Knee Preservation Program Shortening Return-to-Sport Times
Sponsored by Memorial Hermann
By StoryStudio on December 1 , 2024
Luis Dlouhy, MD
Luis Dlouhy, MD, is a cardiologist with Memorial Hermann Medical Group.
— Luis Dlouhy, MD
The Memorial Hermann | Rockets Sports Medicine Institute—a collaboration between Memorial Hermann Health System and the NBA’s Houston Rockets franchise—cares for athletes of all ages and skill levels with the goal of returning them back to their respective sports quickly and effectively.
Over the past decade, the Rockets Sports Medicine Institute, led by Memorial Hermann-affiliated orthopedic surgeons, has created a unique model of care for knee preservation and improved outcomes that incorporates research initiatives to keep pace with evolving sports medicine practices and technology.
The Knee Preservation Program at the Institute brings together orthopedic surgeons, musculoskeletal imaging technicians and physical therapists who specialize in the treatment of knee injuries along with other health care providers to develop tailored treatment regimens to optimize results. Key to the program is the team of researchers who are looking for ways to shorten return-to-sport timelines and minimize the risk of re-injury.
“Our program uniquely unites clinicians to treat patients with knee injuries and researchers who closely evaluate existing and emerging practices and technology for optimal patient outcomes,” says Lane Bailey, PhD, a doctorate-level physical therapist, clinical researcher and director of sports medicine at the Institute. “We serve Greater Houston’s professional, collegiate and high school athletes, as well as weekend warriors, providing care while simultaneously researching the best ways to restore knee function and reduce re-injury.”
A 2023 survey by the American Heart Association showed that nearly 80% of respondents said they tend to ignore their health issues during the holiday season and that they find the holiday season more stressful than tax season. Luis Dlouhy, MD, provides some tips on how you can keep your heart healthy during this festive time of year.
Our program uniquely unites clinicians to treat patients with knee injuries and researchers who closely evaluate existing and emerging practices and technology for optimal patient outcomes."
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— Lane Bailey, PhD
Q: How much impact does holiday-related stress have on heart health?
Bailey credits the Memorial Hermann-affiliated surgeons and a hearty sports medicine infrastructure with fueling the success of the program. Most of the seven Rockets Sports Medicine Institute sites are co-located with affiliated orthopedic surgeons’ clinics that are strategically positioned around Greater Houston. The sites house labs that offer motion capture analysis, the recording of biomechanical data and kinetic force plate measurements. The data help physical therapists, athletic trainers, bio-mechanists and strength and conditioning coaches—all part of the staff at these locations—develop treatment and training recommendations in conjunction with referring orthopedic surgeons to determine the plan of care and present those recommendations directly to the patients. Importantly, the clinicians also consider psychological factors within their analysis of patients, as recent evidence has shown that these factors contribute significantly to patient-reported outcomes.
Q: What are some of the signs that stress is putting you at risk for a heart attack?
“We’re extremely proud of the work we’ve done to further the medical community’s understanding of and the value of knee preservation strategies,” Bailey says. “Our affiliated surgeons receive clinical support to enhance their decision-making, and our patients benefit from enhanced return-to-sport rates and reduced re-injury occurrences. We’re helping to move the needle in the right direction toward knee preservation and laying important groundwork for future practice.”
Learn more or contact us at MHRocketsContactus@memorialhermann.org to make an appointment.
Q: What are some practical tips for managing holiday stress to protect heart health?
Dr. Dlouhy: I know many of us fill up a big plate with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes. While it’s fine to have all these foods, I would suggest putting it on a smaller plate. Instead of having two helpings of your mom’s apple pie, maybe just have one. As I said before, everything in moderation. One way of avoiding overindulgence is having a healthy snack that includes fruits and/or vegetables that will fill you up before dinner. It’s also important to maintain some kind of physical activity. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity a week. While it might be hard to keep up that pace during the holidays, you can certainly go for a short walk with a family member or run around the park with your kids. I know there is always a lot going on, but eating in moderation and being active will help you keep your weight in check.
Q: What advice would you give to someone who wants to avoid holiday weight gain but still enjoy traditional meals?
Q: How important is it to take time for yourself around the holidays?
It can be tempting to disregard healthy choices during the holidays, but this can have a negative impact on your heart health. Remember to monitor your health and how you feel. Even while traveling, it is important to pay attention to any pain or discomfort. Be sure to seek medical attention if something feels abnormal."
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ACL injury research continues to improve outcomes for patients
Dr. Dlouhy: We do see a rise in heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest and stroke around the holidays. In fact, the highest number of heart attacks are seen on Christmas Day, followed by the week leading up to New Year’s Day. If you experience any new chest pain that is limiting what you can do, especially when you are exercising, you should seek out a cardiologist. If you used to be able to play 18 holes of golf and now you are experiencing shortness of breath or becoming fatigued earlier in the round, you should seek out a cardiologist. It’s best to get ahead of the problem before it’s too late.
Q: Are there any specific warning signs during the holidays that indicate a person should seek medical attention for their heart?
Dr. Dlouhy: Being around family you have not seen in a while can bring up old wounds and cause a lot of stress. I would avoid talking about politics or bringing up old grudges. Look for ways to reduce your stress from painful family interactions by trying to remember the good times and not focus on the negative. It’s important to get the proper amount of sleep and trying to limit your activities. If finances are a problem, come up with a budget before the holiday season starts, so money doesn’t become a stressor. Most of all, just take a little time to do something for yourself. Whether it’s just sitting by yourself with a cup of coffee and a good book, it’s important that you prioritize your mental and physical health. Doing these small things can reduce stress and help you avoid serious heart problems during the holiday season.
To learn more about heart-healthy holidays, visit memorialhermann.org/heartholidays-pc
To receive a referral to a heart specialist, contact us at memorialhermann.org/heart-contact
Conversely, because of the depth of analysis that the Institute can provide to affiliated surgeons, they refer appropriate patients to the Institute, where the patients often give consent to join the clinical research being conducted by the research staff. To date, more than 3,000 patients have enrolled in the clinical trial, where they are evaluated pre-operatively to assess range of motion, strength, power and agility. Each patient is given a survey to capture self-assessments of their injury and functionality.
Following surgery, patients are evaluated at 12, 24, 36 and 52 weeks to assess their range of motion, strength and power and to help determine the next steps in their recovery.
The data collected over the past decade through this trial and its registry have resulted in several papers and hundreds of research presentations shared internationally among the orthopedic and sports medicine community. As a result of this research, the Institute now realizes a return-to-sport rate of 80% within two years of injury. By comparison, the national average is 65%. Similarly, graft failure rates following surgical reconstruction of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear are 70% lower at Memorial Hermann than the national average.
We’re helping to move the needle in the right direction toward knee preservation and laying important groundwork for future practice."
— Lane Bailey, PhD
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