Description
The presentation by Dr. Lennard Funk delves into the complexities of shoulder injuries in overhead athletes. Initially, he humorously likens surgical practices to witchcraft, highlighting the significant role of the placebo effect in patient care. Funk stresses the importance of ethical practice, particularly in obtaining consent for any visual documentation of patients used in his teaching materials. He introduces his discussion by referencing a comprehensive book on sports shoulder management, showcasing contributions from global experts in the field.
Funk categorizes different types of overhead athletes, emphasizing that their injuries, while similar, vary in specifics. He discusses the various potential causes of shoulder pain in athletes, including impingement syndromes, scapular dyskinesis, and the role of both static and dynamic stabilizers in shoulder function. Funk stresses the necessity of treating both muscular and capsular imbalances to achieve optimal recovery outcomes.
Throughout the talk, he provides case studies illustrating the subtle nuances in diagnoses, especially in younger athletes. He stresses the significance of tailored rehabilitation exercises specific to the athlete's sport and emphasizes foundational core stability before any surgical interventions. Finally, Funk shares his insight on non-surgical options, including targeted steroid injections for inflammation management, and summarizes the challenges and low rates of return to pre-injury sports levels after surgeries for chronic conditions.
In conclusion, Funk reaffirms the ethical responsibility of medical professionals to care for their patients holistically, beyond just addressing the immediate physical ailments.