Three Reasons Girl Athletes are at Risk for ACL Injury

In the U.S. 56% of high school students play sports of some type, reported in Austin Family magazine. The participation rate among girls has seen the highest growth in the last decade and is part of the reason ACL injuries have escalated quickly among young female athletes. However, there are some body and strength differences that put girls more at risk for injury.


In his interview with Austin Family, Dr. Randall Schultz, orthopedic surgeon with Texas Orthopedics, says that the running, jumping, stopping and starting can put girls' knees at greater risk of injury.

"We know that high velocity sports are the ones that really put them at risk (for knee injury), so soccer is a big one, basketball as well and probably to a lesser degree volleyball and softball."

Differences in body build and strength change the way girls land on their feet, compared to boys. Here are three examples:

1. Girls use their quads more. Girls' quadriceps (Muscle group in the top of the thing) is the dominant, or strongest, muscle in the leg. This means that girls don't use their hamstrings or their knees as much when they land or change direction during sports. Males, on the other hand, have a tendency to use their hamstrings.

2. Girls have a dominant leg. In girls one leg tends to be strong than the other leg, while in boys, both legs usually have the same strength. This can cause girls to be off balance when they land and set them up for an ACL injury.

3. Girls often have less core strength. This makes it harder for girls to have control over their bodies during physical activity.

What can parents do to prevent injury? Incorporate more neuromuscular training into a young athlete's preparation. Therapist can work the individual to gauge their risk and then develop a program to reduce that risk.

"A lot of it comes down to the position of the foot relative to the knee, and then the ability to have the strength to control and slow down a rapid deceleration or a quick change in direction," explains Dr. Schultz.

Click here to read the full article.

Click here to contact Texas Orthopedics and learn how we can help your young athlete reduce her injury risk.

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June is National Scoliosis Awareness Month

Scoliosis, an abnormal curvature of the spine, affects about 6 million people in the US. It usually strikes in childhood and adolescence with the average age of diagnosis being about 10 to 15 years old. And most of the time, there's no known cause of scoliosis.

But experts do know this: awareness is key because early diagnosis will treat the curvature early and hopefully stop it from progressing. Most children are screened in school today, so healthcare professionals can look for the following signs and symptoms (According to the Scoliosis Research Society):

• A hump or uneven appearance in the rib cage.
• Any lateral deviation in the spine (asymmetry).
• Shoulders at different heights.
• One hip more prominent than the other.

What steps should you take if you think your child has scoliosis?

According to the Scoliosis Research Society, a lateral spinal curve greater than 25-30 degrees is considered significant. A curve greater than 45 degrees is severe and requires aggressive treatment.

If you think your child may have scoliosis, call or make an appointment online for an evaluation.

One of our Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation specialists, Dr. Kenneth Bunch, will perform an exam and order additional imaging tests if an abnormal spine curve is detected.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Serious Injuries Sideline US Players During World Cup

All eyes were on the US last week as they stunned many by beating Ghana in their opening World Cup game with a 2-1 victory. But joy was overshadowed by serious injuries to two of the star players, Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey.

Altidore left the game with a strained hamstring and Dempsey had a bloody nose after taking a high leg to the face.

The US coach says Altidore is healing well and should be able to play soon.

A second US player, Matt Besler, suffered tightness in his hamstring but is expected to play as well.

Vitals.com outlines in an infographic the most common soccer injuries, as well as how to prevent them. What's the most common? ACL injuries are at the top of the list. Read more here about what Texas Orthopedics' Dr. Randall Schultz says about these all too common and very painful injuries.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

Dr. Barbara Bergin on DailyFinance.com

The percentrage of patients with high-deductible health insurance plans is growing, according to DailyFinance.com. As a result, patients are becoming more price conscious about their health care choices.

Motley Fool writer and DailyFinance.com contributor, Beth Orenstein, consulted several physicians on ways patients can save money. Texas Orthopedics' surgeon, Dr. Barbara Bergin, was one of a handful interviewed.

Click here to read her response.

Check out Dr. Bergin on @Daily-Finance "Surviving Your High-Deductible Health Plan" http://aol.it/1pM1sle

Recover Right, Take it From the XGame Athlete

Last week, KVUE-TV interviewed Texas Orthopedics' surgeon, Dr. Peter Garcia and his patient Chase Hawk, a BMX athlete about to compete at XGames Austin.

Chase spoke about his recent and most devastating injury suffered two years ago- a broken fibula that required him to relearn to walk. He did, with the help of the Texas Orthopedics team and we were proud to see him back on his bike and competing.

His recovery story has an important message that everyone with an injury should follow - don't shortchange your recovery.

Hawk says all his injuries during his nearly 20 years of competitive racing have taught him not to cheat his recovery time because it will ultimately cost him during competition, not only physically but mentally.

Chase has learned the hard way what can happen when you jump back into the game too quickly. So, take it from the XGame athlete, recover right. Following the rules not only helped his recovery, it helped him earn a gold medal this past weekend!

If you didn't catch the news story, you can see it here: Austin BMX racer back on the bike after injury.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

ACL Injury Strike Dallas Cowboys

The football season hasn't even started and it looks like the Dallas Cowboys have already experienced a setback.

ESPN reported last week that the Cowboys' middle linebacker, Sean Lee, has a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and slight tear of the meniscus. The injuries will likely put him on the sidelines for most of the 2014 season.

So, what is an ACL injury? Why is it serious enough to take a star player out of the game?

The ACL is a powerful ligament that stabilizes the front of the knee, which is why it is so debilitating for the person with an injury. Ligaments are strong non-elastic fibers that connect our bones together. The ACL crosses inside of the knee, connecting the thighbone to the leg and provides stability to the knee joint.

An injury to the ACL in the form of a tear or sprain is one of the most common knee injuries especially among athletes who participate in sports like soccer, basketball, football and baseball. In these sports, athletes often shift direction quickly, stop suddenly, are jumping and or doing other sudden movements that are often associated with an ACL injury.

The ACL can tear completely or partially. Some cases of ACL tears are treated with non-surgical methods. However, there are several surgical options that successfully restore knee strength and stability. In the case of Sean Lee, the report suggests he will undergo surgery to repair his injury.

Click here to learn more about Texas Orthopedics ACL injury care.

Avoiding the Unavoidable Skateboard Injury

What's the fastest growing sport in America? Most guess pastimes like football, baseball or basketball. Surprisingly, skateboarding beats all of these sports in the number of new adopters. Part of the reason is the rapid popularity of athletes like Tony Hawk and events like the ESPN's X-Games.

After the fun filled weekend of the X Games in Austin, skateboarding is on every teenager's mind. But, while the growing sport is undeniably cool, it also carries risk for injury. There are, however, ways to prevent from being sidelined.

Keep it safe while skateboarding with these three tips.

Be of Appropriate Age. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, children under the age of 5 should not ride skateboards and children aged 6 to 10 years old need close adult supervision.

Wear the Right Gear. Before getting on your skateboard, empty your pockets of all hard and sharp objects and put on your protective gear. This means wearing wrist guards, elbow and knee pads and, most importantly, a properly fitting helmet.

Be Choosey Where You Skateboard. Pick a place away from traffic or other places where it is possible to collide with motor vehicles, bikes, pedestrians, or other obstacles. Ideally, select a  location designated for skateboarding.

For more safety tips, visit the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).

It’s National Hand Therapy Week at Texas Orthopedics

The American Society of Hand Therapists (ASHT) recognizes June 2-June 8 as National Hand Therapy Week.  Hand Therapy Week raises awareness about the hand therapy specialty, demonstrating the advantages of prevention and treatment procedures for patients who have been affected by an accident or trauma, and educating the public.

Hand therapists provide important services after medical treatment allowing patients to function normally in their daily lives.  Texas Orthopedics is proud to have three certified hand therapists that work closely with our patients suffering from various conditions like arthritis and carpel tunnel syndrome.


From biking to gardening to safe turkey carving tips, ASHT offers these important safety and prevention advice when it comes to protecting your hands from serious injuries.

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic)

It's National Running Day... are You Wearing the Right Shoes?

It's National Running Day - a day where we celebrate our love for running. Commemorate the day by strapping on your shoes and hitting the pavement. But, wait.... are you wearing the right running shoes?

One of the reasons runners love running is because it's easy to do anywhere - the only equipment required is a pair of shoes. Yet, these days there seems to be an endless number of styles. Do you pronate? Have a high arch? Is your heel wide? Do you have flat feet? Your answer will lead you to the best choice for you and prevent unnecessary injury.

How do you decipher it all? The AAOS helps cut through the shoe clutter, by narrowing down the styles into three main categories. Know your type before your next purchase.

1. Cushioned or "neutral" shoes. These are designed for runners with high arched, rigid feet. Runners with this type of foot are classified as "supinator." The midsole of a cushioned running shoe will generally have a single color of soft foam material, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), in the arch and heel. A moldable synthetic material, EVA has varying density properties to provide more or less cushion in the shoe. 
2. Stability shoes. These provide light to moderate stability for individuals with an arch that may collapse while running. This type of runner, classified as a "pronator," needs to maintain their arch while running. Stability shoes have two to three different shades of gray polyurethane material in the arch, and possibly the heel, each with a different density to provide more support for the pronated (flat) foot type. The polyurethane material will make the shoe feel heavier than a shoe made only with EVA. 
3. Motion control shoes. These are designed for runners who are "severe pronators." As the most stable shoe, these are the shoe of choice for runners with flat feet, and those with a heavier body weight. A motion control shoe may have an extra stabilizer added to the inside edge of the heel counter to provide maximum control. 

Click here for more information from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons on safe running practices. 

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic). 

Physician Extenders - What are they?

You've heard the saying, 'it takes a village....' At Texas Orthopedics, we believe it takes a qualified team to ensure you get the best quality orthopedic care. In order to accommodate patients in a timely manner, many of our physicians utilize physician extenders in their practice.

Physician extenders are healthcare professionals with advanced degrees and medical training that help provide quality and personalized healthcare for our patients. They examine and evaluate patients, order tests, diagnose, develop treatment plans and write prescriptions under the supervision of our physicians. While you'll always see a physician on your first visit, you may also see other members of our medical team on subsequent visits.

Here's our 'team lineup' and a description of their qualifications so you know exactly what kind of care you're receiving and from whom:

Physician Assistant (PA): medical professional who is nationally certified and state-licensed to practice medicine. All PAs are graduates of an accredited PA educational program.

Nurse Practitioner (NP)/Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)/Advanced Practice (APN): a registered nurse who has completed a master's doctoral degree program. APNs are board certified and state-licensed.

Texas Orthopedics physician extenders can do the following in the office:

• Physical examinations, orthopaedic evaluations
• Develop patients' treatment plans with physicians
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests such as x-rays
• Prescribe medications and therapies
• Preoperative exams, consultations and histories 
• Postoperative exams
• Injections

Physician assistants and advanced practice nurses with a surgical assist certification can also provide surgical assistance, including wound closures, dressings, graft preparation and instrumentation insertions. They will also do inpatient hospital rounds, visiting surgery patients while in the hospital. Texas Orthopedics physician extenders participate in patient care in both the clinical office and hospital settings.

Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Hand Therapist: Our hands-on physical therapists, occupational therapists, and hand therapists perform comprehensive evaluations and develop treatment plans specific to each patients' goals. The therapist use many methods to help our patients achieve their goals, such as therapeutic exercise, modalities, and manual techniques. 

Texas Orthopedics is committed to giving patients the highest quality of care with a skilled, comprehensive medical team. 

Keep up with Texas Orthopedics news by following us on Facebook and Twitter (@TexasOrthopedic).