Hospital for Special Surgery to Host Sports Medicine for the Young Athlete 9th Annual Symposium

NEW YORK, N.Y.—March 2, 2007 

DATE	Saturday, March 3, 7:30a.m. to 4 p.m.
PLACE	Uris Auditorium Weill Medical College of Cornell University 1300 York Avenue (at 69th Street), New York
PERSONNEL	Co-chairing the symposium will be: Robert G. Marx, M.D., Orthopedic Director, Hospital for Special Surgery’s Sports Medicine Institute for Young Athletes Jordan D. Metzl, M.D., Medical Director, Hospital for Special Surgery’s Sports Medicine Institute for Young AthleteS
RELATED INFORMATION	News Tip Sheet
DETAILS	Over a span of 13 years, nearly 1.6 million pediatric soccer related injuries presented to emergency rooms across the nation, according to a recent study. Researchers also found a significant increase in the number of injuries sustained by girls between the ages of 2 and 18. Sports medicine is a growing field but medical care of the athletic child requires special consideration. On Saturday, March 3, leading experts in the fields of sport medicine, rehabilitation and training will assemble to discuss advances in the coordinated care of the active and athletic child. This symposium is the longest running and best attended pediatric sports medicine course in the country. Presenters will focus on various sports medicine issues that young athletes face and the most appropriate treatment options available. Speakers will discuss medical diagnosis techniques, recognizing when surgical or nonsurgical management is appropriate, rehabilitation options and sports drinks. “Adolescent athletes present a particular challenge because they are still growing,” said Dr. Metzl. “We will present a variety of ways to address the needs of the athletic child, which include selecting appropriate equipment and proper stretching techniques that can reduce injuries.” “More kids than ever are participating in team sports, and as a result, we are seeing an increase in the number of sports related injuries in our pediatric patients,” said Dr. Marx.  “The frequency of injuries and the need for the medical community to stay ahead of the curve in treating young athletes continues to make this symposium a popular and important event for physicians as well as athletic trainers and coaches throughout our region.” Another key topic that will be discussed is the most common form of knee pain, referred to as patellofemoral pain, how to identify it, and what to do, explained Brian C. Halpern, M.D.,  Sports Medicine Specialist and Assistant Attending Physician at Hospital for Special Surgery.

Sports Medicine for the Young Athlete: 9th Annual Symposium presentations will include:

• Medical Decision-Making in Athletes: Common Questions/Common Answers
• Fluid and Electrolytes in Athletes: Keeping the Balance
• Diagnostic Imaging in Sports Medicine
• Patellofemoral Problems in the Adolescent Athlete: Non-Surgical Management, Surgical Management and Physical Therapy
• ACL Reconstruction
• Everything you always wanted to know about running and running shoes but were afraid to ask
• Fluid Case Studies from Gatorade Sports Science Institute
• Yoga for Athletes: A Demonstration and Interactive Workshop
• The Orthotic Prescription
• Stretching to Reduce Injuries in Athletes: A Hands-On Workshop
• Pediatric Sports Emergencies: Case Based Examples

Speakers are available for interviews with the media during and after the event.

About Hospital for Special Surgery
Founded in 1863, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) is a world leader in orthopedics, rheumatology and rehabilitation. HSS is nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics, No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S. News & World Report (2007), and has received Magnet Recognition for Excellence in Nursing Service from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. In the 2006 edition of HealthGrades' Hospital Quality in America Study, HSS received five-star ratings for clinical excellence in its specialties. A member of the NewYork-Presbyterian Healthcare System and an affiliate of Weill Medical College of Cornell University, HSS provides orthopedic and rheumatologic patient care at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital at New York Weill Cornell Medical Center. All Hospital for Special Surgery medical staff are on the faculty of Weill Medical College of Cornell University. The hospital's research division is internationally recognized as a leader in the investigation of musculoskeletal and autoimmune diseases. Hospital for Special Surgery is located in New York City and online at www.hss.edu.