Symptomatic hip plica: MR arthrographic and arthroscopic correlation

Two cases of unilateral hip pain are reported in which MR arthrography demonstrated a prominent band medial to the ligamentum teres, running in the AP direction, consistent with a hip plica. Both patients underwent hip arthroscopy with resection of the band. No labral tear or additional intra-articular pathological features was identified in either case. Both patients became asymptomatic following surgery and have remained such. The pathology report demonstrated the specimens to be a synovial band with fibroconnective tissue. This is the first MR arthrographic report of the identification and resection of a symptomatic hip plica. The symptomatic plica may represent an alternative diagnosis for mechanical hip pain.

Osteopathic diagnosis of an acetabular injury

Physical findings demarking pathologic somatovisceral reflex activity and fascial strain patterns may lead the osteopathic physician to diagnoses that are masked within the initial presentation of a patient. The authors present a case report that demonstrates the use of osteopathic principles in the diagnosis of a chronic acetabular fracture and acetabular labral tear in a 19-year-old man. The injuries resulted from a posterior hip dislocation sustained during a basketball game more than 1 year before presentation. Osteopathic manipulative treatment and diagnostic techniques also relieved the patient's persistent thoracic pain, nausea, and vomiting. Subsequent orthopedic repair had the potential to avert or delay degenerative hip disease in the patient.

[Repeated local thrombolysis in a patient with axillary and subclavian vein injury and thrombosis]

Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) is a disorder with blood clot (thrombus) formation in deep veins. DVT of upper extremities (UE) is rare but serious, bearing in mind its possible complications, disease. UE DVT treatment involves subcutaneous injections of low molecular weight heparins and subsequent switch to oral anticoagulation or thrombolysis; thrombolysis by intravenous administration of a thrombolytic agent is used only if indicated (subclavian vein thrombosis). A case of a professional sportswoman is presented, who was treated for venous thrombosis of subclavian and axillary veins using local thrombolysis. Thrombosis emerged suddenly after a basketball match, during which oedema of the right arm occurred subsequent to the patient being hit with the ball to the armpit area. Venipuncture as well as all catheter repositionings were performed under the duplex ultrasound (DUS) surveillance. Proximal brachial vein was punctured and four French catheters were used to enter subclavian vein. For thrombolysis, 0.2-0.6 mg/hour alteplase (rt-PA) was used. Injury to axillary vein tunica intima was evident the following day after the subclavian and axillary thrombosis was dissolved completely, and thrombosis in the same area recurred immediately after stopping the thrombolytic infusion. Therefore, administration of a thrombolytic agent into the same area was re-introduced and acetylsalicylic acid was added to the medication. This combined therapy resulted in recanalization of the arm as well as the axillary and subclavian areas. Thrombolysis was stopped on the 3rd day of treatment. The method can be used to manage deep vein thromboses of the upper arms even without X-ray control. Local thrombolysis of deep vein thrombosis with ultrasound surveillance is, in indicated patients, a safe method even if a vein injury occurs.

Arthroscopic fenestration of the distal humerus: a viable option for painful elbow impingement in sportsmen

Open ulnohumeral arthroplasty, also known as the Outerbridge-Kashiwaghi procedure, is performed in elbow arthritis to relieve pain and improve the range of motion. A similar technique of distal humeral fenestration is applied in elbow arthroscopy to achieve pain relief in degenerative elbow arthritis. We report a possible new indication in young sportsmen with recurrent posterior elbow impingement. A professional javelin thrower and a basketball player with recurrent loose bodies, posterior impingement and a minimal extension lack were free of complaints and resumed all sports activities within 6 weeks after an arthroscopic fenestration of the distal humerus. Their elbow function remained perfect within a 2 year follow-up period. We suggest that arthroscopic ulnohumeral arthroplasty is a viable option in sportsmen with recurrent loose bodies and elbow locking due to ongoing elbow arthritis.

Capsular tear in line with the inferior glenohumeral ligament: a cause of anterior glenohumeral instability in 2 patients

Anterior glenohumeral instability typically involves lesions associated with the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex. Multiple lesions have been described in this setting, including Bankart, humeral avulsion of the inferior glenohumeral ligament complex, and mid-substance capsular tears. These lesions are indicative of the high-force traumatic nature of anterior shoulder dislocation. Two cases of recurrent anterior shoulder instability are presented with a capsular tear perpendicular to the usual orientation and not consistent to the amount of force involved in a dislocation. Arthroscopy revealed a capsular defect from the glenoid to the humeral head in the anterior inferior glenohumeral ligamentous complex in both. This lesion is an unusual circumstance, providing another pathology to include in the differential diagnosis of anterior glenohumeral instability.

Retrospective case evaluation of gender differences in sports injuries in a Japanese sports medicine clinic

BACKGROUND

Although both gender- and sports-specific injuries exist among athletes, gender differences in the types of injuries caused by sports activities, except for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and anterior knee pain, are not well established.

OBJECTIVE

An observational study with a retrospective case-series design was conducted to investigate gender-specific differences in the types of injuries sustained while engaging in sports activities common to both males and females.

METHODS

We analyzed injuries sustained during sports activities including basketball, volleyball, tennis, skiing, track and field, and swimming, using data on age, sex, sports activities, activity levels, and sports injuries that had been computerized at our sports medicine (orthopedics) clinic. Inclusion criteria were sports activities that had a record of >100 injuries in total and athletes aged <50 years who were engaging in only 1 sports activity. We determined the absolute number of patients in each category and their percentage (proportion) of our cohort. The proportions of common injuries caused by sports activities were investigated, and gender-specific differences in the types of common injuries caused by sports activities were clarified. The Fisher exact test was used to determine the significance (P < 0.01) of the gender-specific differences in the types of sports injuries.

RESULTS

According to our database, during the 14-year period between October 1992 and December 2006, a total of 2,989 athletes (1,624 males and 1,365 females) aged <50 years who engaged in 1 of the 6 sports activities described consulted our sports medicine clinic. The most common sports injuries were ACL injury (14.3%) and knee pain (13.7%), followed by ankle sprain (9.4%), lumbar disc disease (7.0%), meniscus injury (5.1%), stress fracture (2.9%), low back pain (2.5%), patellar tendinitis (2.1%), injury of the medial collateral ligament of the knee (2.0%), lumbar spondylolysis (1.7%), and muscle strain (1.5%). Among these 11 types of sports injuries, a significantly higher proportion of females who engaged in basketball (24.4% vs 10.5%), volleyball (20.5% vs 4.5%), or skiing (41.4% vs 26.5%) presented with an ACL injury, compared with their male counterparts (all, P < 0.001). There was also a significantly higher proportion of females than of males among the track and field athletes who presented with stress fractures (18.7% vs 3.9%; P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The findings of this retrospective study suggest that there are gender-specific differences in the types of injuries sustained during sports activities.

Reducing premature osteoarthritis in the adolescent through appropriate screening

Osteoarthritis affects all ages. The etiology of this debilitating disease is multifactorial; however, several genes are linked to osteoarthritis. Sports participation, injury to the joint, obesity, and genetic susceptibility predispose adolescent athletes to the development of premature osteoarthritis. Assessment for the risk of osteoarthritis includes obtaining a family history to detect any genetic predisposition, obtaining body weight and body mass index, and identifying the patient's exercise regime and sports participation. Strategies to prevent the development of osteoarthritis in the adolescent include patient education, exercises to build quadriceps strength, low-impact activities, and the maintenance of a healthy weight. The devastating effects of premature osteoarthritis can be reduced if an assessment for risk of the disease is performed during adolescence.

Depressed anterior table fracture: a minimally invasive method of reduction

One-third of frontal sinus fractures are isolated to the anterior table. Traditional approaches to the reduction of an isolated anterior table fracture include the coronal incision, the bilateral brow incision, an endoscopic brow lift with an incision either directly over the fracture or in the brow, and delayed repair with a camouflaging implant. We describe a case involving a 14-year-old boy with a depressed anterior table fracture that we successfully treated using a minimally invasive technique requiring only one 2-cm incision.

Differential diagnosis in a professional basketball player with foot pain: is it an avulsion fracture or an os supranaviculare?

The os supranaviculare is an accessory bone located on the dorsal aspect of the talonavicular joint close to the midpoint. This rare incidental skeletal variant has an estimated prevalence of 1%. It may rarely become symptomatic and should not be confused with cortical avulsion fractures of navicular or talar head. We present the case of a 25-year-old professional basketball player with pain on the dorsum of his right foot after twisting his ankle during a regular season match. Magnetic resonance imaging findings of the player's foot represented a flake of bone on the superior part of the talar head. The differential diagnosis and clinical outcome of this unusual case are briefly discussed.

Closed posteromedial dislocation of the ankle without fracture: a case report

Ankle dislocation without fracture is an extremely rare injury. Open dislocations were more common in the previous reports. The authors report a case of closed posteromedial dislocation of the ankle in a 24-year-old basketball player. Closed reduction was performed. The ankle was initially immobilized with the short leg cast before using the functional brace. Details of the rehabilitation program were described. Follow up examination at one-year demonstrated good clinical and functional results confirmed with the inversion stress radiographs. The patient can participate in sports activities at the same level as pre-injury.

The effects of generalized joint laxity on risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in young female athletes

BACKGROUND

Women who participate in high-risk sports suffer anterior cruciate ligament injury at a 4- to 6-fold greater rate than men.

PURPOSE

To prospectively determine if female athletes with decreased passive knee joint restraint (greater joint laxity) and greater side-to-side differences in knee laxity would be at increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury.

STUDY DESIGN

Case control study; Level of evidence, 3.

METHODS

From 1558 female soccer and basketball players who were prospectively screened, 19 went on to tear their anterior cruciate ligaments. Four height- and mass-matched control subjects were selected from the uninjured screened athletes for comparison with each of the 19 injured subjects, making a total of 95 subjects (19 injured; 76 uninjured). Generalized joint-laxity tests and anterior-posterior tibiofemoral translation were quantified using the CompuKT knee arthrometer. A multivariable logistic regression model was constructed to determine predictors of anterior cruciate ligament injury status from recorded laxity measures.

RESULTS

A multivariable logistic regression model (chi-square = 18.6; P = .002) used the independent variables laxity measures of knee hyperextension (P = .02), wrist and thumb to forearm opposition (P = .80), fifth-finger hyperextension > 90 degrees (P = .71), side-to-side differences in anterior-posterior tibiofemoral translation (P = .002), and prior knee injury (P = .22) to predict anterior cruciate ligament-injury status. The validated C statistic, or validated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, was 0.72. For every 1.3-mm increase in side-to-side differences in anterior-posterior knee displacement, the odds of anterior cruciate ligament-injured status increased 4-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.68-9.69). A positive measure of knee hyperextension increased the odds of anterior cruciate ligament-injured status 5-fold (95% confidence interval, 1.24-18.44).

CONCLUSION

The current results indicate that increased knee-laxity measures may contribute to increased risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury. The methods to quantify knee joint laxity in this report may be used in conjunction with measures of neuromuscular control of the knee joint to identify high-risk female athletes with high accuracy. Once high-risk female athletes are identified, they may be targeted to the appropriate interventions to reduce injury risk.

Anterior cruciate ligament injury in female and male athletes: the relationship between foot structure and injury

BACKGROUND

It has been shown that anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are more prevalent in female athletes than in male athletes. Soccer and basketball are considered high-risk sports for ACL injury in female athletes. Several studies have reported a relationship between ACL injury and measures of foot structure. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between foot structure and ACL injury rates in female and male soccer and basketball players.

METHODS

One hundred five soccer and basketball players (53 women and 52 men) were recruited and divided into an ACL-normal group (n=89) and an ACL-injured group (n=16). Two measures of foot structure (subtalar joint neutral position and navicular drop test values) were recorded for each subject. An independent t test and a paired t test were used to analyze differences in ACL status, foot structure, and sex. A chi2 analysis determined whether the prevalence of ACL injury was independent of sport.

RESULTS

No statistically significant differences were found in the foot structure measures between women and men. Female soccer and basketball players had an ACL injury rate seven times that of male players.

CONCLUSIONS

Values derived from subtalar joint neutral position measurement and the navicular drop test were not associated with ACL injury in collegiate female and male soccer and basketball players.

Neuromuscular function after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament--a case study using evoked electromyography

To clarify the neuro-muscular function of a lower extremity after reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), we studied the alteration of H reflex and Silent period (SP) from the soleus muscle in a patient with ACL reconstruction. Subject was an eighteen year-old male and high school basketball player after a reconstruction of right ACL. Recording of H reflex and SP was started at one month after operation, and ended at six months post operation with a test at every month. As a result of this study, the amplitude ratio of H/M(max) was increased at post four months after ACL reconstruction on operative side. Little variation of SP was acquired in non-operative side. However, that in operative side was increased compared with non-operative side and gradually decreased until post six months. Post six months, the variation of SP in operative side was recovered as that of non-operative side. And, on the operation side, long-latency reflex (LLR) was appeared during SP from one month to five months after, especially its appearance pattern was most markedly post four months. However, post six months, LLR disappeared during SP. The result of H reflex, SP and LLR appearance suggested a following hypothesis; until post six months after ACL reconstruction, even the small and simple task (i.e. an ankle planter flexion with a slight effort) needs to an intervention of a various supra-spinal function. In this case, autonomy of central nervous system related to an out-put mechanism in lower-extremity was acquired post six months.

Injuries in women's basketball

Women's basketball has changed over time. It is a faster paced game than it was 30 years ago. Greatplayers, like Anne Meyers,who was the first, and only, woman to be signed to an NBA contract, would agree today's game is different. The game is played mostly "below the rim" but with players like Candice Parker, Sylvia Fowles and Maya Moore able to dunk the ball, the game is still changing. The one thing that remains constant in basketball, especially women's basketball, is injury. The majority of injuries in women's basketball are similar to those in men's basketball. Studies at the high school and college level show similar injury rates between women and men. ACL injuries are one exception, with female athletes having atwo to four times higher rate ofACL injuries. In this article, we review the common injuries in women's basketball. We discuss treatment issues and possible preventive measures.

[A prospective comparison of double- and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions]

OBJECTIVE

A nonrandomized clinical study was performed to compare the clinical and radiological outcome between double-bundle and single-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions with semitendinosus tendon in athletes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We examined 70 patients with unilateral anterior cruciate ligament injury. They were followed up for a mean of 24 months. Each group of 35 patients underwent either double- or single-bundle ACL reconstruction. The mean age of the patients was 24.7 years (range, 18-35 years). There were no differences between two groups regarding age at surgery, sex, follow-up period, period before surgery, combined meniscus injuries, athletic activity level, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) and Tegner scores. All patients followed the same postoperative program. They were evaluated using manual knee laxity tests, knee extension and flexion strength testing. General knee condition was evaluated by the IKDC and Tegner scores.

RESULTS

The results were excellent and good in 32 (91.4%) patients after double-bundle ACL reconstruction and in 30 (85.7%) patients after single-bundle ACL reconstruction, evaluating by IKDC system. However, statistical analysis showed no significant difference between the two groups regarding all IKDC-categorized data (P=0.87). The average scores of Tegner activity in double-bundle and single-bundle groups were 8.0 and 8.1, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

This trial showed no significant difference between the double and single-bundle ACL repairs.

Prevention of traumatic dental lesions: cognitive research on the role of mouthguards during sport activities in paediatric age

AIM

This study reports a personal contribution and the analysis of the most recent literature on prevention of dentoalveolar traumas, and the lack of knowledge and use of protective oral devices in children (7-12 years old) practicing sports. Different oral protection devices will be illustrated, and among them the types more suitable for the investigated age group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Recently we conducted a survey on a sample of 300 children between 8 and 11 years of age practicing basketball, to assess the frequency of oral traumas, correlated predisposing factors, level of knowledge of mouthguards and possible frequency of use of such devices.

RESULTS

From the survey it emerged that only 30 subjects knew about mouthguards (15 of them received the information from their dentist) and none of them received information from the coach or within the sport club. Furthermore, only 3 subjects (1% of the sample) wore a mouthguard during practice. Our study and other literature contributions highlight the total lack of information of the practitioners, especially the young ones, and the unconcern for these problems by the organisations (clubs) where sports are practiced. A cycle of 2 brief conferences about orofacial trauma prevention and use of mouthguard was administered. Regarding the type of mouthguard more suitable to adolescent athletes, the semi-individual types of new generation seem to be the best choice, since they can be refitted multiple times in order to adapt to the dental and skeletal growth. Conclusion We can conclude reasserting the absolute need of providing information about the risks of orofacial trauma related with basketball and other contact sport activities, and to promote the use of mouthguards as a primary protective measure among athletes, which will considerably reduce the social costs associated with such trauma occurrences.

Chondral fracture of the lateral trochlea of the femur occurring in an adolescent: mechanism of injury

The trochlea of the femur is a very unusual site for chondral fracture. Little is known of the mechanism of injuries confined to the articular cartilage of the trochlea of the femur. A very unusual case of chondral fracture of the lateral trochlea of the femur occurring in an adolescent is reported here. The mechanism by which this injury occurred could be evaluated in this patient. The cartilage on the convex surface of the lateral trochlea was likely avulsed proximally by shear force of the patella during rapid extension of the weight-bearing knee from a flexed position. From a viewpoint of mechanism, this injury differs from the more usual osteochondral or chondral fractures of the weight bearing area of the femoral condyle, which are usually accompanied by twisting forces.

Subsequent injury patterns in girls' high school sports

CONTEXT

Girls' participation in high school sports has increased 79.5% since 1975-1976. The incidence of injury among boys in high school sports has been well documented, but information regarding the incidence, severity, and type of injury among girls in high school sports is limited.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects of subsequent injuries among high school girls in 5 sports.

DESIGN

Observational cohort.

SETTING

Existing data from the 1995-1997 National Athletic Trainers' Association High School Injury Surveillance database.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Girl athletes (n = 25 187 player-seasons) participating in 5 varsity high school sports: basketball, field hockey, soccer, softball, and volleyball.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Injury status, body location, injury type, time lost from injury, and number of players at risk for injury as recorded by athletic trainers and submitted to the Sports Injury Monitoring System.

RESULTS

Overall, 23.3% of the athletes had 2 or more injuries within a sport; basketball and soccer athletes were most vulnerable. Overall, the probability of an athlete sustaining 3 or more injuries was 38.6%, and the risk was highest for field hockey players (61.9%). The risk of subsequent injury at a new body location was almost 2 times higher than reinjury at the same body location (risk ratio = 1.7, 95% confidence interval = 1.6, 1.8) and was similar for all sports except volleyball. Only in softball was the proportion of reinjuries causing 8 or more days lost from participation greater than the proportion of new injuries causing similar time loss. Softball and volleyball had the highest proportion of reinjuries at the shoulder, especially rotator cuff strains. The proportion of knee reinjuries was significantly higher than new injuries for all sports except soccer. The proportion of anterior cruciate ligament injuries was significantly higher for volleyball players only. Overall, the proportion of reinjuries was significantly higher for stress fractures and musculoskeletal condition injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Patterns of subsequent injury risk appear to vary among these 5 sports. Almost one quarter of the athletes incurred 2 or more injuries over a 3-year period, so the effects of subsequent injuries deserve more consideration.