Triathlete doc Jordan Metzl gives athletes tips in new book

USA Today—March 19, 2012

Say it isn't so? One of the most fit, most athletic, and perhaps most emphatic sports medicine physicians let it fly that he is human.

"I have some knee arthritis," says Dr. Jordan Metzl, of Hospital for Special Surgery in New York. "Instead of easing off (exercise), I have built up strength around the joint. That has really helped."

Metzl, 45, shares his fitness expertise in a new book, The Athlete's Book of Home Remedies, 1,001 Doctor-Approved Health Fixes and Injury-Prevention Secrets for a Leaner, Fitter, More Athletic Body!

He knows athletes of all ages get hurt. His patients, from professional athletes to young and older weekend warriors, tell him the Internet is where they turn to self-diagnose.

His advice? Don't.

"I wanted people to have good, accurate information and to know when to seek help. There's too much bad information on the Internet."

Nine chapters are devoted to what can go wrong, from head (concussions, broken noses) to foot (stress fractures, neuromas). The book features dynamic anatomical illustrations, descriptions of the pain and other symptoms, treatments, when to call the doctor and how to prevent the injury from recurring.

"I never tell people to stop working out," he says. "The heart is a muscle and needs to be exercised every day."

For an Achilles injury, he recommends swimming and biking. "Running is a huge no-no and will make the injury worse," he writes.

He says strengthening the muscles (calf) affecting the Achilles tendon will take the load off the tendon. Result: a happier Achilles tendon.

"I take readers through the injury to getting well to performance enhancement," he says.