Overuse injuries in equestrian athletes

Some 30 million Americans are involved in equestrian sports. Although there is significant literature regarding catastrophic injury, there is very little literature that addresses overuse injury and its effect on rider and horse. As the horse and rider function as a unit, overuse injuries to the rider can affect the horse's training and responsiveness. Sports physicians treating riders should understand correct posture in the saddle and its alteration by muscular imbalance and injury. This review discusses common equestrian events, and common overuse injuries in recreational and competitive riders.     

Overuse injuries in equestrian athletes

Some 30 million Americans are involved in equestrian sports. Although there is significant literature regarding catastrophic injury, there is very little literature that addresses overuse injury and its effect on rider and horse. As the horse and rider function as a unit, overuse injuries to the rider can affect the horse’s training and responsiveness. Sports physicians treating riders should understand correct posture in the saddle and its alteration by muscular imbalance and injury. This review discusses common equestrian events, and common overuse injuries in recreational and competitive riders.     

Overuse injuries in adolescent athletes.

As sports participation increases so too does the incidence of injuries, both acute and overuse. The growing skeleton is particularly susceptible due to the presence of growth cartilage at 3 locations; the epiphyseal plate, the joint surface and the apophysis. The risk of injury is most pronounced during the rapid growth spurt of adolescence when other factors, such as muscle tightness across joints, also become important in the aetiology of sporting injury. Overuse injuries seen in this age group may reflect the growth characteristics of the immature skeleton or may be of the type seen in adult athletes undergoing rigorous training schedules. Recent developments in organised competitive sport have seen growing individuals undertake prolonged and intensive training programmes when they are particularly at risk of sustaining an overuse injury. The training programme is one of a number of risk factors important in the generation of injury, many of which can be modified or controlled to an extent. Other factors such as growth deformities or malalignments are peculiar to the individual and preparticipation evaluation of the young athlete helps to identify those at risk. Whilst long term disability rarely eventuates, the loss of enjoyment and temporary incapacity resulting from this type of injury is significant. It is apparent that many of these injuries are preventable, and given the information available concerning the factors involved in their aetiology, it is the responsibility of coaches and health professionals alike to become involved in their early diagnosis, treatment and prevention.     

Overuse injuries of the extensor mechanism in athletes

This article reviews the functional anatomy, pathophysiology, and overall management of overuse injuries of the extensor mechanism in athletes.     

Overuse injuries

Stress injuries common to running athletes are always associated with a breakdown of the protective mechanisms normally inherent in healthy posture and gait. It is more important to identify and treat these breakdowns of the motor process than the resulting injury itself. Simple motor screening of athletes can identify functional abnormalities that lead to stress injuries. This screen includes assessment of flexibility of all major joints, responsiveness of primary postural muscles, posture, balance, and gait. Present definitions of physical fitness are focused on cardiorespiratory function and strength and do not properly determine the ability of an athlete to run or walk. The basic motor screen outlined in this article has been shown to be of value in correcting this shortcoming.     

Overuse injuries in sport: the foot

The authors discuss the clinical characteristics and treatment of such overuse injuries of the foot as plantar fasciitis, Haglund's syndrome, Jones' fracture, and tarsal navicular stress fractures. A consideration of orthotic devices is also provided.     

Overuse injuries in ultraendurance triathletes

Overuse injuries represent the largest percentage of sports-related injuries requiring medical treatment. These injuries represent a substantial health issue for the millions of adults who have made physical activity an integral part of their lifestyle, but may be even more important to those pursuing ultraendurance exercise. The purposes of this study were to report the type and incidence of overuse injuries in ultraendurance triathletes and to relate training practices to injury occurrence. Data was gathered from the responses of 95 competitors (75 men, 20 women) in the 1986 Hawaii Ironman Triathlon who completed a training and medical history questionnaire. In this sample, virtually all (91%) sustained at least one soft tissue, overuse injury during the previous year's training. The area of the body most frequently involved was the back, but the most common pattern was to have multiple areas involved. Because of the consistent combinations of injuries, mechanical abnormalities, such as diminished shock absorption, may have contributed to injury. Training habits were extremely variable and not directly related to either the incidence or type of injury.     

Overuse injuries in youth sports: biomechanical considerations

Many children today participate in highly organized sports programs that involve regimented year-round repetitive training. This type of training has led to an increased incidence of overuse musculoskeletal injuries. Sports physicians have dealt with sports injuries in children for many years and, on the basis of their clinical experience, have developed guidelines to treat and to try and prevent these injuries. The purpose of this article is to provide a biomechanical perspective of sports injuries in young athletes and blend ideas from this perspective with more traditional clinical perspectives that dominate the literature relative to this topic. Basic tissue and gross movement mechanics principles are used to identify growth, morphological, and movement factors that may predispose a child to an overuse injury. Several biomechanical analyses of simple movement tasks are presented to quantify the forces developed in various tissues and to illustrate the effects that growth can have on these forces. Guidelines are given for developing injury prediction models that may be used in the future to establish safe and effective training guidelines for children.     

Overuse injuries in the young athlete

Overuse injuries are now well known to sports enthusiasts at any age or level of competition. The seeming explosion of overuse stress fractures of lower extremity bones in high-profile professional basketball players has brought about widespread media attention and a better understanding of the phenomenon of "overuse syndrome" by the public. However, the spectrum of overuse injuries in the child or adolescent athlete has only recently been recognized. These injuries can range from the permanent disability of osteochondritis dissecans of the elbow to the completely nonspecific "growing pains" of active youngsters.     

Overuse injuries in the elite rock climber

Closed rupture of the flexor tendon sheath has been known to occur in the elite rock climbing population. However, only one study has investigated the prevalence of this entity. PURPOSE: To examine an elite climbing group in this country for the prevalence of pulley rupture and report on other commonly occurring injuries in the hand and elbow. METHODS: 42 elite rock climbers competing at the U.S. national championships were evaluated by an injury survey and concentrated examination of the hand and elbow. Manual testing for clinical bowstringing was done for each finger, by the same examiner. RESULTS: 11 subjects (26%) had evidence of flexor pulley rupture or attenuation, as manifested by clinical bowstringing. Injury to the PIP collateral ligament had occurred in 17 subjects (40%). Other commonly occurring injury syndromes are described. CONCLUSION: Our results and others suggest that closed traumatic pulley rupture occurs with significant frequency in this population. In addition, all subjects with this injury continued to climb at a high standard and reported no functional disability.     

Overuse injuries in sports. A review

Because knowledge of overuse syndromes is limited, the diagnosis and treatment of these conditions are a challenge to sports medicine physicians. Trial and error methods of treatment and too little attention to basic research have resulted in less than optimum solutions. We do know that these maladies most frequently result from overload or repetitive microtrauma stemming from extrinsic factors such as training errors, poor performance, poor techniques and inappropriate surfaces or intrinsic factors including malalignment and muscle imbalance. Overuse injuries involving the muscles include compartment syndromes and muscle soreness; while those involving the tendons result from a variety of degenerative and inflammatory processes. Overstress of bone results in stress fractures, apophysitis and periostitis. Bursitis and joint overstress problems are also discussed briefly. General guidelines for establishing the appropriate diagnosis are: the initial stages of therapy require rest, often a modification or scaled down exposure to the athlete's usual performance rather than complete abstinence; in acutely symptomatic cases pain medications and various measures to control inflammation may be necessary; an exercise programme should start early with range of motion exercises and isometric muscle contractions; when pain allows, dynamic muscle and flexibility exercises can resume together with a conditioning programme; if possible, eccentric exercises should be performed. The treatment may also include other conservative treatment modalities and surgery in special cases. Overuse injuries constitute a great diagnostic and therapeutic problem because the symptoms are often diffuse and uncharacteristic. An appropriate diagnosis followed by adequate treatment can improve or eliminate most of these conditions, but perhaps even more importantly a proper understanding of overuse syndromes should allow physicians to assist athletes, trainers, and coaches in preventing them.     

Overuse injuries of the upper extremity in baseball

The shoulder and elbow are prone to many overuse injuries in baseball. Injury to the muscles or ligaments leads to pain and loss of effectiveness in competition. Although many of these disorders respond to conservative management, surgery is sometimes necessary to provide pain relief and restore function. Unfortunately, overuse injuries that require surgery still are career-threatening injuries. Correct diagnosis and treatment increase the probability of a throwing athlete returning to competition.     

Head injuries in athletes

Head injury is a common consequence of athletic participation. Athletes, parents, coaches, trainers, and tem physicians must remain aware that there are potentially significant immediate and long-term effects from both serious and minor head injuries. The recognition of severe and minor head injuries, their immediate management, and guidelines for allowing athletes to return to competition provide the focus for this article.     

Overuse injuries of the lower extremity in runners

The purpose of this article is to review the literature on overuse injuries of the lower extremity in runners and to discuss briefly today's knowledge concerning etiology, diagnosis and treatment. Running is a natural entity in many sports and a majority of runners will sustain one or more overuse injuries throughout the career, in most cases affecting the lower extremity. A runner may be regarded as an athlete who regularly runs as the predominant physical acitivty. From that point, we should subdivide the definition "runner" considering the character of different sports or recreational activities performed. Overuse injuries are often described merely from symptoms, including several different etiological and pathoan-atomic correlates covering a variety of ailments. The clinical approach should be focused on a thorough history and physical examination. Analysis of possible injury mechanisms, correction of associated extrinsic and intrinsic factors and advice on alternative training should be given. A knowledge of specific demands from the type of running performed is necessary to evaluate the symptoms presented. Overuse etiology has to be considered multifactorial with a yet unsolved exact pathophysiology needing further research. The definition of a "runner", of "running" and of "overuse injury" should be established and agreed upon. This review attempts to draw attention to the huge multidisciplinary work that has to be done to better understand the mechanisms causing an overuse injury in a runner and to define diagnoses on a scientific base, whether or not excentric or intrinsic factors predispose or trigger.     

Hip injuries in athletes

Hip injuries are common in athletes, and there is an extensive differential diagnosis of potential causes. This article reviews the anatomy of the hip, and discusses the imaging findings of hip pathology in athletes including skeletal, intraarticular, and extra-articular abnormalities. The role of radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, MR arthrography, CT arthrography, and sonography in evaluating each condition is discussed.     

Elbow injuries in throwing athletes: a current concepts review

Repetitive overhead throwing imparts high valgus and extension loads to the athlete's elbow, often leading to either acute or chronic injury or progressive structural change. Tensile force is applied to the medial stabilizing structures with compression on the lateral compartment and shear stress posteriorly. Common injuries encountered in the throwing elbow include ulnar collateral ligament tears, ulnar neuritis, flexor-pronator muscle strain or tendinitis, medial epicondyle apophysitis or avulsion, valgus extension overload syndrome with olecranon osteophytes, olecranon stress fractures, osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum, and loose bodies. Knowledge of the anatomy and function of the elbow complex, along with an understanding of throwing biomechanics, is imperative to properly diagnose and treat the throwing athlete. Recent advantages in arthroscopic surgical techniques and ligament reconstruction in the elbow have improved the prognosis for return to competition for the highly motivated athlete. However, continued overhead throwing often results in subsequent injury and symptom recurrence in the competitive athlete.