HSS will provide access to high quality preventative, surgical, rehabilitative and performance services to GCDS athletes in addition to their specialties in orthopedic surgery and the treatment of rheumatologic conditions. Once a week, an HSS physician will also be available on campus in the Athletic Training Room, and a physician from HSS will be present for game-day coverage at all home football games.

“Not only are we gaining access to elite orthopedic care, but the resources and technology of HSS are unparalleled,” says Patrick Curry, GCDS head athletic trainer. “This year our athletes will receive expert HSS movement analysis using FDA-endorsed 3D computer vision technology that will help our athletic trainers and coaches to prevent injuries. Athletes and coaches will also run through the HSS Sport Safety Program to establish proper warm up techniques, awareness of body position, and recognition of unsafe movements while playing sports.”

The lead HSS physicians for GCDS are Warren K. Young, MD, who is a team physician for Iona College and Concordia College; Samuel A. Taylor, MD, who currently serves as associate team physician for the New York Giants; and Karen M. Sutton, MD, who is head team physician for U.S. Women’s Lacrosse, chief medical officer for World Lacrosse, and team physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. In addition to a main campus in New York City, HSS has facilities in Westchester and Stamford among others.

“Young athletes are demanding peak performance from their bodies and we want to work with parents, coaches and training staff to ensure they maintain overall fitness to prevent injury while having fun,” said Dr. Sutton, sports medicine surgeon at HSS Stamford. “It’s important for young athletes to develop a foundation of strength beginning with their entire core, participate in exercise programs that promote flexibility, eat right and pay attention to pain.”

GCDS will also collaborate with HSS to offer informational workshops and presentations for students, parents, and coaches on key topics related to health and wellness such as nutrition, stress management, and injury prevention and recovery.

“We envision HSS as a helpful resource for our families,” notes GCDS Athletic Director Tim Helstein. “Their expertise benefits families with students of all ages and interests. We want everyone to be healthy, safe, and knowledgeable—whether they are playing in their first flag football game, rehearsing for the Middle School musical, training for a dance showcase, or playing competitive sports at the highest level.”

About GCDS

Greenwich Country Day School is a co-ed, independent Nursery - Grade 12 college preparatory day school in Greenwich, CT, that graduates ethical, confident learners and leaders with a strong sense of purpose--ready to embrace opportunities and challenges in a world of rapid change. The purposeful mission of academic excellence and character development is as relevant today as it was at the school’s founding in 1926. GCDS’s curriculum builds a solid background in the sciences and humanities while challenging students to develop critical knowledge and skills through inquiry, exploration, interdisciplinary studies, and real-world applications. The school’s pedagogy and curricula seek to bring forward multiple perspectives, disciplines, and voices as a means to deepen learning and develop empathy. Important lessons are learned not only in the classroom, but also on the playing fields, in the art room, on stage, and through extracurricular activities, such as the chess team, robotics club, and student publications. An extensive community service program and numerous leadership opportunities teach students to turn their initiative and generosity into meaningful action. GCDS is a joyful learning environment where curiosity and creativity are valued, resilience is cultivated, and the health and well-being of every student is essential. GCDS graduates are known as exceptionally well-prepared for success in higher education—and in life. www.gcds.net

Reconstruction is the current standard of care surgical treatment for tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This procedure typically uses a graft, or a piece of tissue, placed in the knee minimally invasively, using small incisions. About 300,000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually in the United States with well documented rates of success.

ACL repair is an older technique that involved suturing (sewing) torn ACL tissue, not rebuilding it with a graft. ACL repair was performed in the 1970s at select institutions, including Hospital for Special Surgery, but was abandoned due to unacceptably high failure rates of up to 50%.

Today, ACL repair has been modernized and can be performed through a minimally invasive approach. Proponents suggest that modern ACL repair techniques may be performed safely and may lead to a quicker recovery than ACL reconstruction. However, the limited studies to date raise questions that must be discussed in detail with your surgeon.

1. It is critically important to get ACL surgery right the first time.

When ACL surgery fails, surgeons must do a revision procedure to correct or revise the problems that were not fully addressed the first time. Revision requires reconstructive ACL surgery with a graft. (ACL repairs cannot be done as revisions.) Redoing ACL surgery may result in higher rates of failure, lower rates of return to sports, and increased risk of osteoarthritis.

The importance of successful initial ACL surgery holds true for people of all ages, but it is particularly critical for young athletes, for whom a failed surgery can have devastating consequences, including years lost from sport in the short term as well as chronic pain and loss of function in the long term.

2. Failure rates for ACL repair appear to be significantly higher than those for ACL reconstruction in people of all ages.

Current studies suggest that modern ACL repair techniques have a failure rate that may be five to ten times higher than that of ACL reconstruction^1,2,3. One major recent study in a prominent sports medicine journal found that arthroscopic ACL repair has unacceptable outcomes in young athletes, with short-term failure rates of close to 50%².

It has been suggested that ACL repair may be appropriate for older adults who have a type of ACL tear called a proximal avulsion and who do not participate in “cutting and pivoting” sports such as basketball, volleyball, and soccer. For these patients, failure rates in the short term appear to be much higher than ACL reconstruction in this age group^1,2,3.

3. There is still much we don’t know about ACL repair.

There has been no scientific evidence that shows a difference in postoperative pain between ACL repair and reconstruction. Rehabilitation and return-to-play protocols for ACL repair have not yet been established. Proper guidelines for rehabilitation and return to sports are essential to keep people safe from re-injury.
 

Andrew D. Pearle, MD

Chief, HSS Sports Medicine Institute

Bryan T. Kelly, MD

HSS Surgeon-in-Chief and Medical Director

Answorth A. Allen, MD

David W. Altchek, MD

Struan H. Coleman, MD, PhD

Frank A. Cordasco, MD, MS

David M. Dines, MD

Joshua S. Dines, MD

Stephen Fealy, MD

Andreas H. Gomoll, MD

Lawrence V. Gulotta, MD

Jo A. Hannafin, MD, PhD

Anne M. Kelly, MD

John D. MacGillivray, MD

Robert G. Marx, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Michael J. Maynard, MD

Moira M. McCarthy, MD

Danyal H. Nawabi, MD, FRCS

Stephen J. O’Brien, MD, MBA

Anil S. Ranawat, MD

Scott A. Rodeo, MD

Howard Anthony Rose, MD

Beth E. Shubin Stein, MD

Sabrina M. Strickland, MD

Karen M. Sutton, MD

Samuel A. Taylor, MD

Russell F. Warren, MD

Thomas L. Wickiewicz, MD

Riley J. Williams III, MD

References

1. Jonkergouw A, van der List J, DiFelice G. Arthroscopic primary repair of proximal ACL tears: outcomes of the first 56 consecutive patients and the role of additional internal bracing. Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Jan;27(1):21-28.

2. Gagliardi AG, Carry PM, Parikh HB, Traver JL, Howell DR, Albright JC. ACL repair with suture ligament augmentation is associated with a high failure rate among adolescent patients. Am J Sports Med. 2019 Mar;47(3):560-566.

3. Wright RW et al. Risk of tearing the intact ACL in the contralateral knee and rupturing the ACL graft during the first 2 years after ACLR: A prospective MOON cohort study. Am J Sports Med. 2007 Jul;35(7):1131-4.

For more information visit https://www.hss.edu/condition-list_torn-acl.asp.

At the core of the initiative, Karen M. Sutton, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, credits her passion and dedication to helping others reach their fullest potential, as part of her daily motivation to keeping the female athletes, colleagues, and role models she works with on a regular basis empowered.  

Read the full article at InsideLacrosse.com. 
 

New York Family spoke to Karen M. Sutton, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS about how to encourage girls to stay involved, and a new initiative "Keep Her In the Game," aimed to provide girls with the confidence they for play. Dr. Sutton cited, "’Keep Her In The Game' is about empowering young girls to stay in sports; either athletically or professionally. I hope that girls will gain an understanding on how sports change during adolescence: the ins and outs of sports bras, deodorant, re-training muscles and managing your period during sports." Dr. Sutton explained, "It’s important to remember that girls respond to their environment. They prefer a group setting with teams that offer camaraderie, support and friendships. They want to understand the whys behind certain plays or decisions." Furthermore, Dr. Sutton added, "Being on a team helps girls build confidence in their abilities, meet challenges, overcome adversity, and connect the dots between hard work and results. On-field experiences can carry over to the classroom, among friend groups and even into the workplace."

Read the full article at NewYorkFamily.com. 
 

The panel was titled "Being Your Best Self." Panelists included:

Dr. Karen Sutton, a Board-certified orthopedic surgeon at HSS specializing in helping athletes with hip, knee and shoulder injuries, spoke on the importance of a positive view during the healing process. She explained that it’s critical to treat not only the body, but the mind when recovering from an injury to stay both physically and mentally strong.

Dr. Ellen Casey, a physiatrist at HSS and award-winning gymnast, focused her remarks on taking a holistic approach when treating pain or a physical limitation. Understanding "who" you are and "what" you ultimately want to accomplish is just as important as "why" the issue is happening. Whether you’re an 80-year old who wants to maintain independence or a 35-year old who wants to run a marathon, understanding the full picture will ultimately result in a better outcome, according to Casey.

Heidi Skolnik, a nationally recognized sports nutritionist at HSS, has influenced millions through her media work, writing, and thriving consulting business.  She spoke on the importance of eating to be healthy versus eating to lose weight as we age. 

Cindy Rudbart, SVP, wealth advisor at the Blue Sandstone Group at Morgan Stanley, emphasized how good health and wealth strategies support each other. She explained that women should have a holistic view of their finances, while maintaining good health habits. This helps them live longer, feel better and minimize health care costs in retirement. 

The panel was moderated by Mary Gibbons Gardiner, First Vice President and Financial Advisor at the Blue Sandstone Group at Morgan Stanley. "We felt that sharing all of this valuable information with our clients was critical to their long-term physical and financial well-being," said Mary. "These practical and thoughtful strategies will help them enjoy their lives more fully now and through retirement."

Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, a global leader, provides access to a wide range of products and services to individuals, businesses and institutions, including brokerage and investment advisory services, financial and wealth planning, cash management and lending products and services, annuities and insurance, retirement and trust services.  

Morgan Stanley (NYSE: MS) is a leading global financial services firm providing investment banking, securities, investment management and wealth management services.  With offices in more than 41 countries, the Firm's employees serve clients worldwide including corporations, governments, institutions and individuals.  For more information about Morgan Stanley, please visit www.morganstanley.com.

The Women’s Sports Medicine Center at HSS is a nationally recognized health resource for active women of all ages and abilities, from professional athletes to eager novices. These professionals focus on a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to health and wellness. HSS is the world’s leading academic medical center focused on musculoskeletal health. At its core is Hospital for Special Surgery, nationally ranked No. 1 in orthopedics (for the ninth consecutive year) and No. 3 in rheumatology by U.S.News & World Report (2018-2019).

According to the article, Dr. Sutton exercised six times a week in preparation for the 2018 New York City Marathon.

"Strong is the new pretty," she said.

Additionally, Dr. Sutton demonstrated how to perform Bulgarian squats, an exercise that helps with core, glute, and hamstring strength.

This article appeared in the November 2018 print issue.

Additional Coverage:

• US Lacross Magazine: Gym Rats: Ball Pikes and Pogo Pass with Dr. Karen Sutton

According to the article, Dr. Papa underwent arthroscopic surgery performed by HSS sports medicine surgeon Karen M. Sutton, MD, at HSS Orthopedics at Stamford Health.

Dr. Papa noted that she is currently going to physical therapy with Justin Clark, the site manager of HSS Sports Rehab at Chelsea Piers Connecticut. Additionally, she explained that physical therapy is instrumental in the recovery process.

Read the full article at Brookfield.dailyvoice.com.

According to the article, a women's abdominal muscles are stretched and separated during pregnancy. "Your body is completely changed…. You have basically no core after giving birth," Dr. Sutton explained.

Ribaudo noted that the weakened core decreases stability and could put more pressure on a person's back, hip or knees.

"I see a lot of postpartum upper back and shoulder and neck pain," Ribaudo said. To decrease the amount of bending, Ribaudo advised parents to adjust the height of where they change and dress their baby.

According to Dr. Sutton, exercises such as the plank pose, bridge pose, wall squats and pelvic floor exercises are beneficial for women who feel comfortable and have been examined by their obstetrician.

Read the full article at nytimes.com.

Additional Coverage:

• Red Tricycle: Here's How to Make Everything Hurt Less When Carrying Your Baby

Dr. Sutton explained that she enjoys the challenges of triathlons. "I was a competitive athlete growing up, and when I'm in a triathlon I always want to be faster, stronger and do longer distances. These are always a good way for me to go out and achieve. They make me want to do better," she said.  

"I love doing triathlons. It involves so many different kinds of activities that can be a real benefit to you. I love swimming as a total body exercise and the riding is a great lower body exercise. Plus the running is just awesome. It's a great workout. It's got a little bit of everything and you're never going to get bored when you're doing it," Dr. Metzl noted.

According to Dr. Sutton, participating in triathlons also helps her understand what motivates her patients.

"The best medicine is exercise, and I'm all about promoting and prescribing exercise. I want people to move every day of their lives.… As a sports medicine doctor, I not only want my patients doing this, I want to be able to do it myself, too," said Dr. Metzl.

Read the full article at greenwichtime.com. This also appeared in the July 20, 2018 print issue.

Additional Coverage:

• Connecticut Post: Doctors join the starting lineup at Greenwich Cup triathlon
• Greenwich Time: What's going on in your part of Greenwich
• Stamford Advocate: Doctors join the starting lineup at Greenwich Cup triathlon

A team physician for U.S. Lacrosse, Dr. Sutton has been a leader in providing player safety policies and best practices for lacrosse athletes.  

"I look forward to working with the Federation of International Lacrosse and countries throughout the world to bring an exceptionally high and consistent standard of health and safety to our sport.  The role of Chief Medical Officer will allow a collaboration of information on lacrosse injury prevention, emergency preparedness, and injury management to be disseminated globally," said Dr. Sutton.

Read the full article at filacrosse.com.

HSS sports medicine surgeon Karen M. Sutton, MD, commented on the study's findings. "The network meta-analysis helps guide our treatment regimen for our osteoarthritis patients. Patients are educated about their care, and if we can give them a formal proven progression of an outline for their treatment, they feel more satisfied when it's backed by research," she said.

Read the full article at blog.arthritis.org.

"Strength training will increase your resting metabolic rate, which is the ability to burn calories while lounging around. It's also a great addition to any weight-loss program," wrote Dr. Sutton.

If someone is new to strength training, Dr. Sutton noted that it's important to start slowly and increase weights in a controlled fashion.

Read the full article at greenwich.dailyvoice.com

The two-day annual symposium will provide clinicians with guidance on how to care for athletes of all levels. Topics to include: the athlete’s elbow, shoulder instability, the rotational athlete, multiligament knee, concussion management, the female athlete, the athlete’s hip, tendonopathy, and the young athlete’s knee.

The symposium is provided by HSS Office of Continuing Medical Education, Department of Rehabilitation and HSS Sports Medicine, and is co-directed by HSS sports medicine surgeon, Anil S. Ranawat, MD, and HSS physical therapist and certified athletic trainer John Cavanaugh, PT, MEd, ATC, SCS.

"At HSS, we treat over 400 elite athletes a year from over 80 professional teams and over 100 Division 1 programs," said Cavanaugh. "We have a front seat to all of the unique injuries that occur as well as the cutting-edge research performed in our labs. This symposium is a way for us to share our expertise with medical professionals who may be in an outpatient setting and not have the same exposure."

The symposium will take place on March 23-24, 2018 at the Richard L. Menschel Education Center at HSS (535 East 70th Street, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10021) and will also be live streamed online.

Consisting of 3 main sessions, 4 concurrent sessions, 3 mini courses, 8 concurrent workshops, and a new lunch & learn option, this year’s symposium includes a keynote address from Gilles Walch, MD, acclaimed shoulder surgeon from Hopital Privé Jean Mermoz in France, on his surgical approach to shoulder instability.

There will also be a live surgery of an anterior shoulder stabilization performed by Joshua S. Dines, MD, sports medicine surgeon at HSS, as well as two optional instructional courses.

The session The Female Athlete will cover gender differences in sports medicine, graft choice for ACL reconstruction, stress fractures, training considerations and sports psychology. The session is moderated by Lisa R. Callahan, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS. Presentations will be made by members of the Women’s Sports Medicine Center:

• Ellen Casey, MD
• Karen M. Sutton, MD
• Marci A. Goolsby, MD
• Polly de Mille, RN, MA, RCEP, CSCS, USAT
• Deborah N. Roche, PhD

HSS serves as the official hospital and team physicians and rehabilitation specialists for over 20 professional and collegiate teams and organizations and is one of only three hospitals in the nation appointed a FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence.

CONTACTS:

Sherry Randolph / Monique Irons / Tracy Hickenbottom

Hospital for Special Surgery

mediarelations@hss.edu

212-606-1197

"Roughly half of medical students are now women," said Dr. Sutton, a sports medicine surgeon at HSS. "In contrast, orthopedic surgery residency programs have lagged behind other subspecialties in recruiting women. Only 14 percent of orthopedic residents and 6 percent of active AAOS (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery) fellows are female. It’s important to address the factors that can be modified to reduce gender disparity within the field."

The article discusses several concerns of female orthopedic surgeons with respect to child-bearing, including the timing of pregnancy and potential occupational hazards. The authors also recommend precautions that can be taken.

"We believe that with appropriate planning, rates of pregnancy-related complications can be reduced," said Dr. Sutton. "The use of personal protective equipment, lead aprons, and dosimeters that measure radiation may decrease rates of occupational exposures. Planning with regard to rotation and call distribution may reduce rates of preterm labor and preeclampsia."

Dr. Sutton urges more research and leadership interest to address concerns and attract top talent to the field of orthopedics. The article can be viewed on the AAOS website: https://www.aaos.org/AAOSNow/2018/Feb/Managing/managing01/

Dr. Sutton explained the importance of planning your workouts in advance, including set-aside time for warming up and cooling down. Additionally, Dr. Sutton noted that protective garments are required.

"You need to have some synthetic or wool layers to protect you. The first would be a base layer with Capilene, which is really nice because you're not going to hold down all that water in that layer. Then you want to have a fleece layer, and finally it's important to have some sort of shell that will protect you from rain or snow," she said.

If you aren't dressed with the appropriate layers, Dr. Sutton said "I think unfortunately what you do is lose a lot of that water faster, and once you lose a lot of that, you're going to get cold a lot faster so your tolerance for exercising during that time is worse."

Watch the full segment at wtnh.com. This segment aired during the January 29, 2018 broadcast.