What is the role of an orthopedist in the prevention of performance-enhancing drug use?
Everyone who deals with athletes is a stakeholder in the issue of performance-enhancing drugs and can influence athletes in a positive or negative role. For example, an orthopedist who sees a patient with an unusual tendon rupture, such as a psoas or triceps should consider anabolic steroid abuse. Team physicians need to be aware of medical complications of performance-enhancing drugs. In addition, physicians need to police themselves. According to NCAA studies, approximately 15% of anabolic steroid users obtain them from a physician. There has been a proliferation of anti-aging clinics run by physicians that illegitimately prescribe drugs such as anabolic steroids and human growth hormone. These clinics are in fact well-disguised drug dealers. Physicians need to be part of the solution, not contribute to the problem. One of the most eloquent quotes on this matter was by Rica Reinisch who was a member of the East German 1980 Women s swimming team who was given anabolic steroids. She sa
