Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

Game On: Knowing When to See a Doctor for Aches, Pains

Tue, 01 Mar 2022 14:33:00 -0500

New Canaan/Darien/Rowayton Magazine share guidance on treating and avoiding injuries according to Nicholas Sgrignoli, MD, sports medicine physician at HSS Stamford.

According to Dr. Sgrignoli, “Exercise-induced soreness is normal, but true pain that comes from an injury to a joint or tissue is not normal. In addition to injuries, pain is common among aging athletes and from degenerative joints and tendons, but it isn’t normal and should be addressed.”

He continued, “When we age we find muscles and joints become stiffer and lose elasticity in tendons which can lead to higher injury rates. I usually tell people that normal stiffness lasts for no longer than 15-20 minutes and goes away once they have loosened up. Persistent stiffness, that lasts for more than an hour in the morning, is more of a concern because it can be correlated to an inflammatory issue. Swelling, redness or warmth of joints are all also things to look out for that may be signs of a problem.”

“Loss of strength, function or the inability to put weight on joints means you want to see a doctor right away. Any injury with symptoms and pain that is getting worse after a few days you would also want to have looked at,” Dr. Sgrignoli explained.

Dr. Sgrignoli recommended incorporating a dynamic warm-up before exercise. He noted, “You are more likely to get hurt by jumping right into a sport with a cold, tight muscle. Any amount of stretching is most effective when your muscles are warm. So for a soccer player, doing lunges to activate muscles and work on lengthening as a warm up is better than just sitting down and doing a V-stretch.”

This article appeared in the March 2022 print issue.

Keep Fall Workouts Fun, Safe and Challenging

Sun, 25 Oct 2020 22:07:00 -0400

Stamford Patch highlights tips for a safe and productive fall exercise regimen according to HSS sports medicine physician Nicholas Sgrignoli, MD.

As darker mornings and earlier sunsets create a shorter daylight window for outdoor exercise, Dr. Sgrignoli advised to stay highly visible on the roads to vehicles, by wearing bright reflective clothing and clip-on lights. Layering workout gear is essential to adjust your body temperature as needed and avoid wetness from the elements and perspiration. Alternating your exercise regimen can help reduce injury risk, improve performance and keep things interesting. Dr. Sgrignoli recommended to have a plan and to think about your program holistically in three parts - cardiovascular (e.g., runs, bike rides, team and other sports); strength training; and balance and agility. He also addressed the importance of staying hydrated even in cooler temperatures, starting slow, adapting your routine and more.

Read the full article at Patch.com/conneticut/stamford.

Extreme Sports – How Young Athletes Can Stay Safe

Tue, 19 Nov 2019 17:18:10 -0500

Daily Voice Brookfield features a bylined article by Nicholas Sgrignoli, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS, on injury prevention tips for youth athletes to consider when participating in extreme sports.

Dr. Sgrignoli wrote athletes are advised to travel with supplies that will help sustain them for longer than their anticipated planned outing, and to explore their terrain prior to engaging in the activity. When traveling, particularly to remote locations, Dr. Sgrignoli suggested taking a partner, and to discuss an emergency plan (i.e., who to contact for help [if needed], how to prepare for unexpected weather, etc.) Use of protective equipment, such as a helmet, is also recommended, which will vary depending on the sport.

Additionally, as the strain placed on the body during extreme sports is higher than many team sports, Dr. Sgrignoli underscored the importance of being well rested and knowing when to call it a day prior to fatigue setting in.

Read the article at Dailyvoice.com.

CT Sportscast, Sept. 20

Fri, 20 Sep 2019 18:55:00 -0400

News 12 Connecticut reports specialists from HSS Stamford demonstrated the cutting edge technology of HSS DARI motion, at Chelsea Piers Connecticut on September 20. The HSS Cube popup experience can assess an athlete’s musculoskeletal health in just eight minutes. The marker less motion technology measures mobility, symmetry, strength and alignment, to ultimately help athletes understand how movements effect musculoskeletal wellness.

Jason Mayerhofer PT, DPT, MTC, STC, CSCS, SFMA, USATF-1, physical therapist at HSS, stated, “This is going to give us a snapshot of how people move, and how their mobility is.” Additionally, Nicholas Sgrignoli, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS, noted, “This cube is allowing us to give the community a source of understanding of how their body moves, and how they can improve those movements to prevent injury.”

Watch the segment at Connecticut.news12.com. This segment aired during the 5pm evening news hour on September 20, 2019.

Additional coverage: Patch.com (Stamford, CT).