New York City—February 26, 2010
The longest running and best attended pediatric sports medicine conference in the United States, Hospital for Special Surgery’s 12th Annual Sports Medicine for the Young Athlete Symposium teaches pediatricians, residents, medical students, physical therapists, school nurses and certified athletic trainers about healthy sports for young athletes.
More than 15 topics pertaining to the care of the athletic child will be discussed. Listed below are highlights of four selected presentations that will be offered at the continuing medical education event. Featured topics include adolescent bone health, scoliosis, pediatric ACL, and a special section on caring for young gymnasts.
To arrange interviews with the following speakers or to cover the symposium, please contact Hospital for Special Surgery’s Public Relations Department at (212) 606-1197.
Hot Topics in Infectious Disease: Update on MRSA
Lisa R. Callahan, M.D., Medical Director, Women’s Sports Medicine Program; Associate Attending Physician (Sports), Hospital for Special Surgery
Dr. Callahan will address the prevention and diagnosis of MRSA infections, a growing health problem in the athletic population. Participants will learn the importance of recognizing infections so that the correct drug therapies can be used on a timely basis to treat MRSA and other infectious diseases common among athletes.
What’s New in Pediatric ACL
Robert Marx, M.D., Sports Medicine Orthopedic Surgeon, Hospital for Special Surgery
Dr. Marx will discuss the controversial issue of pediatric ACL injury including epidemiology, prevention strategies and treatment options. Surgical techniques for ACL surgery in children will be reviewed and pros and cons of different surgical methods will be discussed. Benefits and risks of ACL reconstruction in children will be explained.
Nutritional Issues in the Young Gymnast
Sotiria Tzakas, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., C.S.S.D., Clinical Inpatient Nutritionist and Staff Nutritionist, Women’s Sports Medicine Center, Hospital for Special Surgery
Tzakas will discuss how to recognize and resolve the nutritional issues of young gymnasts to ensure their good health and success in sports. “Young gymnasts have high calorie needs not only because of the rigor of their sport but also because their bodies are growing,” says Tzakas. “At the same time, their success depends upon maintaining a trim physique.” Undernourishment can lead to physical and psychological consequences such as lethargy, failure to reach peak bone growth and frequent stress fractures.
ACL Prevention in the Adolescent Athlete
Theresa Chiaia, P.T., Section Manager, Sports Rehabilitation and Performance Center, Rehabilitation Department, Hospital for Special Surgery
Female athletes age 15-18 who play soccer, basketball, volleyball and other sports involving pivots, jumps and quick changes of direction are most at risk for suffering ACL injuries. In this session, Chiaia will address best practices for the prevention of ACL injury. “Fatigue is a major contributor,” says Chiaia. “Coaches, trainers, athletes and parents have to realize that training 52 weeks a year is not healthy.”
For additional information on the program, please contact Hospital for Special Surgery’s Public Relations Department at (212) 606-1197.
WHEN: Saturday, February 27, 2010, 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
WHERE: 1300 York Avenue at 69th Street, Uris Auditorium, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York
If you are interested in attending the event or if you would like to talk with any of the presenters 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 spring sports season if you would like to interview members of the Hospital for Special Surgery Sports Medicine Service when you are writing and need background on sports-related injuries.
Tracy Hickenbottom
hickenbottomt@hss.edu
212-606-1197
212.606.1197
mediarelations@hss.edu