STAMFORD, Conn. -- Hospital for Special Surgery's Dr. Andrew Sama answers some questions about spinal stenosis.What is spinal stenosis?Spinal stenosis is a narrowing of the spinal canal, which results in pressure on the nerves either in the central part of the canal, in the sides of the canal under the joints, or in the windows through which the nerves exit the canal. This can happen in ...

STAMFORD, Conn. - About 12 years ago, a friend of mine suggested that we start riding bicycles for exercise. As an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery, I was receptive to the idea of maintaining my health, though a bit wary of the possibility of injury from city cycling. Little did I know that this was the start of a major transformation in my life. I was soon hooked ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- A baseball catcher is one of the most demanding positions in baseball, perhaps in all of sport. Naturally, this position comes with a variety of potential injuries. Let’s evaluate by body part:KneesBeing in a squatting position for nine innings puts tremendous stress on knees. In youth leagues, catchers may experience more pain in their kneecaps. At the professional ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- With more and more sports available to young athletes, there has been an increasing debate among athletes and parents in regards to picking and choosing. Is it better for my child to play one sport or multiple, many parents wonder. HSS pediatric orthopedic surgeon Dr. Daniel Green feels diversity of sport can be a good thing."We certainly think there’s an ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- For athletes, action-seekers and even the unsuspecting, traumatic brain injuries -- or TBI -- can cause serious complications TBI's are any injuries to the brain and can be the result from multiple causes, ranging from car or motorcycle accidents to falls, sports injuries or any injury that involves hitting the head or moving the neck in a sudden, abnormal ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Whether you are an athlete or a weekend warrior, being aware of how to prevent injuries is of the utmost importance. Meniscus tears can occur in people of all ages. But what exactly is a meniscus? There are actually two menisci in each knee that distribute the weight of the body and reduce friction in the knee. The menisci sit in the knee joint between the femur and ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- No matter your age or skill level, having a catch is one of the sure signs that spring is here and summer is right around the corner. However, showing off your fastball after months of inactivity can wreak havoc on little-used ligaments. Dr. Andrew Pearle, an orthopedic surgeon at Hospital for Special Surgery shares an example of coming out of the gate throwing and ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- For decades, sitting at a desk from 9 to 5 was considered standard practice for most professionals and office workers. Today, doctor and other health professionals are cautioning against the dangers of a sedentary workplace existence."Recent research has validated what we as physiatrists have been advising our patients all along: there is good and bad sitting ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- The increasing number of Tommy John surgeries, named after former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John whose ulnar collateral ligament -- or UCL -- reconstruction enabled a long and successful career, has led some to call these surgeries an epidemic. While the surgery has demonstrated great success, 10 to 30 percent of athletes who undergo this surgery ...

STAMFORD, Conn. -- As the weather warms and more people take to the roads, tracks and trails to run, injuries can follow shortly after. One of the most common injuries for runners is runner’s knee, which is caused by poor neuromuscular control and weakness. Runners knee is largely preventable; simple pre- and post-workout diligence can eliminate many issues before they ever surface. ...