Measures to prevent cricket injuries: an overview

Cricket is a major international sport, generally played in British Common-wealth nations. Although strictly a non-contact sport, injuries in cricket can result in a number of ways. In high level cricket, overuse injuries are common and related to the physical demands of the sport, particularly in the delivery of the ball. The bowling action involves repetitive twisting, extension and rotation of the trunk at the same time as absorption of large ground reaction forces over a short period of time. These movements, if performed incorrectly or too frequently, can lead to overuse injuries of the back, particularly in elite and high level cricketers. Cross-sectional studies have demonstrated that spinal overuse injuries occur more frequently to cricketers adopting a mixed bowling action than to those who favour a front- or side-on bowling technique. Strategies to ensure that cricketers do not adopt the mixed action or bowl too fast for extended periods can prevent these back injuries. Injuries resulting from impacts, generally from the cricket ball, can also occur and are more common during low level competition or informal participation. Because of the potential severity of these impacts, a range of protective equipment ranging from body padding to gloves and face protectors are now common features of standard cricket equipment. Although a number of measures to prevent cricket injuries have been widely suggested in the literature, there have been very few studies that have formally assessed their effectiveness in preventing injury. Further research is needed to gain a greater understanding of the biomechanics of cricket actions, the mechanisms of resultant injuries and the role of various risk factors in injury causation.     

Medical aspects of synchronized swimming

Synchronized swimming is a low-injury competitive aquatic sport for all ages. It requires flexibility, kinesthetic awareness, and aerobic conditioning, with the ability to function anaerobically as well. Few acute injuries occur during participation in the sport, but overuse injuries are becoming more common as synchronized swimmers participate in longer, more strenuous workout programs. Most common among these injuries are knee pain associated with the eggbeater kick and shoulder pain associated with sculling. Synchronized swimmers are also prone to otitis externa ("swimmer's ear") and chemical conjunctivitis. Stress-related symptoms are common.     

Verletzungen und Überlastungsschäden beim Golf

In 2016 in Rio de Janeiro golf as a new discipline will be part of the Olympic games for the first time. High loads in training and competition can lead to injuries and overuse problems in leisure sport golfers and in high competitive golfers. Low back pain and neck pain occur in 20-30% of all golfers. Tendinopathies and ligament strains of the shoulder, elbow or wrist are very common in the upper extremity. Soft tissue injuries around the hip and overuse syndromes around the knee including meniscal tears and cartilage problems can stop the sporting activity. Golf can be recommended for patients with arthroplasty of the hip or knee joint. Strengthening exercises and proprioceptive training can reduce the risk of injury or overuse.     

Knee injuries in tennis

Racquet sports involve sharp, side-to-side movements and impose significant valgus and rotatory stresses on the knee. Most knee injuries are indirect as a result of these acute stresses and overuse. Some of the more common racquet sport injuries include tennis leg, jumper's knee, patello-femoral pain, meniscal injuries, bursitis, and tendinitis.     

Diagnosis of climbing related overuse injuries

Sport climbing shows an enormous increase in participation, evolving to more popularity, including even school sport activity on high standards. Therefore the number of climbing related injuries is increasing and becomes a more frequently encountered medical problem. Typical climbing associated injuries involve predominantly the upper limb. Overuse injuries are the most common climbing related injuries.The clinical examination is the first line investigation, which is often limited especially in the acute phase. However, an exact diagnosis is desirable for therapeutic management. Imaging modalities have shown to be capable for detection of climbing related injuries. An overview about the current use of x-ray, ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in different climbing related overuse injuries is presented.     

Magnetic resonance imaging findings of golf-related injuries

Injuries related to participation in golf are becoming more common given the increasing popularity of the sport itself. Golf is considered to be an activity associated with a moderate risk for sports injuries. Golf injuries are usually attributable to overuse or traumatic mechanisms and primarily occur at the elbow, wrist, shoulder, and lumbar spine. None of these injuries are unique to golf, but each of these injuries represent the most common injuries associated with golfing. This article reviews a wide range of injuries that are encountered in golfers and describes the magnetic resonance imaging findings of each of these injuries.     

High frequency sonography in the detection of finger injuries in sport climbing

Sport climbing shows an increasing popularity, including even school sport activity on high climbing levels. Climbing related injuries are predominantly located in fingers/ hands ("climber's finger"), and can present as annular pulley rupture or more common as overuse injury. Beside clinical examination imaging modalities such as MRI and high frequency sonography have shown to allow for detection of climbing related injuries. High frequency sonography enables for exact differential diagnosis of climbing related finger/hand injuries and therefore plays a central role in adequate therapeutic management.     

Common Pediatric Sports Injuries

This article reviews the common acute and overuse injuries encountered in the pediatric athlete. Acute injuries are usually physeal or avulsion fractures relating to a single traumatic event. Overuse injuries are the result of repetitive stress and include the common traction apophysitis, osteochondritis dissecans, and stress fractures. Sports-related injuries most frequently involve the lower extremity with injury patterns and frequencies relative to the athlete's age, size, and type of sport. Indeed, an alternative title for this review might be òthe adolescent athlete as the changing biomechanics and psychosocial stresses of adolescence are inherent risk factors for sports-related injuries. An estimated seven million adolescents currently play high school sports with an increasing number becoming interested in extreme sports. It is hoped that this review will assist your future encounters with the injured pediatric athlete or òweekend warrior.     

Epidemiology of musculoskeletal injury in the tennis player

Tennis is a popular sport with tens of millions of players participating worldwide. This popularity was one factor leading to the reappearance of tennis as a medal sport at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. The volume of play, combined with the physical demands of the sports, can lead to injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Overall, injury incidence and prevalence in tennis has been reported in a number of investigations. The sport creates specific demands on the musculoskeletal system, with acute injuries, such as ankle sprains, being more frequent in the lower extremity while chronic overuse injuries, such as lateral epicondylitis, are more common in the upper extremity in the recreational player and shoulder pain more common in the high-level player. This review discusses the epidemiology of injuries frequently experienced in tennis players and examines some of these injuries' correlation with the development of osteoarthritis. In addition, player-specific factors, such as age, sex, volume of play, skill level, racquet properties and grip positions as well as the effect of playing surface on the incidence and prevalence of injury is reported. Finally, recommendations on standardisation of future epidemiological studies on tennis injuries are made in order to be able to more easily compare results of future investigations.     

Acute spine injuries in skiers and snowboarders

Skiing and snowboarding are popular winter sports associated with significant traumatic spinal injuries. Despite a decline in most injuries related to these sports over the years, acute injury rates of the spine have remained stable and even increased. Vertebral fractures and spinal cord injuries are the most common serious acute injuries of the spine in skiers and snowboarders. Due to the unique characteristics of each sport, different injury mechanisms are responsible for the majority of injuries. This article reviews injury patterns, injury types, mechanisms of injury, and strategies for prevention of spine injuries in skiers and snowboarders.     

Rehabilitation concepts and supportive devices for overuse injuries of the upper extremities

Rehabilitation of overuse injuries requires the health care professional to understand normal and common pathologic mechanics of the patient's sport or physical activity. Evaluation of the total mechanics of the body, not just the local area presenting with discomfort, is important. [figure: see text] The cause of the presenting injury can be a dysfunction at a distant site. Rest and supportive devices are helpful in allowing the athlete to return to a normal activity level. A progressive reconditioning program needs to address strength and flexibility issues and endurance and eccentric exercises.     

The epidemiology of foot and ankle injuries in sports

A 6 1/2-year review of 16,754 injuries seen in a multispecialty sports medicine clinic found that 25 per cent of the 12,681 injuries in the top 19 sports occurred at the ankle and foot. The percentages of foot and ankle injuries varied substantially from sport to sport, as did the proportion of sprains versus overuse injuries at each location. An appreciation of the patterns and numbers of injuries presenting to a sports medicine facility can be helpful in patient management and can aid the planning of both clinical investigations and educational programs.     

Evaluation and treatment of tibial stress fractures

Tibial stress fractures are relatively common overuse injuries that can often be difficult to treat. Other comorbid medical conditions, including the female athlete triad, need to be carefully evaluated and treated. Nonoperative treatment is the standard, but surgical intervention may be necessary. Intramedullary nailing may allow return to sport but does not guarantee healing.     

Evaluation of adolescent sport specialization and injury mechanism by sex: A secondary analysis

ObjectivesThe purpose of this study was to compare the association of sport specialization with previous overuse and acute injuries between male and female adolescent athletes.DesignCross-sectional study.MethodsQuestionnaires were completed by adolescent athletes from various sports at sport club summer events in the state of Wisconsin. Adolescent athletes (12–18 years old) who were active in organized sports in the previous year were recruited. The questionnaire contained demographics, sport participation, sport specialization classification, and previous injury history. Sport specialization classification was determined using common methods in sport specialization research. Previous injury was restricted to athletic injuries that occurred in the past year.ResultsTwo-thousand and eleven participants (age = 13.7 ± 1.6 years, females = 989) completed the questionnaire. Highly specialized athletes were more likely to report both acute and overuse injuries compared to low specialization athletes. However, this relationship differed by sex, with only moderate and highly specialized females being more likely (Moderate: OR [95%CI] = 1.74 [1.18–2.58], p = 0.005; High: OR [95%CI] = 1.69 [1.14–2.53], p = 0.010) to report an overuse injury compared to low specialization females. Highly specialized female athletes were more likely to report an acute injury (High: OR [95%CI] = 1.46 [1.06–2.02], p = 0.022) compared to low specialization females. Highly specialized male athletes were not associated with overuse or acute injuries.ConclusionsHighly specialized athletes were more likely to report acute and overuse injuries. However, when this analysis was separated by sex, only highly specialized females were more likely to report a previous overuse or acute injury.     

A prospective study of sport injuries in youth females

ObjectivesTo examine sports and physical education (PE) injury rates in youth females during a school year and to investigate if an association exists between injury and phase of the menstrual cycle.DesignProspective cohort.SettingAn online questionnaire was used to record training and competition exposure and self-reported injuries for 30-weeks.Participants103 PE students (12–15 years) from a girls’ secondary school.Main outcome measuresInjury rates and prevalence of acute, gradual onset/overuse and substantial injuries.ResultsOn average, girls trained 3.4 h/week and competed 1 h/week. During the study, 74 participants reported 595 injuries. The average weekly prevalence of all injuries was 20.7% (95% CI: 20.0–21.3), of which 8.6% (95% CI: 8.3–9.0) were acute injuries and 12.0% (95% CI: 11.4–12.6) were gradual onset/overuse injuries. The overall rate of sport and PE injuries was 10.4 injuries/1000 h of exposure. The most common acute injury involved the ankle (35%) while the most common gradual onset/overuse injury involved the knee (51%). There was no significant association between the stage of the menstrual cycle and the likelihood of injury (P = 0.18).ConclusionThe high number of injuries in this population of girls suggests preventative measures, particularly targeting the lower extremity, are needed.     

Epidemiology of tendon injuries in sports.

During the last few decades, the role of sports and physical activity has become more and more important in all modern communities. Conditioning sports are generally considered positive by many governments because of their beneficial effect on human well-being. The risk of injury is increased, for both acute traumas and overuse injuries, and prevention has also become more important in sports. Epidemiologic studies are important when planning prevention programs for sports injuries. Because of individual sport cultures and different sport habits in different countries, national epidemiologic studies are of importance in each individual country.     

Injuries in water polo

Water polo is the only true "contact" sport of the aquatic disciplines. This article deals with the most common, aggressive, acute injuries, and the repetitive, overuse strains and sprains facing any athlete. Research to date demonstrates that the combination of swimming and throwing (without the benefit of a firm base of support) places a unique demand on the water polo athlete. The shoulder continues to be the most recognized and studied area of injury, with lacerations and traumatic fractures of the face and hand the next most prevalent. The premiere of women's water polo in the Sydney (Australia) 2000 Olympic games will draw more attention to this exciting, challenging sport.     

Ultrasound of ankle and foot: overuse and sports injuries

Sports and overuse injuries of the ankle and foot are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Ultrasound (US) has been established as an excellent diagnostic modality for foot and ankle injuries, providing a rapid noninvasive, economical, and readily available tool that is well tolerated by the patient with acute or chronic pain. The opportunity for dynamic examination is another advantage of US in evaluating ankle and foot pathology, where maneuvers such as muscle contraction and stressing of the joint may be particularly helpful. In many cases, US can be used as a first-line and only imaging modality for diagnosis. This article focuses on ankle disorders related to sports or overuse that affect tendons, including tendinosis, tenosynovitis, paratendinitis, rupture, dislocation, and ligaments that are commonly torn. The sonographic features of certain common foot disorders related to physical activity and overuse are also discussed, including plantar fasciitis, Morton's neuroma, stress fractures, and plantar plate injury.     

Rückenmarktrauma und Syringomyelie

Spinal cord injuries often occur in cases of multiple trauma, can occur alone or in combination with concomitant injuries and are mostly associated with high morbidity and mortality. They often result in lifelong impairment and need for medical care. Radiologic diagnostics are crucial in the acute setting as well as in the long-term treatment of spinal cord injuries. Besides an overview of diagnostic and therapeutic management, typical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings in the acute and chronic stages of spinal cord injuries are presented in this article. Post-traumatic syringomyelia can even develop years after the initial injury of the spine or spinal cord. As syringomyelia can also occur in association with tumors, developmental anomalies and also idiopathically, a thorough MRI diagnostic is essential especially in any case of newly diagnosed syringomyelia.     

Overuse and traumatic extremity injuries in schoolchildren surveyed with weekly text messages over 2.5 years

The objectives of this prospective cohort study were to report the incidence, prevalence, and duration of traumatic and overuse injuries during a period of 2.5 years and to estimate the odds of injury types. In all, 1259 schoolchildren, aged 6–12, were surveyed each week with an automated mobile phone text message asking questions on the presence of any musculo‐skeletal problems and participation in leisure‐time sport. Children were examined and injuries classified as overuse or traumatic. The overall injury incidence and prevalence were 1.2% and 4.6% per week, with 2.5 times more overuse than traumatic injuries in lower extremities, and mean injury duration of 5.3 and 4.8 weeks, respectively. A reverse pattern was found for upper extremities, with 3.1 times more traumatic than overuse injuries and mean durations of 3.3 and 5.2 weeks, respectively. Grade level, school type, leisure‐time sport, and seasonal variation were associated with the risk of sustaining lower extremity injuries. Only grade level was associated with upper extremity injuries. The magnitude of overuse and traumatic limb injuries emphasizes the need for health professionals, coaches, and parents to pay special attention in relation to the growing and physically active child.