Baseball & Softball
Dr Blecher has extensive experience with baseball and softball players. He was an associate team physician for the MLB Cleveland Indians and provided pre-participation physical exams and practice and training room coverage for their spring training in Florida. He is now also the team physician for Los Angeles Valley College, College of the Canyons and Notre Dame High School. Common throwing injuries include rotator cuff injuries, stress fractures, little leaguer’s shoulder and tearing of the ulnar collateral ligament in the elbow which has become an epidemic of sorts and has lead to thousands of “Tommy John” surgeries. Luckily many of these surgeries can now be avoided with regenerative medicine treatments such as platelet rich plasma (“PRP”) and stem cell therapy. Dr Blecher has successfully returned injured pitchers to the major leagues with these surgery-sparing procedures.
Going into PRP I had no idea what to expect! I was told about this injection which takes your blood and sends it in a centrifuge and takes the plasma and platelets and separates the rest. The injection itself was kind of painful but something that of course can be tolerated. Well after I was cleared to do movements I started rehab with my athletic trainer. I started throwing not soon after, not going to lie I was very hesitant about throwing after the injection. I was really nervous, but at the same time I was very confident. The reason is I knew it would help me to get back to the field. So I finally got on the mound and started throwing a couple bullpens, felt good!!! After a couple of starts my velocity finally started to come back. My arm was finally getting into shape. Throughout the season I had no problem with it. Each start it felt great! I was throwing each ball with conviction! After the season was over I was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals!
Dear Dr. Blecher,
This is long overdue, but seeing how I am once again visiting you for yet another sports related injury, I thought it would be a good time to extend my thanks to you. Better late than never.
When I came to you last year with an injury on my shoulder, as well as my calf, you not only wanted to figure it all out, but your attention to detail as well as your desire to get me back on the field as fast and safe as possible, did not go unnoticed. I really appreciate how much you care and understand getting your patients back on the field.
As you know, I play ball for the National USA fast pitch softball team Maccabi USA, and if you didn’t get me back on the field as fast as you did, I would have never been able to go to Israel and win, Silver :-).
Thanks for caring about your patients the way you do.
All the best.