Musculoskeletal injuries in young ballet dancers

Purpose  

The aim of this study was to examine the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries, site and type of injury, and the most common injury diagnoses in young ballet dancers at the Royal Swedish Ballet School, a public school in Stockholm.     

Musculoskeletal injuries in the young tennis player

Tennis is becoming increasingly popular, especially with young athletes. Despite recent advances in epidemiologic research of tennis injuries, there still is a need for more injury research in all of the racquet sports. The data that does exist show that the young athlete is susceptible to injury in these different sports. Injury patterns in the skeletally immature racquet sports athlete are becoming apparent. Although most of the sports result in similar injury patterns, such as a predominance of lower extremity injury, there are differences. It appears that the physical demands of the sport are becoming more clearly documented, and the adaptive response to these demands is becoming understood. The adaptive response reveals a common origin for many of the injuries in the different sports. This is related most often to repetitive microtrauma with resultant loss in flexibility and strength. The sports medicine practitioner must understand these differences, know the demands, do serial musculoskeletal evaluations for maladaptations, and adhere to a periodized prehabilitation program of preventative exercises to maximize performance and minimize injury risk.     

Musculoskeletal injuries in the pediatric and adolescent athlete

There are approximately 35 million children participating in organized sports in the United States. With this increasing participation, we have seen an overall increase in sportsrelated injuries in young athletes over the past 20 years. Young athletes suffer both acute and chronic, or overuse, injuries. They are susceptible to many of the same injuries as their adult counterparts, but due to the effects of growth on the musculoskeletal system, they are at risk for injuries to the growth plate, apophysis, and joint surface. Common acute and overuse injuries seen in young athletes are discussed here.     

Musculoskeletal injuries associated with physical activity in older adults

In order to compare the clinical presentation of overuse injuries in older and younger athletes, retrospective patient chart data were obtained from cases which had been referred to an outpatient sports medicine clinic over a 5-yr period. A total of 1,407 cases were studied comprising two populations separated by significantly (P less than 0.001) different ages: 685 "old" (mean age = 56.9 +/- 6.1 yr) and 722 "young" (mean age = 30.4 +/- 8.1 yr). Although the two subpopulations demonstrated modest differences in sport activity at the time of injury, specific diagnoses, and anatomic location of injury, many similarities existed between the groups. Running, fitness classes, and field sports were more commonly associated with injury in the younger group, while racquet sports, walking, and low intensity sports were more commonly associated with injury in the older group. The frequency of tendinitis was similar in both age groups, while metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis, and meniscal injury were more common in the older population, and patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) and stress fracture/periostitis were more common in the younger population. Anatomically, injury sites in the foot were more frequent in the older group, while injury sites in the knee were more frequent in the younger group. In the older population, the prevalence of osteoarthritis was 2.5 times higher than the frequency of osteoarthritis as the source of activity-related pain. In the older group, 85% of the diagnoses were overuse injuries known to respond to conservative treatment, 14.4% of the cases required consultative referral, and only 4.1% required surgery.     

Musculoskeletal injuries related to yoga: imaging observations

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to describe the imaging appearances of musculoskeletal injuries related to yoga. We performed an automated search in the database of a large tertiary care center and conducted a retrospective analysis of the imaging findings in 38 patients over a 9-year period. CONCLUSION: The most frequently encountered musculoskeletal injuries were tendinous lesions, including tears of the supraspinatus, Achilles, and peroneus brevis tendons and fibrocartilaginous tears involving the medial meniscus, acetabular labrum, glenoid labrum, and lumbar disk with extrusion.     

The effectiveness of the parachutist ankle brace in reducing ankle injuries in an airborne ranger battalion

The purpose of this study was to determine if the parachutist ankle brace (PAB) decreases the number and severity of ankle injuries in an airborne Ranger battalion. A retrospective study was performed covering a 38-month period. A computer database was used to track all jump injuries with a diagnosis of ankle pain, sprain, or fracture. The frequency was calculated for ankle injuries per 1,000 jumps and the average length of medically restricted duty per ankle injury. A total of 13,782 static line parachute jumps were conducted during the study period. Without the PAB, 35 ankle injuries were seen (4.5/1,000 jumps), with 9 fractures and 316 days of medical restriction per 1,000 jumps. Using the PAB, 9 ankle injuries were seen (1.5/1,000 jumps), with 3 fractures and 71 days of medical restriction per 1,000 jumps. The correct use of the PAB appeared to significantly decrease the incidence of ankle injuries in this battalion.     

U.S. Army noncombat munitions injuries

OBJECTIVE: The object of this study was to determine the types of noncombat injuries secondary to munitions sustained by U.S. Army soldiers. METHODS: A retrospective review of all noncombat munitions injuries reported to the U.S. Army Safety Center from August 1989 to September 1996 was conducted. RESULTS: There were 742 incidents reported, resulting in 894 injured soldiers. The most common types of injuries were thermal burns, puncture wounds, and lacerations. The extremities were the most common anatomical location injured. The most common activities associated with injuries were combat training exercises, munitions firing, and rendering munitions safe. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates a distinctive injury pattern for each category of munitions. Military readiness will be improved if we train all personnel to be familiar with the injury patterns and the most common situations associated with injury. By informing unit commanders which activities are associated with increased risk of injury, they may better prepare preventive measures to decrease the number of noncombat injuries.     

Musculoskeletal injuries in the Norwegian National Ballet: a prospective cohort study

The purpose of the present study was to determine the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries among professional ballet dancers in the Norwegian National Ballet. A 19 weeks prospective study with registration and clinical assessment of dancers with injuries was conducted. Medical staff working for the National Ballet registered incidence of injuries. In addition the dancers filled out a questionnaire about previous injuries, their work situation, and factors they believed increased the risk of injuries. Of the 41 dancers (80% response rate), 31 dancers experienced one injury or more. The majority of injuries involved foot and ankle. Twenty-two per cent of the injuries were acute injuries. Seventy-five per cent of the injuries were soft tissue injuries. Most injuries were of mild to moderate severity. Sixteen per cent of the injuries resulted in absence from work. Factors, the dancers believed were associated with risk of injuries were related to training, organizational factors and environmental factors. Seventy-eight per cent of the dancers experienced "negative" stress at work. Sixty-four per cent experienced that they had little influence on their work conditions. This study showed, however, no significant association between these psychological factors and musculoskeletal injuries. It is concluded that there is a high incidence of musculoskeletal injuries in the Norwegian National Ballet.     

Musculoskeletal and head injuries in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)

Objectives: Mixed martial arts (MMA) has witnessed a surge in popularity worldwide. This study explores the musculoskeletal and head injuries sustained in the professional fights of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), and establishes associations between injury profiles and impactful contributory factors.

Methods: The Nevada State Athletic Commission database was screened for ringside physician reports of UFC fights between January 2016 and July 2018. Information on the fighter’s gender, weight, injury, way of finish, and match result were collected. Injury rates were calculated and statistical analyses were conducted to determine significant associations among variables. P-values <0.05 were considered significant (95% CI).

Results: A total of 291 injuries were recorded in 285 fights from nine weight divisions. The overall injury rate was 51 per 100 athletic exposures (AE). Males predominantly partook in 249 matches (87%) and had higher injury rates (54 injuries per 100 AE) than females (30 injuries per 100 AE). Decision was the most common way a match ended. Knockouts (KOs) were significantly higher in males (36%) than in females (14%, P = 0.0007). Submissions were significantly higher in females (36%) than in males (16%, P = 0.001). Head injuries (67%) were the most common injuries reported with a rate of 34 per 100 AE. Upper limb injuries were significantly higher in females (40%) than in males (14%, P = 0.0003). Lower limb injuries were significantly higher in males (19%) than in females (5%, P = 0.01). Head injuries were significantly associated with KOs (P < 0.0001). Upper limb injuries (P = 0.032) and lower limb injuries (P = 0.034) were significantly associated with matches that ended with Decision. Trend-line analyses showed that as weight division increases, overall injury rates, head injuries, lower limb injuries, and KOs’ frequency increase, whereas upper limb injuries, Submission frequency, and Decision frequency decrease.

Conclusion: MMA has a high injury rate. Gender, way of finish, and weight play an important role in predicting fight outcomes and injury profiles. Injury prevention policies must be entertained to limit injury risk in MMA.     

Musculoskeletal ultrasound: an update

In summary, musculoskeletal sonography is a rapidly growing field of interest around the world. Outside of America, it is often the first and definitive imaging modality fordisorders of the musculoskeletal system. Musculoskeletal ultrasound offers rapid, inexpensive, real-time examination of the structures of interest with easy comparison to the contralateral side. Principles of one area of musculoskeletal sonography easily generalize to other areas.     

Risk factors for training injuries among British Army recruits

This study aimed to identify risk factors for training injuries resulting in referral to a remedial instructor (RI) or medical discharge (MD) among British Army recruits undertaking initial training. Physical performance and anthropometric data for 11,937 male and 1,480 female recruits were examined as potential risk factors for RI referral and MD, using Cox regression. There was a trend showing that female recruits' MD rates were higher than male recruits' rates (p = 0.096), and RI referral rates were significantly greater for women than for men (p = 0.041). The independent risk factors for MD were 2.4-km run time, ethnicity, and Army training regiment attended (p < 0.001), and those for RI referral were 2.4-km run time, ethnicity, Army training regiment attended, and body mass index (p < 0.001). Gender was not an independent risk factor for injury, suggesting that lower levels of aerobic fitness are the primary cause of the greater incidence of injury among female recruits during British Army initial training.     

Musculoskeletal injuries in female soldiers: analysis of cause and type of injury

OBJECTIVES: To record and analyse those injuries and conditions requiring referral to a military sports injury and rehabilitation centre over a three year period, with special reference to gender, type and site of injury, and the cause of the injury. METHODS: A prospective study in which data on the gender, diagnosis, and cause of injury, of all patients referred to the Colchester Garrison Sports Injury and Rehabilitation Centre was recorded. All subjects were trained, serving soldiers in the British Army referred via their General Practitioner. RESULTS: Low back pain (OR 2.71, p < 0.0001) and injuries to the hip, thigh and lower leg (OR 2.33, p < 0.0001) were more frequent in female soldiers. Military training (OR 4.62, p < 0.0001), work (OR 2.53, p < 0.0001), recreation (OR 2.39, p < 0.0001), and pre-existing conditions (OR 4.2, p < 0.0001) were the causes most commonly cited by female rather than male soldiers. There was no statistical gender difference for sport related or road traffic accident injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Female soldiers are more likely to sustain an injury than their male counterparts. Specific injuries account for the majority of this difference. Military training, work, and recreation are more likely to be the cause of injury in the female soldier. Conditions existing prior to military service were also more common. There was no gender difference in the injuries caused by sport or road traffic accidents. These results may act as a basis for targeted intervention in order to reduce inequality without reducing overall training standards.     

Dental population health measures: supporting Army transformation

General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff of the Army, has initiated the transformation of the Army with the goals of making the force more lethal, agile, and versatile. A key component to the transformation is deploying healthier soldiers that will result in the ability to decrease the amount of deployed medical support. This article describes two new population health measures the U.S. Army Dental Command is implementing to support the transformation. The new program will make it mandatory for dental providers to assess caries and tobacco risk at all active duty soldiers' annual dental examinations. These measures will allow the dental personnel to identify who is at risk for future disease and then to plan appropriate prevention strategies for those individual soldiers. These aggregate corporate data will allow dental leaders to target prevention services to the units with a high percentage of tobacco users. These new measures and the resultant prevention strategies can increase the readiness of our forces and can result in a healthier and mission-ready force.     

Musculoskeletal injuries in the ultramarathon: the 1990 Westfield Sydney to Melbourne run.

OBJECTIVE: To document the injuries sustained by participants in a 1005 km ultramarathon. METHODS: Clinical notes were reviewed on entrants in the 1005 km Sydney to Melbourne ultramarathon. An injury was recorded following self referral by a participant or if the history obtained from the runner or his support crew indicated the likelihood of a significant injury which could have an impact upon performance. RESULTS: 64 injuries were found in 32 runners. The knee (31.3%) and ankle (28.1%) regions were most commonly injured. The most common single diagnosis was retropatellar pain syndrome, and Achilles tendinitis and medial tibial stress syndrome were the next most common injuries. Peritendinitis/tendinitis of the tendons passing under the extensor retinaculum at the ankle, an injury infrequently reported in other sports, was common (19% of all injuries). CONCLUSIONS: The injuries were typically associated with running but 12 (19% of the total) involved the tendons of the muscles of the anterior compartment of the lower leg, and in almost every case the major site of inflammation was at the extensor retinaculum at the anterior aspect of the ankle. This injury appears to be relatively specific to the ultramarathon-"ultramarathoner's ankle".