[The gymnastics shoulder]

Return to Sport and Patient-Reported Outcomes After Subpectoral Biceps Tenodesis for SLAP Tear in Collegiate Gymnasts

Background

The biceps superior labral complex is a known source of shoulder dysfunction in young, high-level athletes. Superior labral anterior-posterior (SLAP) repairs are often unsatisfactory for treating biceps-labral pathology in this demographic group, with high failure rates and poor return to sport (RTS). Minimal data have been published to demonstrate patient-reported outcomes (PROs) and RTS in gymnasts after treatment of SLAP pathologies.

Hypothesis

Gymnasts undergoing biceps tenodesis for SLAP pathologies would have satisfactory PROs and satisfactory RTS.

Study Design

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods

Gymnasts aged ≤25 years who underwent open subpectoral biceps tenodesis for SLAP tears with or without biceps tendon pathology between August 20, 2014, and August 20, 2019, and who had minimum 2-year follow-up data were included in this study. Tenodesis was performed using a subpectoral technique with bicortical button fixation. The following PROs were included: RTS, postoperative activity level, 10-point visual analog scale for pain (VAS-Pain), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES), and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) scores.

Results

Of 16 shoulders in 14 gymnasts undergoing biceps tenodesis for SLAP tear during the study period, a follow-up was obtained for 13 of 16 shoulders (81%) at 4.3 ± 1.5 years. The mean age of patients at the time of surgery was 21.8 ± 2.2 years, with 12 (92%) male patients. Biceps tenodesis was performed as the primary procedure for the diagnosis of SLAP tear in 12 patients (92%) and for failed prior SLAP repair in 1 patient (8%). PROs were excellent at the follow-up, with VAS-Pain scores of 1.8 ± 1.7, ASES scores of 89.1 ± 9.1, and DASH scores of 2.4 ± 3.2. After surgery, 8 (62%) patients returned to their prior level of collegiate gymnastics. Three (60%) of 5 patients did not return to collegiate gymnastics because of the end of eligibility, and 2 (40%) patients did not return to collegiate gymnastics because of knee injuries. Significantly higher DASH scores were noted in the group that did not RTS (P = .04). No patients experienced postoperative complications or reoperation.

Conclusion

Biceps tenodesis was an effective primary operation for high-level gymnasts with SLAP tears, with a satisfactory rate of return to the same level of sport and excellent PROs.

The Injured Shoulder in High-Level Male Gymnasts, Part 2: Can Athletes Return to Competition After Surgery?

BACKGROUND

The results of surgical treatment of shoulder injuries in high-level male gymnasts have not yet been documented.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the functional and subjective results after surgical treatment of shoulder injuries in high-level gymnasts and the possibilities to return to sport at the same level.

STUDY DESIGN

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

METHODS

Over a 20-year period (1994-2014), 23 high-level male gymnasts (26 shoulders) underwent surgery by a single experienced shoulder surgeon. At the time of surgery, 7 gymnasts competed at the international level, 12 at the national elite level, and 4 at the regional level. According to symptoms and anatomic lesions, the shoulders were classified into 2 groups: painful shoulders (n = 11) and unstable shoulders (n = 15). Fifteen capsulolabral repairs, 10 cuff debridements, 1 cuff repair, 4 SLAP (superior labral anterior and posterior) repairs, and 8 suprapectoral biceps tenodesis were performed. Twelve shoulders (46%) had >1 procedure performed. Outcomes assessment was performed by an independent observer at a mean of 5 years (range, 2-15 years) postoperatively. In addition, patients completed the Subjective Shoulder Value (range, 0%-100%).

RESULTS

After shoulder surgery, 21 (91%) of the 23 gymnasts returned to competitive gymnastics, and 20 gymnasts (87%) regained their preinjury level of sport. All international-level gymnasts returned to their preinjury level of sport. Three athletes (13%) underwent revision surgery, and 1 athlete (4%) ended his career without returning to competition. The postoperative period before resumption of competitive gymnastics was 9 ± 3.5 months (mean ± SD). Of the 15 gymnasts treated for shoulder instability with arthroscopic stabilization, 12 were able to return to their previous level of sport. All 8 gymnasts who had arthroscopic biceps tenodesis were able to return to their previous level of sport, as opposed to only 2 of 4 gymnasts treated with SLAP repair. The gymnastics-specific Subjective Shoulder Value score was 80% ± 11%.

CONCLUSION

Most gymnasts who required surgical treatment for a shoulder injury were able to return to competition at their previous level, although there was a considerable postoperative recovery period. Current arthroscopic reconstruction techniques were effective for treating structural lesions and allowing return to high-level gymnastics.

Musculoskeletal Pain in Gymnasts: A Retrospective Analysis on a Cohort of Professional Athletes

Gymnastics athletes are exposed to a high risk of injury, but also of developing musculoskeletal pain. These data are still little investigated in the available scientific literature. An online survey was distributed to 79 professional athletes who practiced artistic and rhythmic gymnastics. The survey collected demographic and anthropometric data, information about the sport practice, the training sessions, the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain gymnastics-related, and lifestyle habits. Musculoskeletal pain had a high prevalence, involving 65 of 79 athletes (82.3%). A significant correlation was found between musculoskeletal pain and the duration of sports practice, both for general pain (p = 0.041) and for specific districts: right wrist pain (p = 0.031), left wrist pain (p = 0.028), right shoulder (p = 0.039), left hip (p = 0.031), right thigh (p = 0.031), and left knee (p = 0.005). Another statistical association was found between right wrist pain and BMI (p = 0.001), and hip pain and BMI (p = 0.030). Hours spent in a sitting position were also correlated with the incidence of pain (p = 0.045). Wrist pain and right shoulder pain had a statistically significant association with the age of the athletes (right wrist pain: p = 0.038; left wrist pain: p = 0.004; right shoulder pain: p = 0.035). The more the gymnasts practice this sport, the more likely they are to develop musculoskeletal pain. Increased age and a higher BMI, as well as daily prolonged sitting position, seem to be potential risk factors for the onset of musculoskeletal pain. Future studies could plan training strategies aimed at preventing musculoskeletal pain associated with gymnastics, in order to promote its further spread.

High Rate of Return to CrossFit Training After Arthroscopic Management of Rotator Cuff Tear

Background:

CrossFit is a conditioning program involving high-intensity exercises performed in rapid, successive repetitions with limited or no recovery time. The shoulder girdle is highly involved in most basic CrossFit training programs.

Hypothesis:

CrossFit athletes affected by rotator cuff tear may be successfully treated with arthroscopic surgery with a high rate of early return to CrossFit activities.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

Included in this study were athletes participating regularly in CrossFit training who had undergone arthroscopic rotator cuff repair. At a minimum follow-up of 24 months, we compared pre- and postoperative clinical outcome scores, including the Constant Score (CS), the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, and a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain, as well as imaging results. Participants completed a return-to-CrossFit questionnaire at the final follow-up, and changes in laboratory blood test results from preoperative to final follow-up were evaluated for association with outcomes and questionnaire responses.

Results:

A total of 22 CrossFit athletes (23 shoulders) completed the 24-month follow-up evaluation. Each athlete had undergone single-row rotator cuff tendon repair with additional procedures such as biceps tenodesis. All (100%) athletes returned to intensive CrossFit training at a mean 8.7 ± 3.4 months after surgery (range, 6-15 months). CS and ASES scores improved between preoperative and final follow-up from 73 to 92 (P = .037) and from 71 to 95 (P = .035), respectively; VAS pain score improved from 7.2 preoperatively to 0.8 at final follow-up (P < .001). Imaging evaluation of the repaired rotator cuff tendon showed complete healing in 18 cases (78%) and incomplete healing in 5 (22%). Of the 5 patients with incomplete healing, 2 had lower clinical scores at follow-up. In their questionnaire responses, 13 (59%) participants indicated return to a higher level of fitness, 7 (32%) returned to the same level, and 2 (9%) returned to a lower level. We found a significant association between patients who indicated return to a higher level of CrossFit fitness and higher levels of creatine phosphokinase and testosterone from preoperative to final follow-up (P = .029 and .023).

Conclusion:

Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff tendons led to 100% return to CrossFit participation at approximately 9 months of follow-up. All athletes had returned to sport by the final follow-up. Nevertheless, 2 patients reported a lower level of performance and showed scapular dyskinesis.

A systematic review of injuries in gymnastics

OBJECTIVES

To identify all studies of gymnastics injuries and assess injury rates, types, locations, and causes.

METHODS

Seven electronic and two grey literature databases were searched. Two reviewers independently assessed titles/abstracts, abstracted data, and calculated average rates weighted by study size.

RESULTS

One study (n = 963) of three Olympic games (2008,2012,2016) provided injury rates for females of 86.4/1000gymnasts and males 79.9. For 29 databases one study of males (n = 64) provided a rate of 8.8 injuries/1000hours/AE (AE = athletic-exposure) and three of females varied rates (8.5, 9.4, and 91). Three studies for males (n = 153) provided a weighted average rate of 1.4 injuries/1000hours/training, and for females six studies (n = 476) 1.5 injuries. Four studies of males (n = 286) provided a weighted average of 678 injuries/1000gymnasts per year and eight studies of females (n = 1,764) a rate of 306. Of 19 surveys, eight provided rates for females (n = 1,463) of 596 injuries/gymnast per year and two for males (n = 40) a rate of 1,036. In the Olympics injuries were preponderately lower limb (63%) then trunk (23%) and upper limb (14%); injury type was sprains (35%) followed by tendinopathy/arthritis/impingements (17%), contusions (10%), and fractures (7%). Five database studies provided injury location data for 274 males: averages weighted by study size were upper extremity 42.8%, lower extremity 33.6%, torso/spine 11.8%, and head/neck 4.9% and 12 studies with 843 females provided average rates for lower extremity 51%, upper extremity 30.8%, torso/spine 13% and head/neck 0.8%. Official gymnastics organizations' websites provide no readily available data about injury rates or methods of prevention.

CONCLUSIONS

Studies need to collect comprehensive data for injury rates by training/competitions, gender, age, injury location/type/cause. Studies could assess whether trainers and physiotherapists monitoring gymnasts closely for injury risk would reduce injuries. Studies including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of interventions in training, videotaping and performance feedback to reduce injury rates would be helpful.