Not all chronic hip pain is due to arthritis. Hip impingement can cause significant pain during sports activity as well as daily routines including getting dressed, climbing stairs, and even sitting comfortably in a chair. Hip impingement tends to occur in active young adults, and especially athletes. It’s a painful and often unrecognized condition involving a tear in the hip labrum.

Now the damage can be repaired and the bone re-contoured using a procedure known as using hip arthroscopy. With two small incisions and a small camera, the surgeon can clearly visualize the hip ball and socket, see exactly where the impingement is, and repair the problem. Because it’s minimally invasive surgery, there’s significantly less pain, minimal scarring and a shorter recover time than with open surgery.

ONS Orthopedic surgeon Tim Greene, MD is Fellowship-trained in sports medicine and hip arthroscopy.

DePuy Orthopaedics, Inc., announced a recall of the ASR™ XL Acetabular System and DePuy ASR™ Hip Resurfacing System used in hip replacement surgery due to the number of patients who required a second hip replacement procedure.

ONS physicians have never used this device in their hip replacement procedures and none of our patients should have concerns about this recall.

Dr. Scott Simon will speak at the Sports Concussion Seminar at OGRCC on September 14.

Sports Concussion: Know the Facts! a free sports injury prevention seminar for middle and high school-age kids will take place on Tuesday, September 14 at 7 p.m. at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center in Old Greenwich.  The program, which is presented by the ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education and the OGRCC, is open to students, parents, coaches and trainers.  Neurosurgeon Dr. Scott Simon and Greenwich High School athletic trainer and concussion management coordinator/ImPACT test supervisor Peter Falla will discuss the latest concussion management strategies and the ImPACT Test. The seminar is free of charge. Refreshments will be served.  Registration is required. Call (203) 637-3659 or email ogrcc.execasst@yahoo.com to register.

The ONS Foundation wants to raise awareness about the risk of concussion and help educate athletes and their parents about concussion signs and symptoms. “Concussions are the hot topic in the NFL and on high school and college campuses across the country,” says Dr. Simon. “Concussion is the most common type of brain injury sustained in sports and most concussions do NOT involve a loss of consciousness. Many people don’t realize that you can sustain a concussion even if you don’t hit your head. Multiple concussions can have cumulative and long-lasting life consequences.” Read the rest of this entry »

Friday’s Greenwich Post featured a story about Dr. Katie Vadasdi, orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist.  Don’t miss this article, titled, A women surgeon takes on a male-dominated specialty, which offers an interesting look at an impressive young surgeon.

This fall, orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons and sports medicine specialists of the ONS Foundation for Clinical Research and Education will present six free lectures on topics including sports concussion, preventing running injuries, osteoporosis prevention and treatment, arthritis and ski injury prevention. The seminars, which are conducted by a combination of experts including physicians and physical therapists, are part of the Foundation’s education initiative which sponsors programs for adults and youths throughout the year. The seminars will be held at the offices of ONS at 6 Greenwich Office Park on Valley Drive, at the OGRCC at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center, and at the Noble Conference Center at Greenwich Hospital. The programs are free of charge, however registration is requested. For complete details on all the seminars, visit www.ons-foundation.org.

The first seminar, Sports Concussion: Know the Facts! takes place Tuesday, September 14 at the OGRCC in Old Greenwich. Speakers Neurosurgeon Scott Simon, MD and Pete Falla, ATC will talk about concussion management strategies for high school athletes and the ImPACT Test.

CONCERNS ABOUT CONCUSSIONS and the brain health of contact-sports athletes are being raised on high school and college campuses across the country.  This seminar is designed to help educate youth athletes and adults about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of concussion. Participants will learn what you should know about concussion, the latest guidelines for concussion management, and about the ImPACT testing program.

Refreshments will be served. The seminar is free. Registration is required. Call (203) 637-3659 or email ogrcc.execasst@yahoo.com to register.

Sports Concussion Seminar Flyer

The ONS Cast-offs

The ONS Women’s Softball Team has made it to the second round in the 2010 playoffs of the Greenwich Summer Women’s Softball League, Level III. It’s been almost a decade since ONS has sponsored a team in the league. The inspiration to start up another team came from ONS employees Jill Kaufman and Elaine Lovallo, who brought in an experienced coaching staff made up of Head Coach Joseph T. Campbell, Pitching Coach Nick Mona, and Batting Coach Mary Ellen Gerosa.

“With a team made up of mostly first-year players and a few veterans mixed in, the team has worked hard all season and has really come together as a unit,” said Coach Campbell. “The players and coaching staff have worked very hard, so hopefully next season the team can have an outstanding season.”

The team has provided a valuable bonding opportunity for the players who are mostly ONS employees. They anticipate another successful round in the playoffs to qualify them for the level three championship game.

ONS Cast-offs

HEATHER ANDREOLI

THERESA ANGARITA

AILEEN AQUINO

STEPHANIE BASSO

KERRY BOBICK

FLO DELLORFANO

NADEEN JOHNSON

JILL KAUFMAN

LAURA LIEBESMAN

LORI LOVALLO

EMELYN MOJICA

KRISTINE MONA

TRACEY NUNEZ

PAT PEDERSEN

AMBAR PICON

WENDY POWERS

SHAKIA ROBERSON

GLENDA STELLA

JENNIFER TRINIDAD

Coaches

JOSEPH T. CAMPBELL

MARY ELLEN GEROSA

NICK MONA

ELAINE LOVALLO

Dr. Gloria Cohen along with Dr. William Levine (on right) were presented with the Columbia University "Varsity C" Behind the Scenes Award

At Columbia University’s 89th Annual “Varsity C” Celebration on Tuesday, May 4 in Levien Gymnasium, ONS Primary Care Sports Medicine Specialist Dr. Gloria Cohen and Dr. William Levine (on the right) received the “Behind the Scenes” award, which was presented by Head Trainer Jim Gossett.

The event features a video of athletics highlights of the past year and the awarding of the athletics department’s highest honors for undergraduates: The Eisenhower and Marion R. Philips Watches, and The Connie S. Maniatty Awards.

Sports Medicine Specialist advises conditioning, moderation and a focus on core strength

ACCORDING TO TIM GREENE, MD, SPORTS MEDICINE SPECIALIST AT ONS (Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists), most athletic injuries are not the result of accidents but are due to inadequate preparation for a sports activity, overuse of joints or muscles and missing the early warning signs of injury. “Most sports injuries are preventable,” he says.  “Many sports-related injuries can be traced to a lack of core body strength– which is the strength of the muscles of the torso that keep your stomach strong and support your back. Think of the body as a tree that has strong branches but a weak trunk. That imbalance of strength can cause strain, cracking and even collapse the trunk.  If your core is not strong and you engage in a running or jumping activity, you’re risk for injury is increased.” Dr. Greene recommends varying your activities so your body doesn’t become unevenly strengthened and conditioned. “Incorporating programs like yoga, Pilates, and strength training can be very effective for developing the body core and reducing the risk for injury.”

“Many people are more active in the summer than during the rest of the year,” says Dr. Greene.  “When returning to a sports activity after taking time off, moderation is the key to avoiding injury.  Your body is conditioned to do what it does most, so if you work seated in an office and take regular walks on weekends, the muscles you use in those activities are most conditioned.  Whether you play tennis, golf, go bicycling or running, when you first return to a sport that you haven’t done for some time, you need to retrain those unconditioned muscles.  Sports-specific muscle groups have to become stronger in order to support the balance and flexibility that are required for that activity. By gradually working into a new activity, you condition your muscles without damaging them and your body will adjust to the new demands.”

Injury may also occur when people think they can “push through pain”. But pain may be a symptom of inflammation in the muscle, bone or even a hairline fracture.  If you experience pain, it is safest to consult your physician or a sports medicine specialist to make sure you’re not over stressing a muscle or bone, which could develop into a more serious injury like a muscle tear or bone fracture. “If you listen to your body, don’t ignore early warning signs of overuse and develop your core strength, you’ll have a great summer of outdoor exercise and fun,” says Dr. Greene.

Tips for Preventing Injuries

• Listen to your body and know your risks.
• Warm-up and stretch at the start of every workout or sports activity.
• Women should be sure they are getting adequate calcium in their diet.
• Wear appropriate footgear and don’t wear worn out running or tennis shoes. Find a store where knowledgeable salespeople can advise you on appropriate footgear designed for women.
• If you feel persistent pain in your muscles or joints, stop exercising and have the pain evaluated.
• When beginning a new sport or fitness program, start slowly and build up over time.
• Avoid sudden changes in intensity or type of exercise.
• Vary your fitness routine.

On Wednesday evening, June 15, Danielle Kerendian was presented with the ONS (Orthopaedic and Neurosurgery Specialists) Scholarship during the 38^nd Greenwich Scholarship Association (GSA) awards ceremony. Danielle, a 17 year-old graduating senior of Greenwich High School, will attend New York University in the fall. Dr. Steven Hindman of ONS presented the award, which will be applied toward her college tuition.

This year, the Greenwich Scholarship Association awarded more than a half-million dollars to 119 high school seniors. A total of $517,300 was distributed, which came from $352,300 donated by local sponsors and $165,000 from GSA endowments.

Founded in 1978, the Greenwich Scholarship Association provides need-based college scholarships for graduating seniors living in Greenwich, Connecticut or attending Greenwich public, private or parochial schools.  The mission of the all-volunteer organization is to match students in need with companies offering scholarships in order to further the educational opportunities of Greenwich students.

Abilis, formerly known as ARC, recognized outstanding achievement by student mentors, two employees in the community who are supported by Abilis, a community employer, health-services professionals and a community partner during the nonprofit organization’s recent annual meeting at the Eastern Greenwich Civic Center.

The physicians of ONS were recognized with Abilis’ award for Outstanding Health-Services Professionals of the Year. Dr. Frank Ennis received the award on behalf of the practice for the many times ONS physicians have partnered with Abilis in the care and treatment of their disabled population.

Founded in 1951, Abilis provides services to people of all ages in the Greenwich-Stamford area with autism, Down syndrome and other developmental disabilities.