuries occur with some frequency in these areas. The key to stopping some of the 250,000 annual playground injuries in the United States is prevention. Monkey bars, swings, and slides account for the majority of injuries, with monkey bars causing more than 75,000 doctor’s visits annually and swings and slides ...causing around 50,000 injuries each. Here’s a few tips to help prevent a trip to the emergency room: Pay attention to the equipment, age, and activities of other children and general condition of the playground. Often it is not only the equipment, but a child’s behavior or actions that lead to injury. Look for loose, damaged, or missing supports, and exposed anchors, footings, nuts, bolts, or other connectors. Keep an eye out for bending, warping, rusting, or breakage of any components, or sharp edges due to wear or breakage. Clean up trash in the area (particularly glass or cans); don’t allow play around environmental hazards such as roots, rocks, or poor drainage areas. Keep your child on age-appropriate and height appropriate equipment. Utilize playgrounds that have surfaces constructed from appropriate softer material such as rubber or loose fill, such as double-shredded bark mulch, engineered wood fibers, sand, and fine or medium gravel of suitable depth. Unsuitable surfaces include asphalt, concrete, soil, packed dirt, grass, and turf. Don’t allow children under 3 to ride on slides in someone else’s lap. Their legs can get caught and twisted leading to lower leg fractures. Look for playgrounds with areas for active play such as swings separated from areas for quiet play like sandboxes. Play areas for preschoolers and older children should be kept apart as well. Make sure you can see your child at all times. Look for a barrier around the playground to prevent children from running into a street, especially near basketball or other ball courts. Ensure the landing area at the bottom of a slide or the area immediately surrounding a merry-go-round is free from other children. Schools and cities should keep playgrounds in good condition by inspecting and maintaining the equipment throughout the year. Heavy rainfall, snow, extreme temperatures, and high winds can damage playground equipment. Heavy use can also cause equipment to wear out quickly. If you find a particular hazard, let the group responsible for the playground know as soon as possible! Most importantly, play safe and have fun!

To Brace or Not to Brace That Is the Question By Lance LeClere, MD Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and other ligament injuries of the knee can be devastating for football players and may result in significant loss of playing time and/or require surgical treatment. As player safety and injury prevention continue to be a priority, many players and parents wonder if a knee brace can help prevent major football injuries. Several factors come u...nder consideration when trying to decide whether a player should wear a knee brace: Effectiveness in preventing an injury Play hindrance Added weight Unnatural feel Cost Practicality of routine use Possibility of increases in injuries in the hip or ankle Prophylactic knee bracing or using a knee brace to prevent injury in football is controversial, with no clearcut answer from quality studies. Some studies suggest that prophylactic knee bracing helps prevent MCL injuries in high risk positions such as offensive and defensive linemen, linebackers, and tight ends and may decrease the severity of injuries when they do occur. 1 However, there is no strong evidence to suggest that the rate of ACL injuries is decreased by routine use of knee braces. 1 Two published review articles on prophylactic bracing for prevention of knee injuries in football players concluded that data was not clear enough to make a recommendation for or against prophylactic bracing. 1,2 Widespread, routine use of prophylactic knee braces is not supported by available evidence or professional society recommendations. However, each player must consider individual factors such as position, level of competition, comfort, and cost when deciding if prophylactic bracing is advisable. As always, open dialogue among players, parents, coaches, athletic trainers, and team physicians is encouraged. References 1. Salata, MJ, Gibbs AE, Sekiya JK. The Effectiveness of Prophylactic Knee Bracing in American Football: A Systematic Review. Sports Health. 2010; 2(5): 375-379. 2. Pietrosimone BG, Grindstaff TL, et al. A Systematic Review of Prophylactic Braces in the Prevention of Knee Ligament Injuries in Collegiate Football Players. J Athl Train. 2008;43: 409-415.

It seems the warm weather is here for the season, which means its time to get back to some of our favorite activities. At OSMC, we can help you increase strength, treat restricted muscles and joints, and provide rehabilitation for injuries. Call 905-337-8455 and we can help you get back to those activities that you enjoy!

Following an acute injury such as an ankle or knee sprain, swelling may occur due to damage of the small blood vessels around the joint or muscle. Applying ice to an acute injury makes the blood vessels constrict and thus minimizes the swelling and pain. The sooner ice is applied to the acute injury, the more effective it can be. Never apply heat to an acute injury since this causes the opposite effect, and actually makes the vessels swell more. The longer the injury is swollen, the longer it takes to heal.

We will be closed this upcoming Monday May 20th, for the Victoria Day Holiday. The clinic will resume regular business hours on Tuesday May 21, 2019. Have a wonderful and safe long weekend from all of us here at OSMC!

Some tips for encouraging your child to get involved in sports include: Allow for free playUnder the age of five, free play is best. Running, water play or swimming, and biking (with training wheels, if needed) are great ways to encourage physical activity and to promote physical development and coordination. As the child grows, team sports participation can be introduced, usually around the age of 5 or 6. Before then, the attention span may not lend itself to team efforts. ...Taking the child to organized athletic events as a spectator on a regular basis can also introduce the child to various team sports. The child may express an interest in participation in one of these sports. You don’t have to take the child to a professional event. Merely taking the child to a little league soccer or baseball game may show them that other kids are doing physical activities and having fun, so they may want to join in. See more

Some tips for encouraging your child to get involved in sports include: Play sports with your childEncourage your child to move away from television and computers and play outside. Simple running, kicking a ball, or playing outdoor games can promote a fun experience from which the child builds. Organize a family or parent-child outdoor activity such as a biking or swimming activity. Make it fun, so the child will want to do it again.

ConcussionSolutions is working with the software developer HighMark Interactive to bring a combined baseline testing and gaming component as a solution to help aid athletes, parents, sports organizations, and health care professionals with concussion management. Baseline testing is a pre-season exam conducted by a trained health care professional. Baseline tests are used to assess an athlete’s balance and brain function (including learning and memory skills, ability to pay a...Continue reading

How can we prevent children from using anabolic steroids? Parents must realize that anabolic steroids are not only a problem in elite athletics; children are also exposed to these drugs. Parents should talk about steroids and other performance enhancing drugs with their children. Discuss the risks and side effects of these drugs with your children. Parents and coaches should continually stress the values of hard work, training, discipline, teamwork, participation, and fun in sports as opposed to winning at all costs attitude.

The clinic will be closed Thursday May 2nd 2019, we will resume regular business hours on Friday May 3rd, 2019.

Cross country running is challenging but it can provide excellent cardiovascular benefits, as well as improve overall strength. It teaches discipline, and since it is a team sport, can provide a good social atmosphere. The expense of the sport is minimal, with only a good pair of shoes being the main requirement. Paying attention to a proper training program, including regular strengthening and stretching exercises, can make cross country running a very rewarding athletic experience.

As with all endurance activities, proper training and preparation are the first steps to injury prevention. Participants should be aware of the types of activities they will be doing while traversing the obstacles, and prepare as best as possible, including: Running on uneven terrain Practicing open water swimming Climbing over materials at the heights that will occur during the race, if need be ... Thinking through the race and its various componentsmental preparation is sometimes as essential as physical preparation Consider doing portions of the race or certain obstacles at a slower pace or not at all, taking some personal responsibility for your own safety See more

Sports can be a fun way to introduce your child into a lifelong healthy lifestyle. Children need physical activity for growth and development, and sports participation helps with this goal. Playing sports can promote socialization and teamwork. This is important in the child’s development of self-esteem and goal setting.

Osgood-Schlatter’s is a disorder that causes pain at the tibial tuberosity, which is the bump on the front of the knee, just below the kneecap where the patellar tendon attaches. It is generally a self-limited problem and does not lead to long-term consequences. Most athletes with Osgood-Schlatter’s will improve with a short period of rest. The problem is due to pulling of the tendon on the growth plate. Some theories of Osgood-Schlatter’s suggest that there are microfractures of the growth plate in this area.

Athletes participating in any endurance activity should always: Hydrate appropriately before the race begins and stop at designated rest stops and hydration stations to drink fluids and eat as necessary Be aware of temperature and weather conditions for the day and dress appropriately.... Make sure your attire and shoes fit properly and are what is recommended by race organizers. Consider the altitude and the extra fatigue that comes with racing in certain locations.