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Dr. Cole provides the latest information on sports medicine, injury prevention and treatment, fitness, and nutrition. In partnership with Sports Medicine Weekly, Dr. Cole’s blog is dedicated to helping the weekend warriors, the elite athletes, coaches, trainers, therapists and parents of youth athletes with the latest health information by renowned experts in their field.
Published on: 16-Mar-2019
Understanding Allograft Cartilage Transplants
Play Video Articular cartilage is a firm rubbery tissue that covers the ends of bones. It provides a smooth gliding surface for joints and acts as a cushion between bones.Cartilage can break down due to overuse or injury. This can … Continue reading
Published on: 15-Mar-2019
Strengthen Your Immune System with MCTs
There’s no way around it—germs surround us all the time. Singular medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil contains medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) that act as natural antibiotics, which means they boost your immune system and fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, and … Continue reading
Published on: 14-Mar-2019
What Your Heart Rate Means to Your Health
By Andrew Grahovec with Contributions by: Abbey Corcoran, PT, DPT for ATI Physical Therapy With every movement and minute of exercise your body goes through during the day, your heart doesn’t always beat with regularity. If healthy, your heart will adjust … Continue reading
Published on: 13-Mar-2019
Heart Health & Brain Health Go Hand-in-Hand
According to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease accounts for one of every four deaths in the United States. Many of the causes of heart disease are well-known, including hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes and obesity. Fortunately, there are … Continue reading
Published on: 12-Mar-2019
What To Know About Victor Oladipo’s Quad Injury
Indiana Pacers guard Victor Oladipo suffered a torn quadriceps tendon in his right knee and will miss the remainder of the NBA season, the team announced Thursday. Surgery will be required to repair the tendon. Dr. Adam Yanke, a sports medicine … Continue reading
Published on: 11-Mar-2019
Concussions in Cheerleaders: Symptoms and Treatment
By Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP for Athletico Physical Therapy Cheerleaders are commonly seen on the sidelines of school and professional sporting events, but the sport is no longer reserved for the sidelines. Cheerleaders have their own competitions where … Continue reading
Published on: 09-Mar-2019
Exercise for the Prevention and Treatment of Hypertension – Implications and Application
3 Key Points: Regular aerobic exercise results in reductions in blood pressure of 5-7 mmHg among individuals with hypertension and these reductions translate to a reduced risk of CVD of 20-30%. Emerging research suggests that dynamic resistance exercise may also serve as an … Continue reading
Published on: 25-Feb-2019
Shoulder Instability Surgery- Reliable Results For Most Athletes
By Dev Mishra, M.D., President, Sideline Sports Doc, Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University Key Points: Many young athletes with a shoulder dislocation from sports activity will choose to have shoulder stabilization surgery Modern arthroscopic surgery techniques generally … Continue reading
Published on: 23-Feb-2019
Benefits of allograft tissue transplants outweigh risks
Patients need not be afraid of receiving musculoskeletal allograft tissue transplants, but doctors have a responsibility to seek grafts from tissue banks that follow best known practices, such as those accredited by the American Association of Tissue Banks (AATB), said … Continue reading
Published on: 22-Feb-2019
By Karen Malkin Health Counseling A study released by the scientific journal PLOS One proves that sugar intake directly correlates to higher rates of diabetes. The study was conducted by four researchers, including Dr. Robert Lustig, presenter of the 2009 … Continue reading
Published on: 21-Feb-2019
Meniscal Transplant in Patients 50 and Younger Relieves Pain, Delays Additional Surgery
By JRF Ortho Most patients younger than age 50 with a torn or severely damaged meniscus experienced reduced pain and improved knee function following transplant surgery, according to a study in the latest issue of the Journal of Bone and … Continue reading
Published on: 20-Feb-2019
Five Lesser-Known Mental Health Values of Exercise
By Briana Jamshidi, Rehab Technician for ATI Physical Therapy It has become common knowledge that exercise is good for the body. Regular exercise can aid in weight loss and help strengthen our muscles and bones, but sometimes that isn’t enough to … Continue reading
Published on: 19-Feb-2019
Lifelong Athlete Back to Full Speed After Shoulder Surgery
Hinsdale resident John Blacketor rigorously maintained the lifestyle of an athlete after graduating from college, playing hockey, tennis, golf and football; running; lifting; skiing; and more. He wasn’t interested in slowing down. “I played hockey throughout high school and continued … Continue reading
Published on: 18-Feb-2019
3 Essential Exercises for Shoulder Stability
Brian Whittington, PT, DPT, CMTPT for Athletico Physical Therapy The shoulder is a complex joint that consists of a “ball” on one side and a “socket” on the other. Due to this construction, the shoulder is classified as “ball-and-socket” joint. … Continue reading
Published on: 15-Feb-2019
Unconventional Meditation | A Mindful Experience
I am an avid hiker. I don’t travel long distances to hike, the Sandia Mountains are located on the east side of Albuquerque and I can enjoy myriad trails year round. I know, many places don’t have mountains to hike … Continue reading
Published on: 13-Feb-2019
About Knee Anatomy To understand the knee joint, we first need to understand the bones of the leg that form the joint. Three bones make up the knee joint – the femur, the tibia and the patella. The femur (thigh … Continue reading
Published on: 10-Feb-2019
ACL Reconstruction Is Getting Better All The Time
By Dev Mishra, M.D., President, Sideline Sports Doc, Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University Key Points: ACL surgery has improved substantially over the last 25 years, with stability rates improving from about 80% to about 95% Patients’ … Continue reading
Published on: 08-Feb-2019
Snow Skiing as a Natural Anti-Aging Remedy
By Brian Rog with Contributions by Peter Braun MS, LAT, ATC, ITAT The effects of time on one’s body are unavoidable and often substantial. Many of us in the field of medicine are in an endless search to find the perfect sport, activity … Continue reading
Published on: 07-Feb-2019
Ten Things You Need to Know About Sports Nutrition
Dan Benardot, PhD, DHC, RD, LD, FACSM Look Beyond Weight When Determining Health It’s not your weight that matters, it’s what constitutes your weight. Find a way to learn if you have too little muscle or too much fat and find … Continue reading
Published on: 06-Feb-2019
How Does Exercise Actually Make You Better?
By Dev Mishra, M.D., President, Sideline Sports Doc, Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University Key Points: A recently published scientific study shows that blood protein markers fall into specific patterns, and some patterns are associated with regular aerobic … Continue reading
Published on: 05-Feb-2019
JRF Ortho to Reach More Patients in Need of Fresh, “Living” Cartilage
OneLegacy, the nation’s largest organ, eye and tissue procurement organization, has expanded its reach of helping more people lead healthier lives through its new commitment to provide fresh, “living” cartilage to the nonprofit JRF Ortho. This cartilage, which can be … Continue reading
Published on: 04-Feb-2019
By Karen Malkin Health Counseling Just as the seasons change, your body’s needs change with the seasons. Your immune system demands more during this time of year, and eating in tandem with what Mother Nature naturally provides can keep you feeling in … Continue reading
Published on: 01-Feb-2019
Keeping Active in the New Year
By: Briana Jamshidi, Rehab Technician for ATI Physical Therapy After a long week of work, countless errands and running around, the weekends may be your opportunity for leisure to do nothing but sit around all day. While there’s nothing wrong … Continue reading
Published on: 29-Jan-2019
Tips to Avoid Snow-Related Injuries
By Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush The simple act of shoveling can cause serious injury if you aren’t careful. In fact, an estimated 11,500 people visit the ER each year due to snow shoveling alone. If you are fit, you are … Continue reading
Published on: 28-Jan-2019
Plantar Fasciitis: How Physical Therapy Can Help
By Sarah Ryerson, PT, ATC, CSCS for Athletico Physical Therapy Plantar fasciitis is one of the most common causes of heel pain. This condition impacts the plantar fascia, which is a thick band of fibrous connective tissue on the bottom … Continue reading
Published on: 18-Jan-2019
DEVELOPING THE YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETE
In 2011, Naomi Kutin broke a world powerlifting record, squatting 215 lbs. She was in the 97 lbs weight clas…and was just nine years old. She broke a record previously held by a 44 year old German woman. Since then, … Continue reading
Published on: 16-Jan-2019
Innovations That Will Drive Sports Medicine In 2019
By Dev Mishra, M.D., President, Sideline Sports Doc, Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopedic Surgery, Stanford University Key Points: I see three innovations that are currently in use making huge advances in 2019. They are: Increasing use of biologics in sports … Continue reading
Published on: 15-Jan-2019
Tips to Get a Good Night’s Sleep
By Karen Malkin Health Counseling In an ideal world, you’d simply drop off into a peaceful slumber every night, however, sleep—or a lack of good sleep—can often cause you to feel bad emotionally and physically. In fact, research shows that … Continue reading
Published on: 10-Jan-2019
Boy (12) becomes first in Ireland to have pioneering hip procedure
A 12-year-old boy has become the first person in Ireland to undergo a new transplant procedure to replace a damaged hip joint using a donor femoral head bone and cartilage. The OFHAT procedure involves replacing the bone and cartilage surface on the … Continue reading
Published on: 10-Jan-2019
MCL Injury Basics with ATI’s Hockey Injury Expert
By Brian Rog with Contributions by: Andrew Grahovec and Katie Christopherson, ATC for ATI Physical Therapy. To compete at the professional level in any sport requires the most athletic, highly skilled and mentally acute individuals in the world. With constant training, practice and exhibitions … Continue reading
Published on: 09-Jan-2019
Injuries Impacting Professional Dancers
Injury-Prevention Tips from Joffrey Dancers Help Recreational Athletes Professional dancers, like professional athletes, are subject to injury because of the constant stress they put on their bodies. And while these dancers and athletes have dedicated medical teams to attend to … Continue reading
Published on: 09-Jan-2019
By Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP for Athletico Physical Therapy Winter is here! As the weather turns cold, snowy and icy, it makes outdoor workouts seem impossible. Cold weather does not mean all outdoor workouts must cease, but there … Continue reading
Published on: 06-Jan-2019
A Season of Football Head Impacts Does Not Affect Balance
There is considerable public concern about the effects of repetitive football head impacts on a player’s brain health. Many studies suggest a link between head impacts and poorer health. Safe and efficient walking and balance are critical for activities of daily … Continue reading
Published on: 06-Jan-2019
Knee injuries in adolescent females, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture, are increasing in frequency. One of the suspected causes is poor landing technique characterized by ‘knock-knee’ posture. Pubertal development is associated with rapid growth of the long bones and … Continue reading
Published on: 05-Jan-2019
The Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans recommend at least 150 to 300 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous activity per week, yet little guidance is given as to how best achieve this amount of weekly activity. Do those who participate in activity most days … Continue reading
Published on: 05-Jan-2019
Are Minimalist Shoes Effective for Strengthening Foot Muscles in Runners?
As the main point of contact with the ground, the foot plays a vital role in how humans move. The complex structure of the foot includes 26 bones, more than 20 muscles, many ligaments and various types of soft tissue. … Continue reading
Published on: 03-Jan-2019
Your body is made mostly of water. The things your body does work better with the stuff, and when it doesn’t get enough of it, it suffers. Something as simple as drinking a glass of water can be easy to … Continue reading
Published on: 02-Jan-2019
ROBERT L. LAVIN KESHET BUDDY BASKETBALL ALL-STAR GAME
Wednesday, January 9, 2019 8:00pm Game Time Welsh Ryan Arena 2705 Ashland Ave, Evanston You’re invited to come cheer on our players and buddies at the Robert L. Lavin Keshet Buddy Basketball All-Star Game taking place at halftime of the … Continue reading
Published on: 02-Jan-2019
How Much Protein for an Active Lifestyle?
If you walk more than 3 miles per day, you lead an active lifestyle. When you lead an active lifestyle, you need more protein than inactive women–but you may not need as much as you think. According to the Academy … Continue reading
Published on: 01-Jan-2019
Doctors’ orders: watch what you’re eating when
From salmon burgers for breakfast to spinach for a headache, these M.D.’s say eating the right foods at the right times is the key to health. Michael Roizen, M.D., is chief wellness officer at the Cleveland Clinic and a New York … Continue reading
Published on: 31-Dec-2018
Amino Acids vs. Protein Powder
Protein powders and amino acid supplements deliver different results. Protein powders boost your total protein and contribute calories, so they support muscle building and can fill in gaps in your diet. Amino acids target very specific and diverse areas of … Continue reading
Published on: 29-Dec-2018
Utilize Technology to Keep You Hydrated While Working Out
New research suggests that it may be harder to determine your hydration levels than originally thought. When allowed to drink freely (no drinking schedule), nearly 40% of collegiate athletes finished their workouts in a dehydrated state. Luckily, with the rise of … Continue reading
Published on: 28-Dec-2018
5 Ways to Stay Healthy During the Holidays
The holiday season can be challenging when it comes to holding onto the healthy lifestyle habits you’ve worked so hard to cultivate throughout the year. But it doesn’t have to be that way! There are small things you can do each day through the holidays and … Continue reading
Published on: 18-Dec-2018
Cycling 1,200 Miles After Two Hip Replacements
When recently asked how he’s doing, Park Ridge resident Craig Petersen, 57, answered, “slightly more than fantastic!” Asked what elicits such a positive response, Petersen pointed to his rally back to competitive sports after significant hip pain and two total … Continue reading
Published on: 17-Dec-2018
Developing Your Mental Game: Your Next Season Starts Now
For most athletes, the year coming to a close has no real significance if they are truly in the mindset of constantly improving their game. It’s no secret that training is an essential part of success, which includes physical activities … Continue reading
Published on: 16-Dec-2018
Ten Things You Need to Know About Sports Nutrition
Look Beyond Weight When Determining Health It’s not your weight that matters, it’s what constitutes your weight. Find a way to learn if you have too little muscle or too much fat and find a strategy (exercise and eating well) that … Continue reading
Published on: 10-Dec-2018
Wearable Tech is New Top Fitness Trend for 2019
Annual industry survey predicts what you’ll see in fitness next year Won’t leave home without your smart watch, fitness tracker or GPS tracking device? If so, you’re not alone. More consumers and health and fitness professionals are using technology to … Continue reading
Published on: 08-Dec-2018
Nutritional psychiatry: Your brain on food
Think about it. Your brain is always “on.” It takes care of your thoughts and movements, your breathing and heartbeat, your senses — it works hard 24/7, even while you’re asleep. This means your brain requires a constant supply of … Continue reading
Published on: 07-Dec-2018
Common Wrestling Injuries and Treatment Options
By Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP for Athletico Physical Therapy Wrestling is one of the world’s oldest sports. Since wrestling season is getting underway, let’s take a quick moment to look at some common injuries that can impact wrestlers: … Continue reading
Published on: 04-Dec-2018
8 Ways Walking Changes Your Brain For The Better, According To Science
Despite what some people think, you don’t need a fancy gym membership to get the health benefits of working out. Walking is something you probably do on a daily basis without a second thought — whether while completing chores around … Continue reading
Published on: 01-Dec-2018
Is yoga sufficient strength exercise for optimal health, or do I have to lift weights in a fitness center? In general, the few available experiments involving yoga suggest that it leads to measurable but limited and patchy strength gains. Consider … Continue reading
Published on: 27-Nov-2018
TIMING STRATEGY FOR BCAA SUPPLEMENTATION
Many active adults sip a BCAA powder mixed into water during their workout. Depending on your reason for using this popular supplement, a study published in The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness has an interesting suggestion for BCAA timing. Fifteen … Continue reading
Published on: 20-Nov-2018
A Yale football player quits to save his brain
Andrew Grinde was not just another football player. As a running back at C.M. Russell High School in Great Falls, Mont., he rushed for 2,180 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2014, leading the Rustlers to the state title game, and … Continue reading
Published on: 19-Nov-2018
Former College Athlete Gives Unique Perspective on Knee Cartilage Injury
It was a typical winter afternoon in southern California playing with his son at the park. He stepped in a small hole, not unlike a hundred times before in the past without incident, so he brushed it off as just a temporary tweak or mild sprain. He then did a quick jog to … Continue reading
Published on: 13-Nov-2018
Going For Gold After Hip Replacement
Running isn’t just a hobby for Burr Ridge, IL resident Dana Potts—it’s an Olympic sport. Participating in the 100m, 200m, and 400m races in the U.S. Men’s Illinois Senior Olympics, Potts set a record in the 400m event and earned … Continue reading
Published on: 12-Nov-2018
Nutrition Tips for the Teenage Athlete
By Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP for Athletico Physical Therapy During the school year it is common for teenage athletes to find their schedules jammed packed with class, homework, practice and competition. When students are this busy, eating can … Continue reading
Published on: 10-Nov-2018
From Recovery to Max Reps: Diets for Different Fitness Goals
Everyone has a fitness goal, whether it is to recover from an injury, bulk up, lose weight, prevent injury, or prepare for a big game or tournament. Along with this variation of goals is a variance of not only training … Continue reading
Published on: 02-Nov-2018
I Have “Rheumatoid Arthritis,” Announces Tennis Star Caroline Wozniacki
Professional tennis star Caroline Wozniacki has always prided herself as being one of the most fit athletes on the WTA tour. “I think that’s something I definitely win quite a few matches on,” she has said. Earlier this year, Wozniacki … Continue reading
Published on: 29-Oct-2018
Bipolar Osteochondral Allograft Transplantation of the Patella and Trochlea
Purpose: To evaluate the outcomes of bipolar osteochondral allograft (OCA) transplantation in the patellofemoral joint. Summary: Limited studies are available pertaining to OCA transplantation in the patellofemoral joint, especially on bipolar OCAs to both the patella and trochlea Follow-up was obtained … Continue reading
Published on: 28-Oct-2018
An Athletic Trainer’s Role in Helping Prevent, Assess and Care for a Concussed Athlete
By ATI Physical Therapy The role a certified athletic trainer (ATC) plays in preventing, assessing and caring for a concussed athlete is critical to an athlete’s return to play and overall health. The ATC is often the first line of defense in … Continue reading
Published on: 25-Oct-2018
ViPerform: REVOLUTIONARY WEARABLE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
ViPerform™ PROVIDES OBJECTIVE DATA TO ACCURATELY ASSESS RISK OF SPORT INJURY, GUIDE ATHLETIC TRAINING AND RECOVERY PROGRAMS, AND HELP DETERMINE WHEN IT’S SAFE FOR ATHLETES TO RETURN TO PLAY ViPerform™ is a wearable and wireless movement sensor technology that tracks … Continue reading
Published on: 24-Oct-2018
Division I Track Athlete Undergoes Cartilage Regrowth Treatment
Youngstown State University track team member Jasmine Smyles has been told many times that she has the perfect last name. Lately, this has proven true. On a recent visit to see Dr. Brian Cole at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush in Chicago, she was all … Continue reading
Published on: 23-Oct-2018
The Emotional Impact of Injuries
By Tara Hackney, PT, DPT, OCS, KTTP for Athletico Physical Therapy As much as we would like to prevent injuries, they do occur. In an ideal world, an injury would not disrupt our regular activities or participation in sport. But … Continue reading
Published on: 16-Oct-2018
How Exercise Might “Clean” the Alzheimer’s Brain
For the 50 million individuals worldwide ailing from Alzheimer’s disease, the announcements by pharmaceutical giants earlier this year that they will end research on therapeutics were devastating. The news is even more devastating considering projections that 100 million more people will be … Continue reading
Published on: 11-Oct-2018
The National Parkinsons Foundation Moving Day Walk
Dr. Gregory Nicholson – from Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush- and Steve Kashul talk with Erica Hornthal, MA, LCPC, BC-DMT, about the power of dance therapy for Parkinson’s Patients and the October National Parkinson’s Foundation Moving Day Walk. Why move for Moving … Continue reading
Published on: 10-Oct-2018
Dealing with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
By Jess Walter Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are common in sports such as football, basketball, netball, and alpine skiing. They have a big impact on athletic performance, because approximately 79% of people go on to develop knee osteoarthritis after … Continue reading
Published on: 05-Oct-2018
Addiction Can Happen to Anyone—Including Athletes
Dr. Nikhil Verma and Steve Kashul talk with Gary Mendell, Founder and CEO of Shatterproof about assisting athletes with opiod addiction; the opiod epidemic and its affect on sports; the importance of eliminating the stigma around athletes seeking help for addiction. … Continue reading
Published on: 03-Oct-2018
Marijuana Use Could Be Worse for Cognitive Development in Adolescents Than Alcohol
It has been well established that the use of alcohol during adolescence can have a significant impact on cognitive functions into adulthood. However, due to drug classification and stringent regulations by governmental agencies, information about the long-term effects of marijuana … Continue reading
Published on: 02-Oct-2018
The Ride of a Lifetime – Overcoming a PCL Tear
By Andrew Grahovec for ATI Physical Therapy The road to recovery is never without its own slew of setbacks and can often times be afflicted with challenges tougher than the ones that put us there. For Janesville, Wisc., native Evan Webster, his … Continue reading
Published on: 01-Oct-2018
Knee Cartilage Transplant Video Performed by Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Brian Cole
After a string of serious knee injuries, Mark, a 19-year-old college football player, faces an uncertain future playing the game he loves. In addition to the emotional toll the injuries have taken, Mark also endures unbearable knee pain. To repair … Continue reading
Published on: 28-Sep-2018
Four Questions to Ask For a Sports Related Injury
If you have a sports injury, it’s a good idea to see a sports medicine specialist. Here are key questions to ask before you decide where to be treated. Q: Do I need a sport medicine specialist? A: “A sports … Continue reading
Published on: 27-Sep-2018
Minimizing the Risk of ACL Injuries in Athletes
By Leython Williams, PT, DPT for Athletico Physical Therapy One of the most feared injuries in all of sports is injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), yet this continues to be among the most common injuries in active individuals. … Continue reading
Published on: 25-Sep-2018
Using The SAFE Method™ to address Youth Sports Injuries
Dr. Brian Cole and Steve Kashul talk with Dr. Dev Mishra about the origin of Sideline Sports Doc, who is using the service and the value of a coach certification program. Dr. Mishra founded Sideline Sports Doc in 2010. The idea … Continue reading
Published on: 22-Sep-2018
Youth Pitching Study: The Effect of a Strengthening Program
WHAT IS THE STUDY? This study is examining the effect of a 6-week hip and core strengthening program on shoulder and elbow motion during pitching. Participants are 13-18 years old who pitch in at least one game per week on … Continue reading
Published on: 21-Sep-2018
Chicago’s Greatest Sports Event of the Year
The 3rd Annual Chicago Sports Summit is a half-day event featuring heavy hitters in sports. Female Olympic athletes will speak about breaking barriers and the #MeToo movement; general managers of Chicago’s pro teams will discuss secrets to navigating up and … Continue reading
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