New York Orthopaedic Surgeon Warns About the Dangers of Steroids
As a result of the intense competition to enter professional sports, more and more high school and college athletes are using steroids to get a competitive edge in their sport. It is estimated that 4 – 12% of high school males have used steroids and that 15 – 20% of college athletes use steroids.
Steroids prevent natural muscle breakdown and causes increased muscular growth. Anabolic steroids mimic testosterone in the body and may improve endurance, strength and muscle mass, says Kevin Plancher M.D., Head of Plancher Orthopaedics in Manhattan. Unfortunately, most users do not realize the potential harmful side effects of steroids.
Anabolic steroids are drugs that resemble the chemical structure of the body’s natural sex hormone testosterone, which is made naturally by the body. Testosterone directs the body to produce or enhance male characteristics such as increased muscle mass, facial hair growth, and deepening of the voice, and is an important part of male development during puberty .
When anabolic steroids increase the levels of testosterone in the blood, they stimulate muscle tissue in the body to grow larger and stronger, Dr. Plancher stated. However, the effects of too much testosterone circulating in the body can be harmful over time.
Adverse Effects Of Steroids: Premature balding, mood swings, nausea and vomiting, trembling increased risk of tendon ruptures, shortening of final adult height, acne and oily hair.
Males Are Specifically At Risk For: Testicular shrinkage, breast development and nipple enlargement medically known as gynecomastia, impotence, sand sterility.
Females Are At Risk For: Facial hair, breast shrinkage, menstrual cycle changes, enlarged clitoris, male-pattern baldness, deepening of the voice and problems with fertility.
Mental Effects Of Steroids: “Roid rage, which is severe, aggressive behavior that may result in violence, such as fighting or destroying property, irritable moods, severe mood swings, hallucinations, paranoia, anxiety and panic attacks as well as depression and thoughts of suicide.
These are potentially serious side effects which may not be reversible, adds Dr. Plancher.
The long term effects of steroids are not entirely known. Steroids can be addictive and people may have a hard time stopping their use. Young people who use steroids are more likely to use other addictive drugs and alcohol.
Finally, Dr. Plancher emphasizes, “using steroids at any age is not smart”. Young athletes should understand that trying steroids is a bad way to improve performance. The best way to improve performance is through regular conditioning, intense practice and a healthy diet.
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Joseph M. Ajdinovich, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2016-2017
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bonutti Clinic & HSHS St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital
Effingham, IL
Jeffrey T. Alwine, D.O.
Fellowship Year 2013-2014
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Guthrie Corning Hospital, Guthrie Robert Packer Hospital, Guthrie Troy Community Hospital
Corning, New York / Troy, Pennsylvania
Shariff K. Bishai, M.S., D.O.
Fellowship Year 2006-2007
Post Fellowship: Partner, Associated Orthopedists of Detroit
St. Claire Shores, MI
Peter B. Blank, D.O.
Fellowship Year 2005-2006
Post Fellowship: Owner, New Jersey Center for Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine
Basking Ridge, NJ
David B. Dickerson, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2008-2009
Post Fellowship: Owner, Performance Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine
Shrewsbury / Tom’s River, New Jersey
Albert S.M. Dunn, D.O.
Fellowship Year 2013-2014
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Precision Orthopaedic Specialties, Inc.
Chardon, Ohio
Eric D. Fornari MD
Pediatric Sports Medicine
Montefiore Medical Center | 3400 Bainbridge Avenue, 6th Floor, Bronx, NY 10467
Monet A. France, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2012-2013
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, CareMount Medical
Fishkill, New York
Mary Ann Gardner, M.D., Lieutenant Commander, Medical Corp, USNR
Fellowship Year 2007-2008
Post Fellowship: Department of Surgery at James A. Haley Veteran’s Hospital
Tampa, Florida
Michael J. Kaplan, MD
Advanced Knee Reconstruction and Sports Medicine
Active Orthopaedics P.C. | 1579 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762
Harish Kempegowda, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2018-2019
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Horizon Health
Paris, Illinois
Bradley J. Lawson, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2010-2011
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Advanced Orthopedics of Oklahoma
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Sheryl L. Lipnick, D.O.
Fellowship Year 2008-2009
Post Fellowship: Physician, The Center for Sports Orthopaedics, S.C
Hoffman Estates / Carol Stream, IL
Timothy A. Luke, M.D.
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Minimally Invasive Spine
Fellowship Year 2003-2004
Phoenix, Arizona
Marc J. Philippon, MD
Complex & Advanced Hip Arthroscopic Procedures
Steadman Clinic / Steadman Surgical Skills Lab | 181 West Meadow Drive, Suite 400, Vail, CO 81657
Pedro A. Piza, M.D.
Post Fellowship: Physician, Tenet Florida Physician Services
Fellowship Year 2004-2005
Delray Beach / Boca Raton, Florida
Kevin D. Plancher, MD, MPH
Fellowship Director – Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, and Arthroplasty
Plancher Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine | 1160 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128
Bioskills Cadaver Lab | 345 East 37th Street, Suite 312, NY, NY 10016
Alberto R. Rivera-Rosado, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2009-2010
Post Fellowship: Owner, Rivera Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
Coamo, Puerto Rico
William I. Sterett, MD
Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, Arthroplasty, and Acute Trauma
Vail Summit Orthopaedics | 108 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657
William W. Stewart, M.D.
Fellowship Year 2012-2013
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Mercy Clinic Orthopedic Surgery
Edmond, Oklahoma
Francesca M. Swartz, D.O.
Fellowship Year 2010-2011
Post Fellowship: Orthopedic Surgeon, Orthopedic Specialists of SW Florida
Fort Meyers, Florida
Seth R. Miller, MD
Shoulder Reconstruction and Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) / 6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831
Paul M. Sethi, MD
Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, and Shoulder Arthroplasty
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) / 6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831
William D. Murrell, MD
Fellowship Year 2021-2022
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Gardner Orthopaedics and Sports Medicine/Institute for Mobility and Longevity
Ft. Meyers, FL
Tyler J. Brolin MD
Complex Shoulder Arthroplasty & Reconstruction, and Sports Medicine
Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics / 1400 S. Germantown Road, Germantown, TN 38138
Thomas B. Evely, DO
Fellowship Year: 2020-2021
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, University of Alabama (UAB);
Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Heersink School of Medicine
Birmingham, Alabama
Clifford Voigt, MD
Fellowship Year 2021-2022
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, SUNY Downstate Medical Center
Brooklyn, NY
Karthikeyan Chinnakkannu, MD
Fellowship Year: 2020-2021
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Bronx Care Health System
Bronx, New York
Erik Carlson, MD
Shoulder Reconstruction, and Sports Medicine
Active Orthopaedics P.C. / 1579 Straits Turnpike, Middlebury, CT 06762
Marc S. Kowalsky, MD
Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) / 6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831
Rachel M. Frank, MD
Sports Medicine and Cartilage Regeneration
CU Sports Medicine Center / 2000 S. Colorado Blvd., The Colorado Center Tower One, Suite 4500, Denver, CO 80222
CU Sports Medicine & Performance Center / 2150 Stadium Drive, Boulder, CO 80309
Orthopedics-Anschutz / 1635 Aurora Court, 4th Floor, Aurora, CO 80045
Max N. Seiter, MD
Shoulder, Hip and Knee Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, and Acute Trauma
Vail Summit Orthopaedics / 108 S Frontage Rd W, Vail, CO 81657
Demetris Delos, MD
Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, and Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) / 6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831
Armando F. Vidal, MD
Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, Sports Medicine, and Acute Trauma
The Steadman Clinic / 181 West Meadow Drive, Suite 400, Vail, CO 81657
Lauren M. Fabian, MD
Shoulder, Knee & Elbow Reconstruction and Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic Specialty Group (OSG) / 305 Black Rock Turnpike, Fairfield, CT 06825 and 762 River Road, Shelton, CT 06484
R. Tim Greene, MD
Complex Hip Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine
Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists (ONS) / 6 Greenwich Office Park, Greenwich, CT 06831
Peter J. Millett, MD, MSc
Knee & Shoulder Reconstruction, Shoulder Arthroplasty, and Sports Medicine
The Steadman Clinic / 181 West Meadow Drive, Suite 400, Vail, CO 81657
Jaya Shanmugam, M.D.
Fellowship Year: 2019-2020
Post Fellowship: Orthopaedic Surgeon, Pratt Regional Medical Center
Pratt, Kansas
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