Dr. Thomas Gill and his co-authors Dr. Ben Heyworth and Kaitlin Carroll have their research study on concussions in high school athletes accepted for podium presentation at the 2014 American Orthopedic Society for Sports Medicine in Seattle, WA. The study is one of the first to highlight not only the recommended treatment and return to play criteria for high school athletes with concussions, but also the need for academic accommodations while the patient is recovering. The stress of academic studies and mental exertion can have a negative impact on patients with concussions, just as physical exertion can. Criteria for safe return to both sports and classes are presented.
By Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute 2014
Dr. Thomas Gill was named the “DePalma Orator” and graduation speaker for Thomas Jefferson University Department of Orthopedic Surgery commencement ceremonies. The title of his lecture was “Being a Team Physician”.
By Boston Sports Medicine & Research Institute 2014
When you walk into the Mass General Orthopaedics Sports Performance Center, it may look like a 3-D film studio. But it’s actually the new frontier in sports performance.
The new state-of-the-art facility was built to help athletes of all ages and abilities be the best they can be.
Nick Paicos practiced his golf swing in front of a virtual golf course. The staff apply sets of markers, representing each body part. Standing under infrared and high-speed video cameras, images are shot from every angle. The result? A 3-D motion analysis — Avatar technology meets sports medicine.
“We can measure specifically what’s happening with the body. We can look at the force in your knee when you swing a club, and by looking at all those specific biomechanic parameters, we can look at how you compensate for a particular weakness,” said Dr. Eric Berkson, the center’s director.
That data, combined with analysis from clinical experts in physical therapy, biomechanics and orthopaedics helps the athlete begin a regimen to recover from, or prevent injuries.
Landon Wahl pitches for his college team. His series of throws were recorded in 3-D.
“Hopefully if pitchers have any mechanical problems, they can analyze with this kind of technology and try to prevent injuries,” said Wahl. “This is probably going to be the next frontier in pitching mechanics.”
But the center envisions a lot more than injury prevention. Whether you’re a weekend warrior at golf, a pro-ball player or a little leaguer.
“This is a fantastic environment to see what about you makes you good, and hopefully we can figure out ways to help people excel better in whatever they do,” said Berkson. “When we promote a healthy training environment, we can help them succeed better.”
So far, programs have been designed for running, golf and baseball. They run anywhere from $300 to $1,200 and are not covered by insurance.
Tuesday afternoon, Barnstable High senior righthander Willie Nastasi went the distance in a 3-1 win over Taunton, striking out a career-high 16 batters in nine innings while allowing just three hits.
Can a pitcher tear his ulnar collateral ligament on one pitch? Is it true that Tommy John surgery to replace the ligament can make you a better pitcher? Two experts on Tommy John surgery — Dr. Luke Oh and Dr. Thomas Gill — talked about myths and realities of the procedure in separate interviews with The Eagle-Tribune.
Gill is accustomed to having Red Sox and Patriots and Bruins stop by his office, often without announcement and often during a consultation with a “regular’’ patient, medical research, or the thousand other things that occupy his time. Gill connects with all his patients, and he’s as competitive as the team he treats on the field.
