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Nonoperative treatment of ulnar collateral ligament injuries in throwing athletes.

Ulnar collateral ligament injury of the elbow in throwing athletes is a common occurrence, and either operative or nonoperative treatment is an option. The results of operative repairs and reconstructions have been well documented in the literature; however, little information has been reported on the outcome of nonoperative treatment. From 1994 to 1997, we evaluated 31 throwing athletes with ulnar collateral ligament injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine what percentage of athletes could return to their sport without surgical intervention and to identify factors that would predict return to full competition by an athlete treated nonoperatively. The factors studied included acute versus insidious onset of symptoms, the duration of symptoms before treatment, and age. Nonoperative treatment, which included a minimum of 3 months' rest with rehabilitation exercises, allowed 42% of the athletes in our study (N = 13) to return to their previous level of competition. Those who did return did so at an average of 24.5 weeks after diagnosis. No predictive findings obtained either through the patient's history or physical examination were found that would assist the clinician or athlete in predicting the success of nonoperative treatment.

Adolescent↗

Relationship between postconcussion headache and neuropsychological test performance in high school athletes.

BACKGROUND: The relevance of headache to outcome after sports-related concussion is poorly understood. HYPOTHESES: High school athletes reporting headache approximately 1 week after injury will have significantly more other concussion symptoms and will perform more poorly on neuropsychological tests than athletes not experiencing headache. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. METHODS: Study participants included 109 high school athletes who had sustained concussion and who were divided into two groups: those reporting headache 7 days after injury and those reporting no headaches. The two groups were compared regarding on-field markers of concussion severity at the time of injury and symptoms and neurocognitive test results collected via ImPACT, a computerized neuropsychological test battery and postconcussion symptom scale, at a mean of 6.8 days after injury. RESULTS: Athletes reporting posttraumatic headache demonstrated significantly worse performance on reaction time and memory ImPACT neurocognitive composite scores. These athletes also reported significantly more symptoms other than headache and were more likely to have demonstrated on-field anterograde amnesia. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that any degree of postconcussion headache in high school athletes 7 days after injury is likely associated with an incomplete recovery after concussion.

Adolescent↗

Knee function after anterior cruciate ligament injury in elite collegiate athletes.

BACKGROUND: Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are common in athletes, but there are few studies of long-term outcomes. HYPOTHESIS: Long-term knee function of anterior cruciate ligament-injured athletes is inferior to that of their uninjured teammates. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: Thirty-three Division I-A athletes who had sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury during their college career completed a series of questionnaires that assessed knee function and quality of life 2 to 14 years after injury. Their responses were compared with those of a matched cohort of their uninjured teammates. RESULTS: There were no differences in the mean Tegner scores, modified Lysholm scores, or in the scores of the SF-36 between groups. Sixteen anterior cruciate ligament-injured athletes scored A or B in the subjective portion of the International Knee Documentation Committee score and 17 scored C or D, whereas 24 control subjects scored A or B and 9 scored C or D, a statistically significant difference between groups. Five injured and 14 control athletes had participated at a professional or national team level after college. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life of elite collegiate athletes who sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury was not significantly different from that of their uninjured teammates, but knee function differed between groups.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries↗

Stress injuries to bone in college athletes: a retrospective review of experience at a single institution.

BACKGROUND: No comprehensive studies have been published on stress injuries to bone in college athletes. PURPOSE: To review, in a college athlete population, the epidemiologic aspects of stress injuries to bone, and to examine a subset of patients who were treated with a uniform protocol for return to activities, with magnetic resonance imaging as the primary tool for diagnosis. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective review. METHODS: Ten years of medical records from a Division I college institution were reviewed. Location and grade of stress injury to bone and duration of disability were recorded. All injured athletes followed the same treatment program, with the exception of football players, who were excluded from the return to sport analyses. RESULTS: Seventy-four athletes had lower extremity symptoms consistent with stress injury to bone. Diagnosis was confirmed in 68 of these athletes, 61 via magnetic resonance imaging, 6 via positive radiographs only, and 1 via bone scan only. Distance runners accounted for the most stress injuries to bone for both men and women. The tibia (37%) was the most frequently involved bone; however, as an anatomic region, the foot (44%) was the site of the most stress injuries. There was a significant correlation between grade of injury and time to full return to activity. CONCLUSIONS: The grading system used at this institution is a standardized tool that can be used to predict time to return to sport. A standardized rehabilitation protocol allowed for an appropriate plan to return the athletes to pain-free competition.

Adult↗

Sports activity after arthroscopic superior labral repair using suture anchors in overhead-throwing athletes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the results of arthroscopic repair of type II superior labral anterior posterior lesions of the shoulder in overhead athletes. HYPOTHESIS: Such repair is useful for overhead athletes in terms of postoperative sports activity. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: The study group was composed of 40 patients with a mean age of 24 years (range, 15-38 years); mean follow-up was 41 months (range, 24-58 months). They were divided into an overuse (n=22) and a trauma group (n=18). The authors used 2 suture anchors loaded with a nonabsorbable suture at the 11-o'clock and 1-o'clock positions through the anterosuperior and lateral trans-rotator cuff portal. A modified Rowe score and postoperative athletic activities were evaluated. RESULTS: After arthroscopic repair, mean modified Rowe scores improved from 27.5 to 92.1 points (P<.0001). Rated on this scale, the results were excellent in 30 (75%), good in 6 (15%), and fair in 4 (10%) athletes; there were no poor results. Satisfactory outcomes were achieved in 36 (90%) of these patients; 30 (75%) experienced a return to the preinjury level. The complete return rate of baseball players in the overuse group was lower than that of other overhead athletes in the trauma group. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic superior labral repair is a safe and reliable procedure in overhead athletes.

Adolescent↗

Medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow in throwing athletes.

BACKGROUND: Medial ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency of the elbow can be a devastating injury in the throwing athlete. Reconstruction of the medial ulnar collateral ligament was initially described by Jobe and associates; good clinical results have been described after this procedure. The authors' experience with this technique raised several concerns, and thus the "docking" procedure was developed as an alternative method for medial ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction of the elbow. The early results of the docking technique were good. The authors wish to investigate the intermediate-term clinical results of this method in a large group of athletes. HYPOTHESIS: The docking technique can return overhead-throwing athletes to sport with minimal perioperative morbidity. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: During a 3-year period, 100 consecutive overhead-throwing athletes were treated with surgical reconstruction using the docking technique. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) a history of medial elbow pain that prevented throwing, (2) a preoperative standard noncontrast magnetic resonance image demonstrating medial ulnar collateral ligament injury, (3) clinically apparent medial ulnar collateral ligament insufficiency, and (4) an overhead-throwing athlete. At the time of surgery, all patients underwent routine arthroscopic assessment. The ulnar nerve was transposed in 22 cases. The mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 24-60 months). RESULTS: Ninety of 100 (90%) patients were able to compete at the same or a higher level than before medial ulnar collateral ligament injury for more than 12 months as noted at the follow-up interval; 7 patients were able to compete at a lower level. Only 3 patients suffered postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The docking technique reliably returns athletes to competitive throwing with a low perioperative morbidity.

Adolescent↗

Weight training-related injuries in the high school athlete.

Eighty young athletes with weight training-related injuries were seen from August 1976 to August 1980. In 37 of the 80 athletes, it was difficult to pinpoint the cause of injury since the history revealed, in addition to weight training, either a program of running excessive mileage or participation in repetitive lap running in the gymnasium. The injuries of the remaining 43 athletes had a direct causal relationship to the weight training program. Twenty-nine developed lumbosacral pain. Seven of the 29 were hospitalized, and four required surgical treatment. Anterior iliac spine avulsion occurred in six cases, and laceration of the knee meniscus occurred as an initial injury in four athletes who required surgery. Four athletes developed a cervical sprain. Universal Gym (Cedar Rapids, IA), Leaper (Strength/Fitness Systems, Independence MO) Orthotron (Lumex Inc., Bay Shore, NY), and free weights were used either singly or in combination by these young athletes in weight training.

Adolescent↗

The prognosis of meniscectomy in athletes. The simple meniscus lesions without ligamentous instabilities.

This study analyzes patient participation in athletic activities after meniscectomy. Seventy simple meniscus lesions in 68 patients without ligamentous insufficiency were studied by means of a detailed questionnaire and clinical and radiological examinations. Follow-up ranged from 1 to 18.4 years, averaging 4.5 years. These cases are classified into two groups, depending on the intensity of athletic activities. Group 1 consisted of international class athletes and Group 2 consisted of both competitive and recreational athletes. None of those studied have given up sports following meniscectomy. Results were worse in Group 1 than in Group 2 in both clinical and subjective evaluation. In Group 1 volleyball players presented results worse than those of football (American style) players and wrestlers. In Group 2 there was no significant difference in results among athletes of various sports. We conclude that the results after meniscectomy are influenced by the quality and frequency of postoperative athletic activities.

Adolescent↗

Functional management of stress fractures in female athletes using a pneumatic leg brace.

Thirteen consecutive female athletes complaining of activity-induced lower extremity pain were evaluated. Ten of the 13 athletes had either an x-ray film or bone scan positive for stress fracture of the tibia or fibula. Three athletes with classic signs and symptoms of tibial stress fractures and negative x-ray films refused the bone scan. Three athletes had bilateral tibial stress fractures. The athletes were treated by the application of a pneumatic leg brace to the affected leg or legs. Following this, all 13 athletes were able to return to their sport and participate at a high level of competition with little or no symptoms.

Adolescent↗

The diagnosis of meniscal tears in athletes. A comparison of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging investigations.

This study evaluated the predictability of clinical examination alone in comparison with magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of meniscal tears in competitive athletes. Ninety-three competitive athletes were prospectively investigated between 1992 and 1995. A total of 57 athletes were operated on based on clinical examination alone, and the 36 remaining athletes had magnetic resonance imaging before surgery. The correct diagnosis of a meniscal lesion was made on clinical examination alone in 83 athletes (89%) and on magnetic resonance imaging the correct diagnosis was also made in 89% of 36 athletes. The overall values for the clinical investigation of the medial and lateral menisci combined were 94.5%, 91.5%, 99%, 96.5%, 87% for accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively. The overall values for magnetic resonance imaging of the medial and lateral menisci combined were 95.5%, 96.5%, 91.5%, 98%, 85.5% for accuracy, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, sensitivity, and specificity, respectively.

Adolescent↗

Cognitive behavioral stress management effects on injury and illness among competitive athletes: a randomized clinical trial.

Cognitive behavioral stress management (CBSM) has previously been found to reduce fatigue, depression, and cortisol response to heavy exercise training among competitive collegiate athletes and to speed physical and psychological recovery from surgery. Our study assessed the efficacy of a CBSM program to reduce the frequency of injury and illness among collegiate athletes in a randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial. Following assessment of baseline medical history, mood state, stress, cortisol, sleep, alcohol use, and exercise training, collegiate rowers were stratified by gender and competitive level and randomly assigned to either a control group or a CBSM group. Exercise training information and psychosocial assessments were repeated immediately following the intervention period, and health care providers who were blinded to participant assignment recorded the frequency of medical visits and the number of days injured or ill until the end of the season. Athletes randomly assigned to a CBSM group experienced significant reductions in the number of illness and injury days as compared to control group athletes. CBSM participants also had half the number of health service visits as did controls. The data suggest that a time-limited CBSM intervention designed specifically for an athlete population may be an effective prophylactic treatment to reduce the incidence of injury and illness among competitive collegiate athletes.

Adolescent↗

Epidemiological considerations of concussions among intercollegiate athletes.

The purpose of this study was to examine epidemiological trends of concussions among 15 different intercollegiate sports during the 1997-1998, 1998-1999, and 1999-2000 seasons. Data were collected using the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Injury Surveillance System (ISS). For the 15 sports studied during the 3 academic years, the NCAA ISS documented 3,535 team-seasons, 40,547 reportable injuries, 5,566,924 practice athlete exposures (AEs), and 1,090,298 game AEs. Concussions accounted for 6.2% of all reported injuries during this 3-year study. Of all the reported injuries, women lacrosse players (13.9%) reported the highest percentage of suffering a concussion during a game followed by women's soccer (11.4%), men's ice hockey (10.3%), men's lacrosse (10.1%), football (8.8%), women's basketball, (8.5%), field hockey (7.2%), men's soccer (7.0%), wrestling (6.6%), men's basketball (5.0%), baseball (4.2%), and women's volleyball (4.1%). Female athletes from all 7 sports were found to be at a lower risk for suffering concussions during practice sessions than the 8 male sports. However, female athletes were found to be at a greater risk for suffering concussions during games compared to male athletes. Injury trends over the 3- year period indicate concussions continue to be on the rise for athletes participating in collegiate football, men's soccer, and women's and men's basketball.

Adult↗

Cervical spinal stenosis with cord neurapraxia: evaluations and decisions regarding participation in athletics.

Cervical spinal cord neurapraxia (CCN) leads to transient episodes ranging from paresthesia to paresis to plegia (complete paralysis), and occurs in athletes with some demonstrable degree of cervical spinal stenosis. Determination of spinal stenosis requires demonstrating a sagittal diameter of the spinal canal less than 14 mm from C4 to C6. Because radiologic techniques vary affecting the accuracy of this measure, a ratio method was developed comparing the spinal canal to the vertebral body width, demonstrating that a ratio of less than 0.8 is indicative of cervical spinal stenosis. Although this has high sensitivity (93%), the low predictive value of 0.2% makes this a poor screening tool for athletic participation. Further complicating the challenge of determining which athletes are at risk for quadriplegia are data showing that athletes who suffered permanent injury did not recall transient episodes of CCN, and conversely none of the athletes with CCN later developed permanent neurologic injury. Nevertheless, 56% of football athletes returning to sport after an episode of CCN experienced a recurrence as determined by survey data. Those with CCN and documented ligamentous instability, magnetic resonance imaging evidence of cord defects or swelling, neurologic symptoms or signs for greater than 36 hours, or more than one recurrence have an absolute contraindication.

Athletic Injuries↗

Training issues in elite young athletes.

Over the past decade, there has been a surge in the number of sports opportunities available to young athletes. Although physicians, parents, and coaches should promote healthy activity and participation, intense training at a young age can predispose exuberant young athletes to certain difficulties. Elite young athletes are at risk for overuse and growth plate injuries in certain sports. Intense training combined with inadequate nutrition may cause growth delay in elite young athletes, but this delay does not appear to affect permanent adult height. Weight training, when done properly, is safe and effective for prepubescent and pubescent athletes. Awareness of neurobehavioral development can help guide the process for appropriate sports participation. Young athletes should be closely monitored for signs of excessive physical and emotional stress so that sports participation can be fun and rewarding.

Adolescent↗

Core stability measures as risk factors for lower extremity injury in athletes.

INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE: Decreased lumbo-pelvic (or core) stability has been suggested to contribute to the etiology of lower extremity injuries, particularly in females. This prospective study compares core stability measures between genders and between athletes who reported an injury during their season versus those who did not. Finally, we looked for one or a combination of these strength measures that could be used to identify athletes at risk for lower extremity injury. METHODS: Before their season, 80 female (mean age = 19.1 +/- 1.37 yr, mean weight 65.1 +/- 10.0 kg) and 60 male (mean age = 19.0 +/- 0.90 yr, mean weight 78.8 +/- 13.3 kg) intercollegiate basketball and track athletes were studied. Hip abduction and external rotation strength, abdominal muscle function, and back extensor and quadratus lumborum endurance was tested for each athlete. RESULTS: Males produced greater hip abduction (males = 32.6 +/- 7.3%BW, females = 29.2 +/- 6.1%BW), hip external rotation (males = 21.6 +/- 4.3%BW, females = 18.4 +/- 4.1%BW), and quadratus lumborum measures (males = 84.3 +/- 32.5 s, females = 58.9 +/- 26.0 s). Athletes who did not sustain an injury were significantly stronger in hip abduction (males = 31.6 +/- 7.1%BW, females = 28.6 +/- 5.5%BW) and external rotation (males = 20.6 +/- 4.2%BW, females = 17.9 +/- 4.4%BW). Logistic regression analysis revealed that hip external rotation strength was the only useful predictor of injury status (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.77, 0.097). CONCLUSION: Core stability has an important role in injury prevention. Future study may reveal that differences in postural stability partially explain the gender bias among female athletes.

Adolescent↗

Low-back pain in athletes.

While most occurrences of low-back pain in athletes are self-limited sprains or strains, persistent, chronic, or recurrent symptoms are frequently associated with degenerative lumbar disc disease or spondylolytic stress lesions. The prevalence of radiographic evidence of disc degeneration is higher in athletes than it is in nonathletes; however, it remains unclear whether this correlates with a higher rate of back pain. Although there is little peer-reviewed clinical information on the subject, it is possible that chronic pain from degenerative disc disease that is recalcitrant after intensive and continuous nonoperative care can be successfully treated with interbody fusion in selected athletes. In general, the prevalence of spondylolysis is not higher in athletes than it is in nonathletes, although participation in sports involving repetitive hyperextension maneuvers, such as gymnastics, wrestling, and diving, appears to be associated with disproportionately higher rates of spondylolysis. Nonoperative treatment of spondylolysis results in successful pain relief in approximately 80% of athletes, independent of radiographic evidence of defect healing. In recalcitrant cases, direct surgical repair of the pars interarticularis with internal fixation and bone-grafting can yield high rates of pain relief in competitive athletes and allow a high percentage to return to play. Sacral stress fractures occur almost exclusively in individuals participating in high-level running sports, such as track or marathon. Treatment includes a brief period of limited weight-bearing followed by progressive mobilization, physical therapy, and return to sports in one to two months, when the pain has resolved.

Athletic Injuries↗

Scintigraphic uptake of 99mTc at non-painful sites in athletes with stress fractures. The concept of bone strain.

Stress fractures are commonly found in athletes attending sports medicine clinics for diagnosis of lower limb pain. Plain radiographs are less reliable than the 99mTc bone scan for diagnosing stress fractures because of their low sensitivity. While the heightened sensitivity of the bone scan is advantageous as a diagnostic aid, the uptake of 99mTc at non-painful sites occurs frequently in the athlete. Although the clinical significance has not been determined, asymptomatic uptake may indicate bone remodelling as part of a continuum of adaptation to physical stress. It is not known whether athletes who have uptake of 99mTc in asymptomatic areas represent a separate population from those who do not. This study retrospectively reviewed the medical charts and bone scan reports of 320 athletes diagnosed as having stress fractures, to determine the frequency of asymptomatic focal uptake at sites other than the site of pain. This group was compared with the group who had no asymptomatic uptake on a number of demographic variables and physical findings. Asymptomatic focal uptake was found in 37.5% of athletes with the average number of sites being 1.8 per person. No significant differences between groups with focal asymptomatic uptake and groups with no asymptomatic uptake were found when compared for age, height, weight, mileage in runners, times to diagnosis and recovery, frequency of tenderness, swelling, trauma history, varus alignment, and x-ray abnormalities. It is concluded that asymptomatic uptake of 99mTc occurs frequently in athletes with stress fractures and there are no significant clinical differences between the group with asymptomatic uptake and the group without. It is suggested that symptomatic uptake of 99mTc represents the remodelling response of bone to physical stress.

Athletic Injuries↗

Common compartment syndromes in athletes. Treatment and rehabilitation.

Compartment syndromes in athletes are rare, but they can also be limb-threatening events. Chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS) is a less emergent form where symptoms recur with repetitive loading or exertional activities. CECS is the most common form of compartment syndrome seen in athletes. Acute compartment syndromes may also occur in athletes secondary to direct trauma or may develop from pre-existing CECS. The leg is by far the most common site of compartment syndrome in athletes. The thigh, forearm, and foot are the next most common sites, although any fascially limited compartment can be affected. Awareness of the clinical presentation and pathophysiology of compartment syndromes can help the examiner make a prompt and accurate diagnosis. The treatment of acute compartment syndrome is emergent while the treatment of CECS is not. Conservative treatment and rehabilitation can be successful in treating CECS. Acute compartment syndromes must be treated immediately with surgical decompression. With CECS, if conservative treatment fails, surgical decompression is also indicated. Some authors have suggested that the results of surgical fasciotomy and rate of return to sport for athletes with CECS has not been uniform. If the diagnosis is accurate and carefully documented, a high degree of success with athletes returning to sport can be expected.

Athletic Injuries↗