Tennis players will be taking over the lowcountry in the next few weeks as the Family Circle Cup tournament begins on Daniel Island.    For many tennis players, playing the game pain free is a luxury.   Carol Wilson, a 4.0 league player with the Legend Oaks team explains, “I played with tennis elbow for years.  I wore the sleeves, the tape, anything I thought would help.  I did not want to give up the game.”  Finally the pain associated with tennis elbow forced Wilson to put the racket down.  She first tried physical therapy without any results.  She then turned to Dr. Bright McConnell of Charleston Sports Medicine.  She states, “I knew his reputation and I knew he would help me get back on the court.”

After examining Carol, Dr. McConnell felt like she was a perfect candidate for the FAST procedure.  He states, “The FAST procedure, or fasciotomy and surgical tenomoty, is a minimally invasive procedure that requires a small incision and minimal downtime post procedure.  This procedure has proven to be quite effective for those suffering from tennis elbow.”

Wilson had the FAST procedure performed in December, and has already been back on the court hitting tennis balls.   While she is three months out from the procedure, assessment of patients for FAST continues six months beyond the date of surgery.    Wilson recommends FAST to any tennis player playing through the pain.  She states, “The hardest thing is to put the racket down.   I thought I could play through the pain.  I now play pain free, it is like a new beginning.”

Dr. McConnell with Charleston Sports Medicine is the only orthopedic surgeon locally that performs the FAST procedure.  For more information, log onto www.charlestonsportsmed.com.

Many are starting their New Years resolutions regime, which almost always includes getting in better shape and losing weight.   But for some athletes, they would just like to start the year without nagging tendon pain.  Bright McConnell, III M.D., an orthopedic surgeon with Charleston Sports Medicine, treats athletes that suffer from injuries that may prevent them from their training.   He states, “Tendon pain is a serious issue for athletes.  While the traditional rehabilitation works for many, about thirty percent still have some discomfort, these patients are excellent candidates for the FAST procedure.”

The FAST procedure, or focused aspiration of soft tissue, is a minimally invasive procedure that requires no incisions and minimal downtime post procedure.   Dr. McConnell explains, “This procedure uses the probe the size of a toothpick guided by an ultrasound.  We can achieve the same results as open surgery for patients suffering from tennis elbow, jumper’s knee, swimmer’s shoulder, plantar fasciitis, Achilles strain and general tendon pain.  The response to this procedure from local athletes has been overwhelmingly positive.”

A clinical evaluation is used to determine if an athlete is a good candidate for the FAST procedure.  Dr. McConnell is the only orthopedic surgeon locally performing the FAST procedure.  To learn more, Click Here or call 843-284-5200 to schedule a consultation.

(MOULTRIE NEWS)

Will Lattimore ever play football again?

By now you’ve seen the horrific injury suffered by South Carolina star Marcus Lattimore during the Gamecocks’ win over Tennessee two weeks ago.

You’ve looked away from highlights only to later Google the video of Tennessee cornerback Eric Gordon hurtling himself at Lattimore’s knee, in a dangerous, but fairly routine football tackle.

His knee whipped around like a rubber band, and the injury has taken a top-rated NFL Draft prospect out of the game indefinitely.

Now what?

Will Lattimore play again for South Carolina? Will he ever play professionally? Will he ever be able to walk again?

The exact amount of damage is unclear, and the university is keeping a tight lid on its standout.

School officials announced Thursday that Lattimore had successful surgery the previous Friday, and that another surgery will not likely be needed. The news release added that several ligaments in his knee needed to be repaired, and there were no fractures or additional injuries.

What’s the diagnosis?

If you make a doctor cringe, it’s bad news.

Dr. Bright McConnell III, of Charleston Sports Medicine, has seen plenty of athletic-related injuries in decades of experience.

Like the rest of us who saw Lattimore’s injury, he cringed. Not good, Marcus.

Read The Entire Article–>

Click the link below to view the Barclays story about how important DEXA scans are becoming for professional athletes.

Dr. McConnell at Barclays

Still from the Barclays video

Follow these tips first to avoid injury!

The PGA is in town!  Along with the nationally televised golf tournament comes national attention for the Charleston area and local attention on the game of golf.    While many are enjoying watching the golf greats like Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson hit the ball, for some it is motivation to hit the links themselves.

Dr. Bright McConnell, III of Charleston Sports Medicine has treated golfers through the years on various injuries.   In fact, he recently spent time with PGA golfers in New Jersey performing DEXA scans.  These scans will arm these professionals with tools that will help perfect their swing and improve their game.

While thousands of people are fighting traffic to head to Kiawah and watch the golf greats, for many it will jumpstart their desire to play the game themselves.   Dr. McConnell of Charleston Sports Medicine has a few tips for those ready to hit the links.

Ready to Play Like a PGA Pro?

Remember…

1. Golf Injuries are more common than you think! The most common injuries:  Hand, Wrist Elbow and Back
2. Warm Up!  Warming up is crucial to getting your body prepared for a round of golf.
3. Watch that Grip! Incorrect Grip can cause wrist and elbow damage.
4. 4. Listen to your body!
5. Condition! Just like runner, golfer need to condition for their sport.  Focus on strengthening the rotator cuff, chest muscles and forearm muscles.

Dr. McConnell has been treating athletes in the Charleston area for more than 20 years.  For more information about Charleston Sports Medicine, log onto www.charlestonsportsmed.com or call 843.284.5200.

View the video that aired Friday July, 27 2012 about Dr. Bright McConnell, III performing the first FAST procedure in South Carolina below!

Dr. McConnell performs first FAST procedure.

(NEWS 2)

Over 10 million people in the United States are battling the pain of a soft tissue injury.  It can prevent them from living an active life. Usually, the problem is treated with remedies and medicines that only address the pain but do not address the source.

Read More Here –>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Local Orthopedic Surgeon performs First FAST Procedure in Charleston

FAST a new treatment option for tendon related injuries

Dr. Bright McConnell, III of Charleston Sports Medicine is the FIRST surgeon to perform the FAST procedure in Charleston.  Performed this week at Roper’s Mt. Pleasant Hospital, this procedure is a new advanced treatment that quickly and safely removes the source of tendon pain.   Based on technology developed in collaboration with the Mayo Clinic, The FAST procedure- Focused Aspiration of Scar Tissue- is a minimally invasive treatment option for tendon and soft tissue injuries, such as tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, jumper’s knee, Achiles tendonitis and plantar fasciitis.

“I am extremely pleased with the published results in patients treated with the FAST procedure, “ says Dr. McConnell.  “These results show patients have reported experiencing a nearly painless procedure, a quick recovery, and lasting pain relief.  I believe this new option will become a definitive treatment that removes the source of tendon pain.”

The entire FAST procedure is performed using local anesthetic to numb the area; patients are awake and alert the entire time.  During the procedure, conventional ultrasound imaging is used to identify the location of the scar tissue.  Once located, a small instrument-the size of a toothpick-is inserted into the damaged tendon.  The instrument delivers ultrasonic energy specifically designed to cut, break up, and remove damaged tissue safely and quickly, without disturbing the surrounding healthy tendon tissue.  The FAST procedure is also able to remove bone spurs at the affected joint that contributes to the patient’s pain or reduction in activity.

“Before tendon-related injuries were a common problem that did not have a good solution,” says Dr. McConnell.  “With the FAST procedure, I am able to intervene earlier in my patient’s care, change the nature of the disease, and get them back to their daily activities.”

Currently, over 10 million people in this country suffer from severe pain due to tendon scar tissue, which limits the range of motion and keeps them from living an active life.  Common treatment options such as rest, pain medication, cortisone injections, or physical therapy address the pain but not the damaged tissue, the source of the tendon pain.  An open surgical procedure removes the damaged tissue but carries the risk of invasive procedures, including damage to the surrounding healthy tissue and a lengthy recovery time with restricted activity.

Unlike conventional treatment methods, the FAST procedure replicates the goal of an open surgical procedure by removing the damaged tissue, but in a minimally invasive manner.  The procedure usually takes 15 minutes or less, requires only an adhesive bandage to close the microincision, and offers quick recovery time for patients.   “I am excited to be the first in Charleston to perform this procedure,” states Dr. McConnell, “It can be performed alone or in conjunction with PRP-Platelet Rich Plasma therapy. These minimally invasive therapies give patients an option for tendon pain.”

(NATIONAL NEWS NOW)

Cindy Cartmell says after hitting age 40, she found that her energy levels, sleep patterns and weight made huge shifts in the wrong direction.

“I had gone to my doctor, I had talked to my obstetrician a number of times over the year and just really could not find the key to success,” said Cartmell.

That was until she met with Dr. Bright McConnell – he specializes in targeting a women’s hormonal changes by taking a detailed evaluation of the patient through blood work and other tests and by using bio-identical hormone replacement therapy medication.

Read more and view the video

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Physician Keeps Players on the Field and out of the Operating Room

PRP is becoming a regular term in the baseball world. Bartolo Colon of the Oakland A’s and New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez are 2 MLB players to recently undergo the procedure.

As a result, Charleston Sports Medicine is seeing enormous interest in Platelet Rich Plasma therapy (PRP) among athletes. College of Charleston long relief pitcher, Nick Osterman, is one baseball player that is thankful he chose PRP over the traditional “tommyjohn” surgery. He states, “I threw a fast ball. I knew the instant I tore the ligament in my elbow that something was wrong. I consulted with Dr. Bright McConnell, III from Charleston Sports Medicine, and he suggested I try PRP instead of surgery.”

Less aggressive and less expensive than surgery, PRP therapy uses a patient’s own plasma to trigger a healing cascade. Unlike steroid injections for joint pain relief from injuries like torn ligaments, PRP is proven to actually heal injured tendons, ligaments and tissue. States Ostermann, “It is a great alternative to surgery. My velocity is back. I am throwing as hard as I was before.”

Charleston Sports Medicine specializes in the Orthobiologics treatment known as “platelet rich plasma” or PRP. PRP is blood plasma with concentrated platelets. Dr. McConnell explains, “The concentrated platelets found in PRP contain large reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors that are vital to initiate and accelerate tissue repair and regeneration. These bioactive proteins initiate connective tissue healing: bone, tendon and ligament regeneration and repair, promote development of new blood vessels, and stimulate the wound healing process.”

To prepare PRP, a small amount of blood is taken from the patient. The blood is placed in a centrifuge, which spins and automatically produces the PRP. The entire process takes less than 15 minutes and increases the concentration of platelets and growth factors up to 500%.

When PRP is injected under ultrasound guidance into the damaged area it stimulates the tendon or ligament, causing mild inflammation that triggers the healing cascade. As a result new collagen begins to develop. As this collagen matures it begins to shrink causing the tightening and strengthening of the tendons or ligaments of the damaged area.
Osterman recommends PRP for any athlete that wants to recover from an injury without a grueling recovery process. He states, “Without the PRP shot, I do not think I would be playing baseball right now. I have recommended it to a few of my teammates. It was less invasive, less expensive and got me back out on the field much quicker than traditional surgery.”