Leaders in Sports Medicine Host Preseason Discussion About Baseball Injuries - 2010

Treatment, Rehabilitation and Performance Enhancement of the Baseball Player

To help athletic trainers and physical therapists understand the latest surgical advances and rehabilitative techniques available for pitchers and throwing athletes, Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City will host an educational event drawing on the expertise of its Sports Medicine Service.

• David W. Altchek, M.D., co-Chief of Special Surgery’s Sports Medicine Service and Medical Director of the New York Mets.
• Michael "Mickey" Levinson, PT, CSCS, Clinical Supervisor of the Sports Medicine, Performance and Research Center at Hospital for Special Surgery
• Struan H. Coleman, M.D., Ph.D., Orthopedic Surgeon on the Sports Medicine Service at Hospital for Special Surgery and head team physician for the New York Mets

"As pitchers and catchers report to training camp on February 17, physical therapists and athletic trainers will, once again, need to become well-versed in the myriad of potential injuries that may occur over the course of the season," said David W. Altchek, M.D., Co-Chief of Special Surgery's Sports Medicine Service. Dr. Altchek, who is also Medical Director of the New York Mets, will keynote the event and will discuss "Managing the Veteran Thrower." Dr. Altchek will speak from his experience in managing the return of veteran and relief pitchers to high performance and review his outcomes.

Also on the agenda is Michael "Mickey" Levinson, PT, CSCS, Clinical Supervisor of the Sports Medicine, Performance and Research Center at Hospital for Special Surgery. Mr. Levinson, who works along side Dr. Altchek on the Mets' medical team as a physical therapist, will discuss "Rehabilitation of the Young Thrower: Special Considerations."

Considering the talent and financial pressures that go hand-in-hand with professional sports, it becomes easy to understand the pressures being placed on the team physicians to return the players to top form.

"The outcome measurement is very precise," Dr. Altchek notes. "If these athletes fail to return at or above the same level as they were prior to injury, it's a disaster, and it’s not acceptable."

"Regardless of the athlete's condition, returning to play after an injury is a very graduated process," continued Dr. Altchek. Mickey and his team introduce specialized therapy and functional exercises and constantly monitor the athlete's progress and comfort level. After these steps, they practice at low levels, and eventually, they begin to play at low levels. Pitchers, for example, require extra caution, as they take a longer time to return to pitching at the same level in a game situation.

"It’s much different than pitching in the bullpen," Mickey remarks.

Other highlights include HSS Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon Struan H. Coleman, M.D., Ph.D., who will discuss "Management of Hip Injuries in Baseball Players," focusing on an often misdiagnosed condition that affected several high profile players in the past season. Additional topics will include recognition, treatment and rehabilitation of hamstring injuries and video analysis for performance enhancement and injury prevention.

If you are interested in attending the event or if you would like to talk with Dr. Altchek. Mr. Levinson or Dr. Coleman prior to the event, please contact Tracy Hickenbottom, Public Relations at Hospital for Special Surgery at (212) 606-1197, hickenbottomt@hss.edu. We also invite you to contact us throughout the baseball season if you would like to interview Dr. Altchek and other members of the HSS sports service when you are writing and need background on the full range of sports-related injuries.