Baseball injuries continue to rise at an alarming rate, however, the types of injuries have evolved over the last several years despite our best attempts.
We used to see chronic and degenerative injuries in older players. Injuries today are happening more commonly in younger baseball pitchers, and are often more traumatic than the past.
There’s a lot of debate as to why this is evolving, but regardless, how we manage these injuries must also change.
In this episode of The Sports Physical Therapy Podcast, I’m joined by Kevin Wilk. There probably isn’t anyone else on this planet that has witness the evolution of these baseball injuries more than Kevin.
Show Notes
Dr. Kevin Wilk has lead a distinguished career as a clinical physical therapist for the past 37 years, as a leading authority in rehabilitation of sports injuries and orthopedic lesions. He has been significant contributions to laboratory research, biomechanical research and clinical outcome studies.
Kevin Wilk has been a physical therapist, researcher and educator for over 32 years. Kevin is currently Associate Clinical Director for Champion Sports Medicine (a Select Medical Facility) in Birmingham, AL. In addition, he is the Director of Rehabilitative Research at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birmingham and is Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Program at Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI. Kevin is also the Rehabilitation Consultant for the Tampa Bay Rays’ Baseball Team, and has worked with the Rays for 18 years. Kevin has worked with professional baseball for 29 years, and with the Rays since the organization started. Dr Wilk received his physical therapy from Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago, IL., and his DPT from Massachusetts General Hospital Institute of HealthCare Professions in Boston, MA.
Dr. Wilk has published over 170 journal articles, over 115 book chapters and has lectured at over 900 professional and scientific meetings. Kevin is on the review boards of 9 journals. Dr Wilk has received numerous professional awards. In 2012, was inducted into the Sports Section Blackburn Hall of Fame. Later that same year he was awarded the APTA Catherine Worthingham Fellowship – the highest honor given to an APTA member. Kevin stated he was humbled & tremendously honored to receive these two prestigious recognitions. In 2004, Kevin received the prestigious Ron Peyton Award for career achievement from the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA. He has received the James Andrews Award for achievement in the area of Baseball science. Kevin was an Honored Professor at several Universities and has given Grand Rounds at numerous medical facilities and has lectured internationally. He has edited 9 textbooks, The Athletes’ Shoulder (2nd Edition), Rehabilitation of the Injured Athlete (3rd Ed.), Injuries in Baseball, Sports Medicine of Baseball, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation(2nd Ed.) Handbook of Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (2nd Ed.), and The Orthopaedic Toolbox (2nd Ed. ). The Use of Aquatic in Orthopeadics & Sports Medicine Rehabilitation & Physical Conditioning.
Kevin has served as President of the Sports Section of the APTA from 6/2007 till 6/2010, and has served as Vice-President, Education Program Chairman and Editor of the Home Study Course for the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA for 7 years previously and has served on numerous committees for the APTA. In 2015, Kevin received a tremendous honor when the Sports Physical Therapy Section of the APTA named the traveling fellowship after him.
- Website
- Instagram: Wilk_Kevin
