Henry Ford Hospital Opens Sports Concussion Clinic
April 19, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI – Henry Ford Hospital has launched a weekly sports concussion clinic for student athletes who have recently experienced a concussion.
The Henry Ford Sports Concussion Clinic team includes a primary care sports medicine specialist, a neuropsychologist and a certified athletic trainer, who together determine the proper treatment plan for young athletes who have a concussion from a sports-related spine or brain injury.
“The specialized clinic is designed specifically for athletes who may have gotten a concussion while playing sports, regardless of their level of competition,” says Kenneth Podell, Ph.D., director, Division of Neuropsychology, and co-director of the clinic.
“Our goal is to return these athletes to competition as quickly and safely as possible,” adds Dr. Podell, consulting neuropsychologist to The Detroit Lions, Red Wings and Tigers and for Major League Baseball.
Concussions can be caused by a fall, a bump or blow to the head or body during contact sports and can happen even if the athlete does not lose consciousness. Nearly 3.8 million sports- and recreational-related concussions occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The team approach allows the athlete to be evaluated and receive an individual treatment plan all in one convenient visit. The team utilizes computer technology to make a precise diagnosis of concussions, which in turn leads to better treatment plans for athletes and safe return to their sport.
The technology allows physicians to analyze the patient’s memory, reaction time, symptoms and other crucial brain functions in order to determine how the brain has been affected by concussion.
“A treatment plan is then created that lays out a step-by-step approach to that ultimate goal of having the athlete safely return to play,” says Brett Martin, D.O., primary care sports medicine specialist and co-director of the clinic. “Returning to play too early can put the athlete at high risk for long-term problems should a secondary injury occur.”
Treatment plans may include neurological consultation, neuro-imaging, physical therapy and/or medications, including a customized home program of exercises or stretches as well as follow-up or return-to-play instructions.
The Henry Ford Sports Concussion Clinic will be held from 3 – 5 p.m. every Tuesday, beginning April 27, at the William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, 6526 Second Avenue in Detroit.
To make an appointment for the comprehensive clinic or an appointment with an individual physician on another day, time or location, call (313) 972-4216.
Henry Ford’s GolFitness Program Offers Pre-Season Strength Training
January 21, 2010 by Contributor
Filed under Healthy Happenings
Detroit, MI – Golfers can get ready for a great season with a GolFitness group pre-season training session, sponsored by Henry Ford Hospital’s Center for Athletic Medicine.
Stretching routines designed specifically for golfers are known to have positively impacted the games of many professionals and can play a major role in helping GolFitness participants achieve consistent results on the course.
Henry Ford’s team of sports medicine professionals will perform a brief biomechanical assessment of each golfer’s swing and provide a customized program to help increase strength and flexibility.
Through GolFitness, participants learn pre-game warm-up, core strengthening and home flexibility exercises to help develop an effective swing.
Spring 2010 sessions will be held from 7 – 8:30 p.m. at five Henry Ford locations including:
• Feb. 10: Wyandotte Rehabilitation Orthopedic Center, 3rd floor, 3200 Biddle Ave., Wyandotte
• Feb. 24: Henry Ford’s Columbus Center Athletic Medicine & Physical Therapy, 39450 12 Mile Rd, Novi
• March 10: Henry Ford Cottage Hospital Athletic Medicine & Physical Therapy, 159 Kercheval Ave., Grosse Pointe
• March 24: Lowell Park Athletic Medicine & Physical Therapy, 44800 Delco Boulevard, Sterling Heights
• April 7: William Clay Ford Center for Athletic Medicine, P.T., 6525 Second Ave., Detroit
Each participant will receive a GolFitness exercise booklet. Sessions cost $40. Call (313) 972-4167 to register.
