Hand and upper extremity orthopedic surgeon Alejandro Badia, MD, offered injury prevention tips for cyclists.
According to Dr. Badia, director of the Doral, Fla.-based Badia Hand to Shoulder Center as well as CEO and CMO of Miami-based OrthoNOW, most overuse injuries can be managed conservatively.
Dr. Badia says cyclists can minimize their risk of injury by:
- Adhering to the rules of the road
- Using roads marked with bike lines
- Equipping bikes with reflective materials and wearing brightly-colored clothes to maximize visibility
- Having the bike serviced professionally at least once a year
- Avoiding headphones or other distracting devices
- Riding with back straight and elbows bent
- Avoiding over-cycling
"Above all, wear a helmet, because head, neck and facial trauma are the true dangers of cycling," Dr. Badia said. "Head and facial injuries account for nearly 50 percent of cyclist visits to hospital emergency departments. Most such incidents could be prevented with a helmet."