
Episode #11
“A Ticking Time Bomb.” - ACL, Achilles & Youth Sports Injuries | Dr. Nirav Pandya • 011
Why are ACL tears, Achilles ruptures, and serious sports injuries appearing in younger athletes? Anthony Woods sits down with UCSF pediatric orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Dr. Nirav Pandya for a wide ranging conversation about sports injuries, surgery, recovery, youth athletics, and athlete health. Dr. Pandya explains why ACL surgery is different for growing athletes, how surgeons choose ACL grafts, why younger athletes typically use their own tissue instead of cadaver tissue, and why female athletes experience ACL injuries at higher rates. They also discuss Jimmy Butler’s ACL injury, Achilles ruptures in younger professional athletes, Moses Moody’s patellar tendon injury, the demands modern sports place on the body, and why early sports specialization may contribute to injury risk. Dr. Pandya also shares his personal journey from Chicago track athlete to medical school, orthopedic surgery residency, and pediatric sports medicine. For coaches, athletes, parents, and sports fans, this episode provides an easy to understand look at what is actually happening inside the body when athletes get hurt and what can help athletes stay healthy. Dr. Pandya’s biggest advice for young athletes is simple: play multiple sports when possible, sleep, eat well, build strength, and tell someone when something hurts. Follow Dr. Nirav Pandya on X: @DrNiravPandya https://x.com/DrNiravPandya Subscribe to Dr. Nirav Pandya’s Podcast https://peds-ortho.simplecast.com/ Follow UrAvgCoach on X: @UrAvgCoach Podcast X: @UrAvgCoachPod https://x.com/UrAvgCoachPod YouTube: UrAvgCoach Podcast



