Neal ElAttrache, MD specializes in treating the following types of injuries:
KNEE
Ligament Injuries
These injuries are often caused during sports play and may include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and the medial collateral ligament (MCL).
Ligament injuries to the knee can often be caused by:
• Twisting your knee with the foot planted
• Direct contact or collision
• Extending the knee too far
• Landing from a jump incorrectly
• Stopping suddenly when running
• Changing directions rapidly
(Sources: Mayo Clinic and AAOS)
Meniscus Tears
A common knee injury that is caused when certain tissue in the knee tears as a result of forceful twisting. The tear occurs in the rubbery knee cartilage that cushions the shinbone from the thighbone. The majority of these injuries occur during contact sports. However, anyone at any age can tear a meniscus.
Meniscus Tears can be caused by the following actions:
• Squatting and twisting a knee that causes a tear during contact sports
• Direct forceful contact to the knee, like a tackle
• Degenerative meniscus tears are also common in older patients
(Source: AAOS)
SHOULDER
Labrum | Rotator Cuff | Bicep Injuries
Injuries to the tissue rim surrounding the shoulder socket can occur from acute trauma or repetitive shoulder motion. Athletes that repetitively throw or lift heavy weights can experience these type of shoulder injuries as a result of repetitive shoulder motion. Labrum, Rotator Cuff and Bicep Injuries can be caused by the following actions:
• A direct blow to the shoulder
• Repetitive stress to the shoulder
• Lack of blood supply - often caused by aging
• A fall onto an outstretched arm
• Bone spurs
• Lifting weight that causes a sudden pull on the shoulder
• Reaching overhead abruptly
(Source: AAOS)
Shoulder Instability
Shoulder instability occurs when the head of the upper arm bone is forced out of the shoulder socket. Once a shoulder has been dislocated it is vulnerable to repeat episodes sometimes resulting in chronic shoulder instability.
Shoulder Instability can be caused by the following actions:
• Shoulder dislocation
• Repetitive strain to the shoulder
• Multidirectional instability
(Source: AAOS)
AC Joint Injuries
A shoulder separation is not truly an injury to the shoulder joint. The injury actually involves the acromioclavicular joint (also called the AC joint). The AC joint is where the collarbone (clavicle) meets the highest point of the shoulder blade (acromion).
AC Joint Injuries are commonly caused by a fall directly onto the shoulder.
(Source: AAOS)
ELBOW
Ulnar Collateral Ligament (UCL) Injury
"Tommy John Surgery"
The ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) is the most commonly injured ligament in throwers. Injuries of the UCL can range from minor damage and inflammation to a complete tear of the ligament. UCL Injuries are most commonly caused when athletes throw repeatedly at high speeds and cause repetitive high stress to the UCL. In baseball pitchers, rate of injury is highly related to the number of pitches thrown, the number of innings pitched, and the number of months spent pitching each year. To surgically repair the UCL and restore elbow strength and stability, the ligament must be reconstructed. In most cases of UCL injury, the ligament can be reconstructed using one of the patient's own tendons. This procedure is known as "Tommy John Surgery."
(Source: AAOS)
Dr. ElAttrache is one of the leading orthopedic surgeons known for performing successful Tommy John Surgery procedures.
Tendon Tears
Tears of the biceps tendon are most often caused by a sudden injury and tend to result in greater arm weakness than injuries to the biceps tendon at the shoulder. Elbow tendon tears are most often caused when the elbow is forced straight against resistance.
(Source: AAOS)