Injured Rays’ Players Create Opportunities

March 29, 2012 - PRLog -- Injuries to Tampa Bay Rays’ center fielder B.J. Upton and outfielder Sam Fuld have opened up an opportunity for several non-roster players.

Upton has not played since injuring his lower back in a collision with Desmond Jennings on March 14 and will begin the season on the disabled list.  Upton describes the issue as soreness and tightness in his lower back.  "It won't loosen up," he said.  The plan right now is for Upton to simply rest his back.

Last week Fuld learned through an MRI that the sheath surrounding a wrist tendon was stretched, allowing the tendon to slip out of place.  He is scheduled next week to see Thomas Graham, M.D. at the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion and could undergo surgery.  Fuld said he would know more about the timetable for a return after the surgery.  He hurt the wrist last September in Baltimore.

Rays’ management is looking at infielder Will Rhymes and outfielders Jesus Feliciano and Jeff Salazar to fill the positions until Upton and Fuld return.


Dennis Lox, M.D., a sports, physical and regenerative medicine specialist in the Tampa Bay-area, points out that regenerative medicine techniques, such as platelet-rich plasma and/or stem cell therapy, have been used by many professional athletes to treat musculoskeletal injuries.  

According to Dr. Lox, based on the public reports, it cannot be determined if a regenerative medicine technique is appropriate or not in Upton’s or Fuld’s specific situation, but the application of platelet-rich plasma and stem cell technology is growing in use and acceptance, not only among sports professionals, but everyday citizens as well.  These regenerative medicine techniques could help injuries heal more quickly and could possibly help avoid surgery.


http://www.DrLox.com

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Dennis M. Lox, M.D. is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Since 1990, he has used sports medicine techiques and cutting-edge technology to help heal musculoskeletal injuries and relieve pain.