Bassett Surgeon Addressing Overhead Sports Injuries In Youth

Cooperstown, N.Y. – Bassett Healthcare Network’s Shoulder and Sports Medicine Research Institute has been diagnosing an increased number of injuries in youth athletes who participate in overhead sports. For this reason, Jocelyn Wittstein, M.D., orthopedic shoulder and sports medicine specialist at the Institute, is setting out to reduce certain injuries in young athletes by asking some questions. Dr. Wittstein and the Bassett Research Institute are collecting information through surveys of youth baseball players and their parents on athletic training and injury patterns, with the hope that identification and avoidance of high risk training patterns may yield a decrease in future shoulder and elbow injuries in youth throwing sports, such as baseball.

“We are seeing increased intensity and training in young athletes, particularly among young baseball players,” says Dr. Wittstein. “The true rate of ‘overuse’ injuries, such as ‘little leaguer’s shoulder’ and injuries to the growth plates and ligaments of the elbow, in youth baseball players has not been well studied. By examining training and playing habits, we may be able to contribute to the development of youth baseball training programs to reduce these injuries and keep young athletes healthy on and off the field.”

Dr. Wittstein and the Bassett Research Institute are working with local youth baseball groups, regional high schools and the Bassett athletic trainers that staff them, as well as the Cooperstown All Star Village to carry out their surveys. Dr. Wittstein hopes to have some early results back by next summer.

“I am aiming to collect an unprecedented amount of data in this subject, which takes time,” continues Wittstein. “While we wait for the data, it’s important to educate overhead athletes and their parents.”

Martin Patton, owner of Cooperstown All Star Village, has invited Dr. Wittstein to present information on injury prevention on a weekly basis to youth players, including four local teams that participate in the program there each summer. Dr. Wittstein has also provided educational lectures open to the community on injury prevention in cooperation with the Baseball Hall of Fame. These lectures can be viewed online by going to the website for the Bassett Shoulder and Sports Medicine Research Institute (http://www.bassett.org/our-network/patient-services/shoulder-and-sports-medicine-research-institute/).