Golf season is in full swing, and while golf is a relatively safe sport, injuries can still happen. Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham say that, by following a few simple tips, golfers can reduce their risk of injury.

Anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, injuries are one of the most common among athletes. Each year, approximately 150,000 ACL injuries occur in the United States, particularly in sports that involve cutting, pivoting and jumping — such as soccer, basketball, football and skiing.

In 2021, Natalie Ryals, 20, playfully jumped off some stairs, something she had done many times before. Later that day, Ryals gradually started noticing some pain in her knee. As the weeks continued, the gradual pain turned into radiating pain, numbness and tingling in her foot. She soon experienced limited mobility in her knee and began to develop low back pain. Ryals began using a knee brace and crutches on a regular basis to be able to move around throughout her daily life.

When you have an injury or procedure that affects how well you move, specialty care improves recovery and performance. UAB Medicine Physical Therapy at Dunnavant Valley is our newest clinic, providing Sports & Exercise Medicine services, physical therapy and rehabilitation for athletes and non-athletes alike. Whether you sprained your ankle playing basketball, had shoulder surgery, or just want to move better, we can help.

Each year, UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center (SRC) selects a patient, former patient, or their family member for its Ambassador of Hope Award. This special honor goes to an individual with a disability or their family member whose courage and determination inspire hope in others facing the challenges of disability. UAB Medicine employee Darryl Walker is the 2024 recipient of the award.

Each year, hundreds of patients visit the Amputee Clinic at UAB Spain Rehabilitation Center to be fit for prostheses after complications of diabetes, motor vehicle accidents and a wide range of other conditions. A new grant from UAB’s Health Services Foundation-General Endowment Fund awards program is funding the purchase of an advanced 3D printer that will allow those patients to receive their prostheses faster, at lower cost and with an even better fit, says the clinic’s director, Conley Carr, M.D. The printer will also produce custom orthoses for UAB patients needing braces after a stroke or other condition, he adds.

As patients walk through the halls in the University of Alabama at Birmingham Spain Rehabilitation Center, they may encounter UAB’s newest canine colleague — a 2-year-old golden retriever named Topgun. Topgun is UAB’s first facility dog. He joined the SRC team in May and has already become a favorite among UAB Medicine patients and employees.

Walking is an everyday activity that offers numerous benefits. It is accessible to almost everyone and can improve both mental and physical health. Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have studied the benefits of walking and provide five tips to get started.

Organized sports can be a great way for children to get active while learning important life skills such as teamwork, time management and perseverance. While parents can be involved in their children’s sports, one University of Alabama at Birmingham pediatric psychologist says that a parent who focuses too much on the outcome and mistakes made can make sports stressful and not enjoyable for their children.

UAB Hospital has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery (ACSS) by demonstrating continuous compliance with its performance standards. The Gold Seal is a symbol of quality that reflects a health care organization’s commitment to providing safe and effective patient care.

People who’ve had a stroke often need physical therapy as part of their recovery. Though most are age 65 or older, high-intensity gait training can be the fastest way for these patients to regain their ability to walk.

The Specialty Clinics of UAB Hospital at UAB Medical West are now accepting adult patients of all ages for non-emergency care. Staffed by experienced and compassionate UAB Medicine doctors, nurses, and other professionals, these clinics are located on the 6th floor of the UAB Medical West medical office building (MOB) in Bessemer, Ala.