Sports Medicine
Wheeling Hospital and Dr. Derrick Eddy are at the forefront in the prevention and treatment of sports injuries for athletes of all levels and abilities.
Dr. Eddy, a board-certified physician in both sports medicine and pediatrics, treats patients suffering not only from sports injuries, but from all varieties of joint and muscle pain. He is specially trained to help his patients maximize their function and minimize disability and time away from home, work or school. He has experience treating joint and muscle pain in patients of all ages.
Services provided include:
- injections for osteoarthritis
- treatment of all muscle and bone injuries
- concussion treatment
- nutrition and supplement information
- strength training and conditioning
- exercise regimens to increase fitness
- casting and splinting
- gait and throwing analysis
- autologous platelet grafts for tissue injury
- prolotherapy
ImPACT Testing
Wheeling Hospital continues to be the leader in the area of concussion testing through its ImPACT program. The program monitors the status and recovery of anyone suffering a concussive-type head injury. It is the same program used by the NFL and the National Hockey League, as well as many colleges and high schools nationwide.
ImPACT, or Immediate Post-Concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing, is a computer software program that analyzes the cognitive functions of the brain following concussion. Done in conjunction with the physician evaluation, objective data is obtained to assess memory, sequencing, reaction time and visual motor speed. This is the same program used by the National Football League and the National Hockey League to aid in the assistance of post-concussion athletes. Physicians from the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center have spearheaded the project on an international level.
Contact and collision sports (football, soccer, hockey, wrestling, basketball) participants are encouraged to participate in the free baseline testing. Although baseline testing is not a requirement, it is highly recommended so that if a concussion occurs, the data can be compared to the individual's preinjury performance. The combination of the physician evaluation and cognitive testing are used in determining return to participation in sport.
Program staffers keep records of all results and work in conjunction with the patient's treating physician to help athletes return to play.
The test data, along with the clinical evaluation, helps assist in the ‘return-to-play’ decision-making process for each individual, as opposed to following a national guideline.
Contact:
For more information, call 304-243-3317.
PRP Therapy
Wheeling Hospital’s Dr. Derrick Eddy now provides the platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy to patients of all ages. The therapy, which has been used by members of the Pittsburgh Steelers, can improve chronic ailments such as knee tendonitis, rotator cuff tears, shin splints and other similar types of injuries.
PRP therapy is blood plasma with concentrated platelets that contain huge reservoirs of bioactive proteins, including growth factors vital to initiating and hastening tissue repair and regeneration. A couple of tablespoons of the patient’s blood are placed in a centrifuge, and the red blood cells separate from the platelets. When finished, the concentration of platelets left is 3 to 10 times that in normal blood, and contains proteins and other particles that help the body’s self-healing process.
When the concentrated platelets are injected into the injury site, they jumpstart the body’s ability to grow new soft tissue or bone cells to repair muscle. Platelets are known for causing clotting, but PRP injections are delivered to ligaments and tendons, where blood rarely goes, so there is no danger of clotting.
For tendon or ligament injury where traditional methods have not provided relief, the non-surgical PRP therapy may be the answer. It less aggressive than surgery, and less expensive. It heals tissue with minimal or no scarring, and alleviates additional tissue degeneration.”
PRP can be used to treat sports injuries, arthritic joints, lower back, degenerative disc disease and more specific injuries such as tennis elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, ACL tears, shin splints, rotator cuff tears, plantar fascitis and iliotibial band syndrome.
Contact:
For more information, call 304-243-8630.