Arterial abnormalities of the hand in athletes

Vascular lesions of the hand may be seen in athletes exposed to repetitive blunt trauma. Thirteen athletes seen from 1983 to 1988 experienced symptoms related to hand ischemia. Nine were professional baseball catchers. The majority of patients complained of chronic symptoms, including cold hypersensitivity (four patients), finger numbness (one), finger coolness (three), and finger blanching (three). Two patients had acute symptoms with sudden posttraumatic hand ischemia with finger and palmar pain. Diagnosis was established by history and physical examination and confirmed by noninvasive testing. Testing included use of Doppler examination and cold tolerance examination with thermistors. Two athletes required angiographic evaluation because of severe ischemia and continuous pain. All patients in this group were managed nonoperatively. Those with chronic complaints were counseled regarding cold avoidance and instructed to increase their glove padding. The two patients with acute symptoms required vasodilator (papaverine chloride) infusion, followed by intravenous heparin and dextran. All baseball catchers returned to their sport with dissipation of symptoms.     

Imaging of the painful shoulder in throwing athletes

A wide spectrum of abnormalities can affect the throwing shoulder. The injuries are often particular to a specific phase of the throw and are well demonstrated with MR imaging. In this article, the authors review the phases of the throw, MR imaging techniques, and the MR appearances of the injuries associated with particular phases.     

Radiologic abnormalities of the thoraco-lumbar spine in athletes

A radiologic study of the thoraco-lumbar spine was performed in 143 (117 male and 26 female) athletes (wrestlers, gymnasts, soccer players and tennis players), aged 14 to 25 years and 30 male non-athletes, aged 19 to 25 years. Film interpretation was made after mixing the films from all groups and without knowledge of the individual's identity. Various types of radiologic abnormalities occurred in both athletes and non-athletes but were more common among athletes, especially male gymnasts and wrestlers. Abnormalities of the vertebral ring apophysis occurred exclusively in athletes. Combinations of different types of abnormalities were most common in male gymnasts and wrestlers.     

Management of shoulder instability in in-season athletes

Although shoulder instability is common in young athletes, there are limited prospective data to guide treatment for competitive athletes who sustain a dislocation mid-season. The management of athletes during their competitive season requires an understanding of the natural history of shoulder instability, the specific needs of the injured athlete (eg, specific sport, player position), and the duration of treatment. Rehabilitation can enable an athlete with a shoulder dislocation to return to play within 3 weeks of injury. Bracing is an option, but it can result in restricted glenohumeral motion and thereby possibly affect performance. Surgical stabilization should be considered for the athlete with recurrent instability or inability to perform; however, this frequently results in the termination of the player's season. In this article, we review the available literature to help guide physicians treating athletes with shoulder instability.     

Kinetic chain abnormalities in the athletic shoulder

Overhead activities require the shoulder to be exposed to and sustain repetitive loads. The segmental activation of the body's links, known as the kinetic chain, allows this to occur effectively. Proper muscle activation is achieved through generation of energy from the central segment or core, which then transfers the energy to the terminal links of the shoulder, elbow, and hand. The kinetic chain is best characterized by 3 components: optimized anatomy, reproducible efficient motor patterns, and the sequential generation of forces. However, tissue injury and anatomic deficits such as weakness and/or tightness in the leg, pelvic core, or scapular musculature can lead to overuse shoulder injuries. These injuries can be prevented and maladaptations can be detected with a thorough understanding of biomechanics of the kinetic chain as it relates to overhead activity.     

Arthroscopic treatment of shoulder impingement in athletes.

Twenty-nine patients (1 high school athlete, 9 college athletes, and 20 recreational or nonathletes) with Neer stage II impingement syndrome were treated by arthroscopic subacromial decompression after their injuries failed to improve with conservative therapy. Followup averaged 32.2 months, and results were rated based on subjective responses and the UCLA Shoulder Rating Scale. Of the results, 82.2% were rated as satisfactory, while 17.2% were unsatisfactory. The greatest margin of improvement was in the pain rating. Postoperatively, 65.5% of the patients returned to their previous level of activity and 56% of the collegiate athletes returned to their previous competitive level. The average time to return to college-level competitive athletics for the recreational or nonathletes was 6.6 months (average 5.4). There were no infections or neurovascular complications in the series.     

Imaging of shoulder pain in overhead throwing athletes

Overhead sports are widely practiced around the world and overhead athletes can present with pain and dysfunction in the throwing shoulder, generally due to degenerative changes secondary to overuse. Numerous etiologies can be taken into account, including rotator cuff and glenoid labrum tears, biceps pathologies, internal impingement, and gleno-humeral instability. In this setting, imaging plays a central role in early diagnosis, thus allowing for a prompt management, correct rehabilitation, and quick return to competition. This review is aimed to discuss the role of imaging to diagnose the most common types of overhead-related shoulder injuries.     

Anterior capsulolabral reconstruction of the shoulder in athletes in overhand sports

From April 1, 1985, through June 30, 1987, 25 skilled athletes with shoulder pain secondary to anterior glenohumeral instability that had failed to improve with conservative therapy had an anterior capsulolabral reconstruction. All but one athlete completed a formal rehabilitation program with an average followup of 39 months. The results at followup were rated excellent in 68%, good in 24%, fair in 4%, and poor in 4%. Seventeen patients returned to their prior competitive level for at least 1 year. This operation and rehabilitation program may allow many athletes who participate in overhand activities or throwing sports to return to their prior level of competition.     

Current concepts in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder instability in athletes

Glenohumeral joint instability is a fairly common clinical disorder in athletes, especially in sports that involve the throwing motion. The direction of shoulder instability can be anterior, inferior, posterior, or multidirectional. The cause can be trauma, congenital laxity, or voluntary muscle action. Normal shoulders that have been disrupted by injury respond well to surgical correction. Shoulders that have inherently lax supporting structures, as found in patients with atraumatic and voluntary dislocation, have less consistent success with surgical repair. A common condition encountered in the shoulder of a throwing arm is anterior subluxation, which can be diagnosed by the positive apprehension sign and confirmed by arthroscopy. A torn glenoid labrum is a common injury also. Improvement in the diagnosis and treatment of shoulder disorders has been made recently by arthroscopy which allows direct visualization of the joint; many conditions can now be corrected by means of arthroscopic surgery. Radiographic techniques have also been improved.     

The diagnosis and nonoperative treatment of shoulder injuries in athletes

The specific emphasis in this article has been directed toward the diagnosis of prevalent shoulder pathology in a young athletic population; however, as the interest in sports has blossomed in recent years now encompassing a larger age range, the physician must not neglect common pathologic conditions of the older athletes. Fastidious adherence to complete history, physical examination, and a high level of suspicion for uncommon disorders is paramount. Arthritides such as osteo, rheumatoid, septic, and lyme as well as the hematologic disorders of multiple myeloma, lymphomas, leukemia, hemophilia, and Gaucher's disease can all present with shoulder pain. Thoracic outlet syndrome, scalene syndrome, supra-scapular nerve syndrome, and quadrilateral space syndrome comprise a group of nerve compression syndromes that are becoming more apparent as our diagnostic skills improve. Yet, the most pervasive disorders in the young athlete are due to lack of shoulder stability. By understanding the delicate balance in normal shoulder between mobility and stability, the clinician is better able to conceptualize the etiology and progression of the problem, and design the optimal treatment program.     

Osteochondrosis dissecans of the shoulder glenoid fossa diagnosed in four throwing athletes

The aim of this study was to report 4 observations of osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD) of the shoulder glenoid fossa diagnosed in throwing athletes. A retrospective review of medical and radiological records of throwing athletes, performed for the period 1992 to 2002, revealed 215 studies of the shoulder. The patients were elite throwing athletes suffering for recurrent shoulder pain. Four cases (1.86%) of OCD of the glenoid fossa were identified; conventional radiographs of the shoulder were taken for all patients followed by MR examination. All cases received a definitive surgical diagnosis.     

Diagnostic evaluation of athletes with posttraumatic chronic shoulder pain

We examined 20 consecutively admitted athletes suffering from chronic shoulder pain for more than 6 months following a single shoulder trauma without dislocation. All had pain during loading, especially during over-the-head activities with a clicking sensation, and symptoms of dead arm were also present. On examination, 8 patients had decreased range of motion and 14 patients had a positive apprehension test. Three had signs of impingement. Diagnostic evaluation with special X-ray, ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and arthroscopy identified IS lateral tears, 3 partial and 1 total rotator cuff lesions and 2 patients with synovitis of the rotator cuff with subacromial impingement. Three patients had tendinitis of the biceps tendon and 1 had a lesion of the greater tubercle. In conclusion, chronic shoulder pain after a single nondislocated shoulder trauma in athletes should be evaluated due to a possible intraarticular cause of the pain. MRI seems to be the most valuable noninvasive method of evaluating patients with chronic shoulder pain and should be performed before arthroscopy and operative procedures.     

Arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization of collision and contact athletes

BACKGROUND: Repair of the anterior labrum (Bankart lesion) with tightening of the ligaments (capsulorrhaphy) is the recommended treatment for recurrent anterior glenohumeral dislocations. Current evidence suggests that arthroscopic anterior stabilization methods yield similar failure rates for resubluxation and redislocation when compared to open techniques. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4 PURPOSE: To examine the results of arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization of high-demand collision and contact athletes. METHODS: Thirteen collision and 5 contact athletes were identified from the senior surgeon's case registry. Analysis was limited to patients younger than 20 years who were involved in collision (football) or contact (wrestling, soccer) athletics. Objective testing included preoperative and postoperative range of motion and stability. Outcome measures included the American Shoulder and Elbow Society shoulder score, Simple Shoulder Test, SF-36, and Rowe scores. The surgical procedure was performed in a consistent manner: suture anchor repair of the displaced labrum, capsulorrhaphy with suture placement supplemented with thermal treatment of the capsule when indicated, and occasional rotator interval closure. Average follow-up was 37 months (range, 24-66 months). RESULTS: Two of 18 contact and collision athletes (11%) experienced recurrent dislocations after the procedure; both were collision athletes. One returned to play 3 years of high school football but failed after diving into a pool. One patient failed in his second season after his stabilization (>2 years) when making a tackle. None of the contact athletes experienced a recurrent dislocation, with all of them returning to high school or college athletics. CONCLUSIONS: One hundred percent of all collision and contact athletes returned to organized high school or college sports. Fifteen percent of those collision athletes had a recurrence, which has not required treatment. Participation in collision and contact athletics is not a contraindication for arthroscopic anterior shoulder stabilization using suture anchors, proper suture placement, capsulorrhaphy, and occasional rotator interval plication.     

Impingement of the rotator cuff in athletes caused by instability of the shoulder joint

An impingement of the rotator cuff can be caused by chronic anterior instability of the shoulder joint. This particular disease is often found in athletes engaged in overhead motion in abduction/external rotation of the arm, such as in ball sports like volleyball or European handball, racket sports like tennis or badminton, or swimming. For those patients that cannot be cured by conservative treatment such as muscular stabilization, surgical treatment is indicated: anterior reconstruction of the capsule and/or the glenoid labrum, and in addition — if necessary — subacromial decompression and revision of the rotator cuff. Between October 1988 and April 1992, we operated on 66 shoulders in 64 top athletes suffering from chronic anterior or multidirectional instability of the shoulder joint that had caused an impingement syndrome of the rotator cuff. In all cases, the athlete was unaware of the instability. Conservative treatment had been unsuccessful. Surgical treatment was successful in close to 90% of the athletes.     

Posterior detachment of the glenoid labrum in athletes with posttraumatic chronic shoulder pain

We examined 20 consecutively admitted athletes suffering from chronic shoulder pain for more than 6 months following a single shoulder trauma without dislocation. Two of them suffered from a posterior detachment of the glenoid labrum. Both had pain during loading, especially during over-the-head activities, with a clicking sensation. No previous dislocation of the involved dominant arm was recorded. Both were resistant to conservative treatment. On examination both patients had slightly decreased range of motion, a positive posterior apprehension sign and a negative impingement sign/test. One shoulder was clinically unstable. Special X-ray identified one minor avulsion of the posterior margin of the glenoid cavity. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a total posterior glenolabral detachment in both patients and also a bony avulsion of the glenoid posterior margin in one. Arthroscopy identified the posterior labral lesions and reinsertion of the detached labrum using the Mitek-anchor system was performed. After 1 year, both were able to participate in shoulder-demanding sports. In conclusion, posterior labral detachment might cause chronic shoulder pain after a single nondislocating shoulder trauma in athletes.     

Long-term results after resection of the coracoacromial ligament for shoulder impingement in athletes

The impingement syndrome with shoulder pain is a well known problem in many sports, such as swimming. Anterior acromioplasty or only resection of the coracoacromial ligament have been used for the patients who do not respond to noninvasive therapy. In this retrospective study, the long-term results after resection of the coracoacromial ligament were evaluated. Of 30 operated patients, 25 were examined on average 4 years after surgery. Almost all were active athletes at the elite professional level (national team) or the league competitive level. Their mean age was 23 years at the time of the operation and the dominant symptom was shoulder pain on effort. At follow-up 21 (84%) were judged as excellent or good and 4 (16%) as fair or poor. Resection of the coracoacromial ligament without acromioplasty is a simple surgical procedure and a useful solution to an otherwise therapy-resistant impingement shoulder pain in athletes.     

Computed tomography (CT) arthrography of shoulder instabilities in athletes

Sixty professional and recreational athletes underwent CT arthrography of the shoulder for evaluation of suspected shoulder joint derangement. These athletes, 46 males and 14 females ranging in age from 15 to 60 years (mean, 32 years), all had persistent pain that interfered with their sports activity and was resistant to conservative treatment. Seventeen patients had shoulder instability based on clinical manifestations and CT arthrographic findings. An additional five patients, also based on clinical manifestations and CT arthrographic findings, were considered to have an unobtrusive degree of anterior joint laxity. Patients with anterior instability (20 cases) all had an anteroinferior tear or detachment of the glenoid labrum, as well as some violation of the insertion of the joint capsule onto the scapula. Those with posterior instability (two cases) had a combination of labral and capsular tears. Two other major patterns of labral tears, both unaffiliated with shoulder instability, were identified. These included total or partial detachment of superior segments of the labrum, and anterior labral tears at the midglenoid level. Moreover, various degrees of labral attenuation (or, less often, enlargement), osteophyte formation, and alterations in articular cartilage were observed. Surgical correlation was obtained in 25 patients, with 95% accuracy of CT arthrographic findings. CT arthrography is a minimally invasive and highly accurate technique for investigation of glenohumeral derangement. Specifically, the extent of pathologic changes associated with instability can be determined and differentiated from other intraarticular causes of incapacity, such as labral tears caused by throwing, or degenerative changes.