From varsity and college athletes to the weekend warriors who love the thrill of competition, a sports injury can be a daunting thing to overcome. In addition to the physical rehabilitation required, an athlete’s mental state can also be in desperate need of repair. We spoke to some local experts to gain some insight on injury prevention and the latest methods being used to help people recover and come back even stronger than before.
How effective are mouth guards in helping to prevent injury?
“Mouth guards protect your teeth by preventing clenching and aid against concussion injuries where the lower jaw can be slammed into the upper teeth. The best idea is to
get the one that fits you most comfortably and wear it around the house before game day to adapt to the feel. Mouth guards have traditionally been used in select sports such as football, lacrosse, hockey or boxing. But now other sports like baseball, basketball, gymnastics and cheerleading recommend their use. Remember, you have only one set of teeth – don’t leave them on the field.”
— DR. TOM KADAR, OWNER, KADAR ORTHODONTICS
Which type of mouth guard provides the most protection?
“I would recommend getting one that’s custom made at a dental office. And the reason for that is because we take an impression, or we take a scan of your teeth, and that gets sent to a lab and the lab makes a customized fit that fits only your teeth versus if you go to the store and you get a generic type. That type – there’s small, medium and
large, so it’s not specifically fit for your particular teeth. So, a lot of times what can happen is it can be tighter than normal, creating damage where it’s putting a lot of
abnormal pressures on your teeth. Or, it can be looser where it just falls out in the middle of you playing whatever sports you’re playing.”
— DR. NERMEEN RIFAI, OWNER, ALL SMILES FAMILY DENTAL
How important is physical therapy post-injury?
“Physical therapy post-injury is paramount. What we’ve found is that with a lot of different surgeries that we do – and in fact pretty much every surgery I do – we’re going to try to get kids into physical therapy as soon as they possibly can. The rehab
starts on day one. Rehabilitation can decrease the risk of complications and help build muscle strength. “No matter what they’re doing, they’re going to have weakness with
their muscles. And since physical therapists are working with children and seeing them much more often than the doctors post-surgery, their assessments are also incredibly
helpful in guiding patient treatment.”
— DR. SEAN R. WALDRON, PEDIATRIC ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON,
SHRINERS CHILDREN’S PHILADELPHIA
How can the right form during strength training help prevent injury?
“Improper form means the body is not correctly aligned. This places unnecessary stress on our tendons and joints, which could lead to injury and pain. It’s very important that a person incorporates rest periods (two-to-three minutes) between sets. When fatigue sets in, a person’s form can start to break down, which can lead to injury.”
— SUE GALLAGHER HOLTON, OWNER, ANYTIME FITNESS MEDFORD
What kind of role can physical therapy play in helping to prevent reinjury?
“Physical therapists play an important role in preventing reinjury and helping individuals return to full, optimal function. Through a comprehensive examination and an individualized treatment plan, physical therapists can identify weaknesses and imbalances in the muscles and joints to correct, improve, and restore strength, flexibility, range of motion, motor control, coordination and balance.”
— PAUL G. VIDAL, DPT, CF-L1, OWNER,
SPECIALIZED PHYSICAL THERAPY LLC & CROSSFIT SURG
Published (and copyrighted) in Suburban Family Magazine, Volume 14, Issue 9.
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