Golf, tennis, soccer, basketball, softball …. No, we’re not talking about your grandchildren’s sports schedules! In 2009 there are more active older Americans than ever before! This population regularly participates in sports, and as a result, is more concerned with staying healthy and fit in order to continue with their active lifestyles. Many times, however, people find themselves out-of-shape when they start a physical activity, which can make them more prone to injuries.

At Catholic Health’s Partners In Rehab & AthletiCare rehabilitation services, common injuries or conditions suffered by adults in the WNY community include meniscus injuries, knee ligament injuries, shoulder/rotator cuff strains, arthritis, and general muscle overuse injuries associated with sports. It is important to consult with a physical therapist before surgery to look at other alternatives for healing.

When surgery is required, physical therapists are able to assist in your rehabilitation. For those who are injury free, our “Wellness” and “Performance Enhancement” programs will assist you in improving your agility, endurance and flexibility, while also reducing the probability of future injuries through strength and conditioning exercises.

Due to the aging process, muscles and ligaments often lose their flexibility. This makes older adults more prone to injury and the recovery process can be slower. Collagen, one of the prime building blocks of muscles, ligaments and tendons, also loses its viscosity and can affect movement over time. Think of engine oil that’s very clear when it’s new and over time, as it ages, it becomes heavy, thick and tacky. Through rehabilitation and regular exercise it is possible to maintain and enhance the viscosity of your muscles and joints. By being pro-active in using strength and conditioning exercises, Partners In Rehab & AthletiCare can help you avoid down time from your favorite activities!

What will you find at our clinics?

At Partners In Rehab & AthletiCare you’ll find a rehabilitation program geared to returning you to your sport or activity quickly and safely. “It’s important to build a confident relationship with your therapist,” said Christina Sage, vice president of Rehabilitation Services for Catholic Health. “Our low patient to therapist ratio gives our therapists the time they need to give each patient personal attention, as well as provide valuable education to better understand their injury or condition, support the recovery process, and minimize the chance for a recurrence.”

Patients, young and old, benefit from the expertise Partners In Rehab & AthletiCare have to offer. “At AthletiCare at the Mercy Ambulatory Care Center (MACC) in Orchard Park, an eighty-four-year-old gentleman recently came to us for rehabilitation following a total knee replacement,” said Richard Szabala, PT, OCS. “Like many of our patients, who are active and fit, his goal was to return to his favorite sport of softball!”

The MACC facility offers a specially designed, temperature-controlled pool with an underwater treadmill to provide a resistance-free environment for patients recovering from orthopedic, neurological and other musculoskeletal impairments. “Aquatic therapy allows for a quicker return to vigorous exercise due to a decreased stress on joints,” Szabala added.

For more information on how Partners In Rehab & AthletiCare can help you, please call (716) 706-2382 or visit us online at www.chsbuffalo.org/rehab.

Tips
for Staying
Healthy & Active:

• Maintain a consistent level of activity on a regular basis to keep your muscles and bones healthy.
• Allow Time for a Proper Warm Up: a 5 – 8 minute warm-up will raise body temperature and increase blood flow to your muscles.
• Dress appropriately: wear light colored, loose fitting clothing.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink 32 oz. of non-alcoholic, non-carbonated, low-sugar beverage prior to the activity.
• Keep Energy Stores Up: Drink 15 – 20 oz. every 15 – 30 minutes during the activity. Replenish after with another 32 – 34 oz.

In Case of
Sprain
The American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine (AOSSM) says that ankle sprains are the most common injuries in the United States each year. Should you suffer an ankle sprain, use the RICE principle:
• Rest: avoid use of the injured joint as much as possible for the first 24 hours.
• Ice: Frozen vegetables (peas, corn) make good cold packs, as well as a Zip-lock bag with windshield washer fluid in it; or commercial cold packs.
• Compression: apply an ace wrap, spiraled from below the injury toward the heart.
• Elevation: putting the injured limb above the heart so gravity can assist in pulling blood away from the injury.

ATHLETICARE
1495 Military Road
Kenmore, NY 14217
Ph: 447-6037

ATHLETICARE
Mercy Ambulatory Care Center
3669 Southwestern Blvd.
Orchard Park, NY 14127
Ph: 828-2455

PARTNERS IN REHAB
Mercy Diagnostic Center
94 Olean Street
East Aurora, NY 14052
Ph: 828-3700

MEDICAL REHABILITATION
PARTNERS IN REHAB
Mercy Diagnostic & Treatment Center
550 Orchard Park Road, Building C
West Seneca, NY 14224
Ph: 677-5022

PARTNERS IN REHAB
St. Joseph Hospital
2605 Harlem Road
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
Ph: 891-2530

PARTNERS IN REHAB
6199 Transit Road
Depew, NY 14043
Ph: 684-0649

PARTNERS IN REHAB
Sisters Hospital
2157 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214
Ph: 862-1170

PARTNERS IN REHAB
Williamsville Diagnostic Center
400 International Drive
Williamsville, NY 14221
Ph: 447-7106
Partners In Rehab & AthletiCare are departments of Mercy Hospital, Kenmore Mercy Hospital, Sisters of Charity Hospital and St. Joseph Hospital.