Avascular necrosis, or osteonecrosis, is a condition where bone tissue dies from lack of blood supply. Without enough blood, small breaks begin to form in the bone and potentially cause disintegration. While anyone can develop this condition, it typically occurs in middle-aged adults between the ages of thirty and sixty. If treated early enough at MidAmerica’s Palos Hills or Mokena clinics, further bone damage can usually be minimized through home treatment and therapy; surgery is a last resort. (Mayo Clinic)

While most people who have hip dysplasia are born with the condition, it is possible to develop later in life. In most cases, patients of hip dysplasia experience relief after a few months of at-home treatment and therapy.

Causes, Symptoms, & Risk Factors

Hip dysplasia is most commonly a result of the ball joint of the hip being moved out of place while in the womb. Even during the early stages of development, the ball and the socket rely on each other in order to form correctly. During the final trimester, the womb may become so cramped that the ball joint shifts from the socket, causing dysplasia. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

Thus far, we’ve discussed Rotator Cuff Tears and knee injuries, but the knee and elbow aren’t the only joints vulnerable to injury for baseball players. The elbow is also commonly subject to distress, especially when it comes to throwing athletes, such as pitchers and infielders. Elbow injuries typically result from repeated, high-stress motion, which leads to overuse of the joint and can be very painful. Luckily, this condition is treatable at MidAmerica’s Sports Medicine Clinic located in Palos Hills and Mokena.

Have you ever experienced a popping or snapping sensation in your hip when walking or shifting your body? You may be experiencing Snapping Hip Syndrome, also known as Dancer’s Hip. While typically harmless, Snapping Hip Syndrome can cause painful swelling of the fluid sacs that cushion joints. Luckily, many patients have success treating Snapping Hip Syndrome with home treatments and physical therapy.

Causes & Symptoms

Snapping Hip Syndrome occurs when a tendon or muscle moves over the knobby bones in one’s hip. The most common symptom that patients experience is a cracking or snapping sound and sensitivity when exercising the hip. (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons)

While baseball players often experience shoulder injuries, the knee is also a common potential pain point. Due to the complex bone, cartilage, ligament, and tendon structure, any movement—like running from base to base, twisting while your foot is planted or landing on a flexed knee sliding into home—can result in a serious knee injury requiring treatment at MidAmerica’s Palos Hills or Mokena clinics.

Clubfoot is a rare birth defect in which an infant’s foot is turned inward, often so severely that the bottom of the foot is facing upwards or sideways.

There are fewer than 200,000 recorded cases per year in the United States, with boys twice as likely to be diagnosed with the deformity than girls. While most cases of clubfoot are diagnosed at birth, many cases can also initially be detected during a prenatal ultrasound. In about half the cases, both of the infant’s feet are affected.

Baseball season is in full swing and with it comes celebrated wins, upsetting losses, and inevitable injuries. While we hope your season doesn’t result in the latter, we want to make sure you know where to turn if it does. This three-part blog series outlines three common baseball injuries treatable at MidAmerica’s Palos Hills and Mokena clinics: Rotator cuff tears, knee injuries and elbow tendonitis. So no matter what position you’re playing on the field, you know where to turn to for the care you need.

Rotator Cuff Tears

Rotator cuff tears are a common baseball injury, especially for pitchers. Your rotator cuff keeps your arm in its socket. It’s made up of a group of four muscles that combine as a tendon to help rotate and move your arm. This is why pitchers often fall victim to this injury.

Symptoms, Causes and Treatment

Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature of the spine that typically forms just prior to puberty. While most cases of scoliosis are so mild they do not necessitate treatment, there are cases of scoliosis that have been linked to conditions such as muscular dystrophy and cerebral palsy. If left untreated, scoliosis may also result in heart and lung problems. Luckily, this condition is treatable at MidAmerica’s Palos Hills and Mokena clinics.