Researchers have long known there are sex disparities when it comes to the prevalence and severity of knee osteoarthritis, a disease that causes cartilage degeneration. Now, investigations underway at UT Southwestern Medical Center point to biological differences in the knee cartilage of male and female animals that could explain substantial variances in rates of osteoarthritis between the sexes and may eventually lead to tailored treatments that take these into account.
Tag: physical medicine and rehabilitation
UT Southwestern surgeon offers insight on elbow injuries among young baseball players
Spring marks the arrival of baseball, and with it the risk of elbow injuries among young players. Tears or ruptures of the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) are the most common elbow injury among baseball players from youth leagues to the major leagues, especially pitchers. The most severe cases require reconstructive surgery, commonly known as Tommy John surgery.

All that texting and scrolling leads to a rise in ‘tech neck’
Technology can be a pain in the neck, leading to what’s known as “tech neck,” chronic pain that results from prolonged use of mobile phones, tablets, and other electronic devices.
Head trauma doesn’t predict memory problems in NFL retirees, UT Southwestern study shows
A study of retired professional football players by researchers at UT Southwestern Medical Center found that their cognitive abilities did not differ significantly from a control group of similarly aged men who did not play football, nor did those abilities show significant change over one to five years. The findings were published in Brain Injury.
Michigan Medicine receives grant recognizing it as a top U.S. program for spinal cord injury
Michigan Medicine’s Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation received a federal research grant for spinal cord injury – reflecting its comprehensive care for patients with SCI and signifying the program as a national leader in the field. Michigan Medicine rejoins the Spinal Cord Injury Model System program, a network of health systems supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research.
Paralympic dreams and the growth of adaptive sports
A star adaptive sports athlete at University of Michigan made the roster for the 2022 U.S. Men’s National Wheelchair Basketball Team. He is a key piece of the university’s growing adaptive sports program, which is led by a U-M Health physician.
Nearly Half of COVID-19 Patients Left Hospital in Worse Physical Condition
Much of the conversation around COVID-19 focuses on death and survival. But 45% of patients hospitalized for the virus at Michigan Medicine during the pandemic’s first wave experienced significant functional decline. Nearly 20% were discharged to a location other than their home. Researchers say this information highlights the true impact of COVID-19.

New President and Board Members Elected to the Association of Academic Physiatrists
Gwendolyn Sowa, MD, PhD, Endowed Professor and Chair of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (PM&R) at the University of Pittsburgh/UPMC and Director of the UPMC Rehabilitation Institute, has been elected president of the Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), the largest membership society for academic physiatry, at their 2021 Virtual Conference. Dr. Sowa is joined by seven newly elected members of the AAP’s Board of Trustees.
“CrashCourse” Program Makes Teen Football Players More Aware of Concussion Risks and Why to Report Symptoms
How can we teach high school football players about concussion risks to prevent delays in reporting, diagnosing and treating this serious medical condition? The “CrashCourse” program appears more effective than older approaches when it comes educating teen athletes on the urgency of reporting concussion symptoms, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting.

Rehabilitation Care is Needed for Many COVID-19 Patients
Providers find patients hospitalized from COVID-19 need physical and cognitive rehabilitation care to aid in their recovery from the virus’ damaging effects on the body and mind.
Gender & Ethnic Diversity Still Lacking in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Professional Ranks
Women and members of various ethnic groups are still significantly underrepresented in the medical field of physical medicine and rehabilitation (PM&R), with only 39.23 percent of current residents being women and 10.59 percent identifying as Hispanic or Black. Diversity gaps must be addressed in recruitment efforts in the future, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.
Older Women May Reduce Urinary Incontinence Symptoms with Physical Therapy
Physical therapy interventions effectively reduce urinary incontinence symptoms in older women and should be a first-line treatment intervention for patients with this chronic condition, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.
Opioid Risk Reduction Program Helps Reduce Suicide Rate at VHA Facility
A reduction in suicides among patients at a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility may be due to a multispecialty opioid risk reduction program that included addiction management treatment, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.
Alternative Medicine Improves Quality of Life in Acute Rehab, Study Shows
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies show effectiveness at improving quality of life for patients of various diagnoses in acute rehabilitation, in-patient facilities, according to preliminary data from a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.
Exercise Habits Set Early in Life May Lead to Better Physical Fitness, BMI & Performance in Adulthood
Good exercise habits formed in adolescence correlate positively with exercise habits in adults, and adults with good exercise habits have better physical performance and appropriate body-mass index scores for their age, according to a new study presented this week at the Association of Academic Physiatrists Annual Meeting in Orlando.