Baby boomers are racking up the sports injuries.
And if the pain occurs below the knee, Adam G. Miller, M.D., is ready to fix it.
Miller, an orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle trauma, sports injury and reconstruction. The practice includes 20 physicians, 25 physical therapists and 43 athletic trainers at seven sites in Ohio, Indiana and Northern Kentucky.
“We can cater to individuals and adjust to their needs a lot more easily, as opposed to the patient just being a cog in a wheel in one of the big networks,” Miller says.
Since the oldest of the boomers – born in 1946 – became eligible for Medicare in 2011, it’s not surprising that some parts are wearing out. And for a generation that is not inclined to equate aging with slowing down, that means healing those injuries can be challenging, Miller says. Resting the injured area is often key, even when surgery isn’t necessary, and competitors aren’t always willing to take a break from their sport long enough to let the injury heal.
“You really don’t want to try to play through the pain,” he says.
Since taking the time to heal is a problem, that makes prevention more important.
Warming up – both in terms of gradually increasing the heart rate and stretching – can help prevent injuries.
He recommends working with a specialist to find the right fit and the right type of sport-specific shoe to prevent injury.
There’s some debate over whether “stiffer” or “softer” shoes are better for preventing injuries. Softer shoes, in general, are more flexible and can provide comfort for many people. But for more experienced athletes who have already suffered foot or ankle injuries, a stiffer shoe – often created with special orthotics or inserts – can help prevent re-injury and alleviate pain.
Using ankle or knee braces can also help, but they should only be used while the injury is still healing. Using them all the time won’t let the affected area heal fully. “You don’t want to use it as a crutch,” Miller says.
The doctor spent his childhood in Cincinnati – his mother is a native of the Mount Healthy area – then moved away for a few years.
Beacon Orthopaedics has seven locations in Greater Cincinnati. You can reach them at 513.354.3700 or visit their website at www.beaconortho.com.