Bringing with them significant expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of GIRD (Glenohumeral Internal Rotation Deficit) in the arms and shoulders of baseball pitchers, two Lexington, Kentucky-based sports-medicine experts have been invited to attend the Houston Astros' spring training camp in Kissimmee, Florida in mid-March.

Both Dr. W. Ben Kibler, Medical Director, and Aaron Sciascia, a Staff Certified Athletic Trainer for the Lexington Clinic Sports Medicine Center will be working with the Astros’ medical staff on decreasing the negative effects that GIRD can have on the arms and shoulders of baseball pitchers when they are throwing overhead. Dr. Kibler explained, “When a pitcher repeatedly throws a baseball overhead, the muscles and tendons tighten up in the shoulder and in the back of the arm, causing the amount of rotation that can be achieved to be decreased. This lack of rotation places unnecessary load and stress on the surrounding tissues of the shoulder which, in many cases, lead to injury.” While they are on location at the Astros' camp, Dr. Kibler and Sciascia will work with the team’s medical staff on how to measure for the internal rotation deficit and on laying the necessary foundations to perform a cooperative study with the Astros’ pitching staff, where GIRD will be examined throughout the season.

How did the Lexington Clinic duo end up in Florida? According to Dr. Kibler, “We’ve been the team physicians for the Legends organization since their first season in the Bluegrass—back in 2001. It is an exciting partnership and one we all really enjoy! The Astros’ regularly invite doctors for their minor league teams to their spring training session. Additionally, they are interested in participating in our GIRD study, which has also included high school and college pitchers.” Alan Stein, CEO of the Lexington Legends, noted, “One of the first things we learned in our relationship with the Astros and Major League Baseball was how seriously they took the players’ health and treatment. We were required to find local doctors of the highest and best reputation to work with the Astros’ medical staff. In Lexington, Kentucky, that was easy because we had nationally heralded Dr. Ben Kibler and his team right here in our own backyard. The Astros were thrilled!”