UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, February 4, 1997
3B
Stress fractures sideline athletes
Time to heal spans four to 12 weeks
Steve Puppe / KANSAN
Mary Corcoran/KANSAN
Kansas senior center Scot Pollard watches as his team plays Nebraska. Pollard suffered a stress fracture during a game Jan. 22 against Texas A&M. He is expected to be able to play in two and a half weeks.
By Emily Vrabac
Kansan staff writer
Stress fractures, such as the one Kansas center Scot Pollard has in his left foot, are not unusual for athletes.
Stress fractures are caused by changes in the bones' chemistry.
Pollard's stress fracture was discovered on Jan. 22, and he is expected to miss six or seven more games while undergoing treatments to decrease pain.
Stress fractures are most common in the foot and lower leg, said Lawrence Magee, sports medicine coordinator at Watkins Memorial Heath Center.
"Bones are constantly changing in that they break down to a certain extent because of stress being put on them," Magee said. "They're also continually restrethening."
Magee said stress fractures occurred more often in younger people because they tended to be more active.
"The bones are rather long and thin and, with repetitive stress, are very easily fractured when you're tall." Cainns said.
"Sometimes you can't find a reason why someone has a stress fracture."
Magee said that if breakdown occurred faster than the body could replenish the bone, a person would have a stress fracture.
Mark Cairns, Kansas basketball trainer, said Pollard's injury was not uncommon for people of his height.
He said some factors that caused this discrepancy included major increases in the length or intensity of an activity; a change in exercise surfaces; weight loss; and factors such as a person's physical shape.
Stress fractures are marked by pain that becomes worse as more pressure is applied, he said.
Such may be the case for Pollard. His stress fracture is in the third metatarsal, or the long bone, in his left foot.
"Despite all of that, sometimes you can't find a reason why someone has a stress fracture." Magee said.
Treatment consists mainly of avoiding pressure on the affected areas.
"The good news about stress fractures is that they respond well to treatment," Magee said.
He recommended people stay off fractures for anywhere from four to 12 weeks.
"We tell them to take pressure directly off the area, but we encourage them to do what they can," said Sandy Bowman, physical therapist at Watkins.
Cairns said Pollard was aiming to return for the team's final home game on Feb. 22 against Kansas State.
"Till put it in his terms," Cairns said. "It doesn't matter what the heck I tell him, he's going to play."
To recuperate, people with stress fractures often swim or use stationary bikes and rowing machines to stay in shape.
"It may not keep you in shape for running, but it can keep you up toward that level." Magee said. "You can't expect to ride a bike for six to eight weeks and run at the same level you were before."
Cairns said that in addition to using a stationary bike and lifting weights to keep his cardiovascular system in shape, Pollard also was undergoing bone stimulator treatment.
"It is an electrical device that shoots electromagnetic fields through his foot to stimulate capillary growth", Cairns said. "Capillary growth brings more blood to the area, and with more blood, you can heal the tissue faster."
Pollard also is wearing a special shoe with an orthotic device in the bottom, which takes pressure off the metatarsal area of his foot when he walks so that there is less pain.
"That boot really keeps him from doing anything," Cairns said. "And that's why we put it on him."
Tennis team loses games, maybe player
By Andy Rohrback
Kansan sportswriter
The status of Kansas women's tennis player Kylie Hunt still is questionable.
Hunt's absence was felt last weekend as the Jayhawks lost to two of the strongest teams in the country, Duke and William and Mary.
Kansas dropped 12 singles and six doubles matches in the two meets.
Coach Roland Thornquist said that his staff did not know what caused Hunt's injury.
The weekend would have been one of the toughest for the Jayhawks with Hunt, said Thornqvist. The team needed to learn how to compete without Hunt.
"one thing we can't do is let Kylie's absence be an excuse not to perform — we have a good enough team to compete with any other team in the nation as long as everyone carries their load." Thornovist said.
Physicians examined Hunt's knee yesterday, but results from a magnetic resonance image were not released.
Thornqvist said since the season was still young, the effect of Hunt's questionable playing status was too early to be determined.
"We're just into the season. We don't have a set lineup yet, but this weekend was not a good indicator," he said.
Kansas' No. 20 status may be in jeopardy because of the losses, but Hunt's injury will not be a factor. Thornqvist said.
"The ranking's going to be affected by how we play. To stay in the top 20 in the nation, you've got to beat people," he said.
Kansas will have a chance to do just that against Notre Dame and Syracuse Feb. 15 and 16.
Although Hunt probably will not return, Thornqvist remains confident about the meets.
Today's Birthday (Feb. 4)
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Today is an 8
Start this year by finishing whatever is left from the last one. A tough project teaches you valuable skills in April. Plan ahead this summer for a big excursion with friends next fall. A reunion could lead to romance with an old friend. An invention you are working on will take a while to perfect. Don't give up — this could bring you success and happiness. Use what you've learned to settle an old score in January.
Pay your taxes or other fees this morning. Once they are out of the way, you will be more creative. Other deadlines have to be met, too. You won't have much time for your pet projects until after the other stuff is done.
Pisceas (Feb. 19-March 20): Today is a 6
Older people will be a good source of information today. Talk over a problem and find out what you are doing wrong. Don't spend all your money on gifts for an icy intellectual You may have forgotten about expenses coming due soon.
Aries (March 21-April 19): Today is an 8
HOROSCOPES
A social gathering could produce a valuable business tip. Don't form a partnership, but a friendship should turn out fine. You may be attracted to a person who can help your career; be prepared for a challenging but interesting relationship.
Taurus (April 20-May 20): Today is a 5
You may be stuck in a stalemate with your boss. To make matters worse, you may be under pressure to learn something you don't even want to know. Talking with a group of good friends will help release your frustrations. Do it during lunch.
Gemini (May 21-June 21): Today is a 10
Cancer (June 22- July 22): Today is a 6
You have got a hidden advantage. You are just a little bit cooler today — more careful and more analytical. It will be hard to pull one over on you. Reach for something a little farther away than you have ever tried before. You are lucky, too.
Even within strict rules, you might find a way to do something nobody else thought possible. Talk about your goals with a friend who knows more about business than you do. In romance, tell the one thing you have been holding back about money.
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22): Today is an 8
If the problem has never been solved before, it requires a solution that has never been tried. Don't wait too long. Most conditions are in your favor, but hard work also is necessary. If you are looking for a new love, consider an old partner.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Today is a 6
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 23): Today is an 8
If you are struggling with a new program, take heart. It should start getting easier soon. This is a good evening to listen. A friend may be having problems. If the situation is financial, don't offer money. Give plenty of free advice instead.
If there is something you have been putting off, do it now. It may be easier than you thought. You are incredibly lucky in love. Ask for whatever you want, including a commitment. Use reason and logic to calm an impetuous friend's fears.
Scorpio (Oct. 24-Nov. 21): Today is a 6
A problem at home is most likely due to stubbornness. Listen to the other person's opinion, even if you already know you won't agree. Although a romance with a co-worker might be fun, it probably won't last long.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Today is an 8
Stick with one who understands you better.
You are brilliant again today. Learn something that will bring you security as well as happiness, if you need more money, take a class. The more you know, the more valuable you are to others and the better you feel about yourself.
Capricorn [Dec. 22-Jan. 19]: Today is a €
If you buy a new gadget today, you will make a good decision. You will spend a lot of money, too. To avoid an awkward situation, also get something nice for somebody you love. This isn't on sale right now, but it is worth the expense.
NOTE: Horoscopes have no basis in scientific fact and should be read for entertainment only.
CAMP OZARK
- Is a Christian Sports and Adventure camp
- is a Christian Sports and Adventure camp
for kids ages 8-16.
• is located in beautiful central Arkansas
in the heart of the Ovachita National
Forest's Lake and Mountain region.
• Has 440 campers, boys and girls in each
across the country.
- Has over 70 activities in four major
of 5 two-week sessions throughout the summer.
*Hires 200 college students from over 40 colleges and universities
areas of camp including sports, adventure.
WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS SUMMER?
Incomparable
sketball to rock climbing,to dance.
creative skills, and water: everything from
CAMP THE NATION'S PREMIER SUMMER CAMP
to waterskiing, and tons more!
*Employs students for all or part of the summer.
*Looks for people who want to have a blast and absolutely, positively
LOVE KIDSI
VIDEO PRESENTATION
WEDNESDAY, FEB 5
8:30 P.M.
JAYHAWK ROOM
KANSAS UNION
Be There!
MAKE A DIFFERENCE
dIsToRteD
ImAge
AFreePublicForum Regarding Eating Disorders
Featuring-
Kathryn Zerbe,MD Dr.Zerbe is a psychiatristrecognized internationally for her expertise in women's mental health and the comprehensive treatment of eating disorders. She is author of The Body Betrayed: Women, Eating Disorders, and Treatment.
Mae S. Sokol, MD Dr. Sokolis a child and adolescent psychiatrist with the Eating Disorders Program at Menninger. She also conducts clinical research on pharmacological interventions for eating disorders.
When: Thursday,February 6,1997
7:30pm
Where: SeeleyConferenceCenter Menninger 58005W5ixthAvenue Topeka,KS6601
Menninger