73. UCL Injury Prevention and Repair For Baseball Players with Phillies' Head Team Physician Dr. Steven B. Cohen, MD
In this episode of On Q, hosts Mike Quintans and Rob Rabena chat with Dr. Steven Cohen, a leading sports medicine specialist and head physician for the Philadelphia Phillies, about UCL injuries in baseball players.
Dr. Cohen dives into the details of UCL tears, discussing the causes, diagnosis, and treatment options, including primary repair and reconstruction. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the entire kinetic chain and tailoring treatment to individual circumstances, shedding light on the changing demographics of UCL tears and the impact of intense year-round throwing.
The conversation also delves into the rehabilitation process post-Tommy John surgery, debunking misconceptions and highlighting the critical role of education in injury prevention.
Dr. Cohen's expertise and insights offer valuable guidance for athletes, parents, and coaches in safeguarding arm health and optimizing performance. If you're a concerned parent or a dedicated coach aiming to protect your young athlete's arm health while enhancing their pitching performance, this episode is a must listen.
The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:04 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:01:22 - Dr. Steven Cohen's Background
00:03:08 - Mechanism of UCL Tear
00:05:26 - Diagnosis of UCL Tear
00:10:26 - Surgical Treatment of UCL Tear
00:11:21 - UCL Injury Management and Recovery
00:12:52 - UCL Tears in Young Athletes
00:16:26 - Recovery Differences by Position
00:17:33 - Timing and Season Considerations
00:22:01 - Early Rehab and Strength Training
00:23:20 - Importance of Rehab and Training after Elbow Surgery
00:25:48 - Revisions in UCL Reconstruction
00:28:29 - Success Rates and Risk Factors of UCL Injuries
00:30:29 - Mitigating UCL Injury Risks
00:34:54 - Navigating the Goals of Young Athletes and Their Parents
00:38:14 - Developing Pitchers with a Well-Structured Throwing Program
00:39:30 - Age-Appropriate Strength and Conditioning Training
00:40:03 - Assessing Risk Factors in Young Athletes
00:43:12 - Key Component of Throwing Programs
00:46:05 - Importance of Educating Athletes
00:47:27 - Rest and Recovery Timeline
00:48:37 - Relevance of Sports Medicine
00:49:40 - Importance of Rehabilitation