The anterior cruciate ligament, or the ACL is one of four major ligaments in the knee.  It is by far the most commonly torn ligament in the knee.  ACL tears in children are occurring at an alarming rate.  It is very important for parents, coaches, therapists and athletic trainers to understand that the decision making regarding surgical… Read More

  Safety Concerns for Exercising in Extreme Heat   The American Academy of Pediatrics has some recommendations  to keep your little athlete safe when exercising or practicing in extreme heat.  They are well worth a look see.   Among some of their recommendations: Providing risk-reduction training for coaches, trainers and other adults. Ensuring trained staff are… Read More

… do not ignore it.        Pediatric Shoulder and Elbow Pain….  Is your little athlete complaining of shoulder or elbow pain? Most children do not suffer from the same problems that adults do… tendonitis, etc. Their skeletons are growing and the “growth plates“ that enable growth are susceptible to injury — and some of those… Read More

I’ve spoken to horribly disabled old football players who told me they’d do it all again, whatever life’s sacrifice, just to have played the game. How many players have taken performance-enhancing drugs without any concern about the possible side effects? So many athletes will do almost anything to compete. But now, in an ironic twist, some… Read More

Overuse injuries in children are occuring with an alarming frequency.  While some overuse injuries simply require rest, some can be disabling and represent a “career” ending injury.  It’s a shame to have to tell a 12 year old they can not pitch again. Take it slow, don’t overdo it, obey those pitch counts, stretch, train… Read More

Your child falls…. perhaps  you didn’t witness it.  Now your 3, 4, or 5 year old  is limping around.  What to do? ice?  rest?  ace wrap? You witness a fall and now your tike doesn’t want to use their hand or arm.  Perhaps they’re crying…perhaps not.  What to do? Little tikes do not have any… Read More

For years I have been telling parents to minimize the amount of time their children spend pitching and instead concentrate on teaching the basics  and the finer points of being a team player. Baseball is a complex sport, and it takes years to master the nuances of the game. To a teenager, pitching presents itself… Read More

Even though parents and coaches are cautioned to not allow their kids pitch or throw too much, many children will be on the mound this spring throwing 100+ pitches every week. If you insist on taking this risk, or even if you just want your child in optimal shape for baseball season, make sure your… Read More