Karatekas educated on injury prevention and supported by fitness coaches are more likely to practise injury prevention

To determine the current perceptions and practices of top-level karate athletes concerning risk factors and injury prevention programme (IPP) implementation in training and competition. Out of 90 eligible countries(933 athletes) participating in the karate World Senior Championships(WSC) in Madrid 2018, 50 countries (55.6%) represented by 137 athletes (14.7%; 52 females and 85 males) responded to a structured questionnaire. Of the athletes responding, 45% reported that their national team did not conduct any measures to reduce injury risk (43% among females and 47% among males; p = 0.68). Kumite athletes (51%) were more likely to practise injury prevention compared to kata athletes (25%; p = 0.016). Of the respondents, 69%, 60%, 60% and 34% reported having no team doctor, fitness coach, massage therapist and physiotherapist, respectively. A greater proportion of athletes who had access to a fitness coach (part-time or full-time) engaged in injury prevention strategies (67% and 51%, respectively) than those who did not (35%; p = 0.031). Athletes who had received previous advice about injury prevention were more likely to practise injury prevention (58%) compared to the rest (21%; p < 0.001). The current study revealed that: i) almost half of the karatekas already benefited from an injury prevention programme, ii) injury prevention programmes were practised more frequently when there was a fitness coach among their coaching staff, iii) karatekas who had received education about injury prevention were more likely to practise injury prevention programmes

Are clinical outcomes affected by type of plate used for management of mid-shaft clavicle fractures?

Abstract Background Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) using plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicle fractures is often complicated by the prominence of the implant due to the subcutaneous position of the clavicle. Reoperation rates for symptomatic clavicle plate removal have been reported to be as high as 53%. We sought to determine to which degree do clinical outcomes (all cause reoperation rate and rate of fracture union) differ between types of clavicle plates. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was performed using our hospital database for patients treated with ORIF for mid-shaft clavicle fractures (OTA/AO type 15-B). Implants included in this review were 2.7 mm reconstruction plates, 3.5 mm reconstruction plates, 3.5 mm precontoured clavicle plates and 3.5 mm locking compression plates. The primary outcome measure was the all cause reoperation rate. Secondary outcomes compared the rate fracture union, documented infection, hardware failures and clinical symptoms at the surgical site among the various plate types. Data was collected and descriptive statistics were analyzed. p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. Results A total of 102 midshaft clavicle fractures treated with ORIF were included in this study. The majority of patients were ≤ 50 years old (83.3%) and male (72.5%). The overall union rate for all plating constructs was 97.1%. We found that age, sex and smoking were not associated with the rate of re-operation. In addition, the fracture classification, type of implant used and number of screws used didn’t increase the risk of revision surgery. In addition, more than 50% of patients complaining of pain at 6 weeks post-operatively required a second surgery for removal of hardware. Moreover, there was no association between age, sex, smoking, fracture classification or plate type and the rate of union. Interestingly, clavicle fractures fixed with 3.5 mm reconstruction plates were more likely to have hardware failure due to plastic deformation, whereas 2.7 mm plates were more likely to fail by plate breakage. Conclusion Although different types of implants have different biomechanical properties, no difference in reoperation, union and plate removal rates were found between the various plate types. Future studies with a larger sample size are required to further examine these outcomes. Level of evidence Level III

Return to play after surgery for isolated unstable syndesmotic ankle injuries (West Point grade IIB and III) in 110 male professional football players: a retrospective cohort study.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate time to return to play following surgical stabilisation of isolated unstable syndesmosis injuries in a cohort of professional male football players. Methods All professional football players undergoing surgery for isolated unstable syndesmosis injury (West Point grade 65IIB) at a specialised Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital were followed up until return to play (minimum 656 months). Players with a stable syndesmosis, injuries older than 6 weeks, concomitant medial or lateral malleolar fracture or previous ankle surgery were excluded. During rehabilitation, time required to return to sports-specific rehabilitation, team training and first match play, were recorded. Results Between January 2012 and December 2017, a total of 110 male professional football players were included. The mean time required to begin on field rehabilitation was 37\ub112 days, while the mean time to return to team training was 72\ub128 days. The first official match was played on average 103\ub128 days postoperatively. Multivariable analysis revealed that the severity of injury, the concomitant presence of talar cartilage injury and the age of the player were significantly associated (p&lt;0.00001) with time to return to on field rehabilitation, team training and match play. Conclusion In this cohort of professional football players, surgical stabilisation of isolated unstable syndesmosis injuries (West Point grade 65IIB) allowed for relatively quick return to play. High grade injury (West Point grade III), concomitant cartilage injury and greater age were associated with longer return to play times. Level of evidence Longitudinal observational cohort study (level II)

Determining the force required in arthroscopic evaluation to assess the stability of syndesmotic ankle injury: a cadaveric study

peer reviewedIntroduction: The diagnosis of isolated distal tibio bular syndesmotic ankle instability proves to be a challenge. Although diagnostic imaging has added value, it is limited in the detection of distal syndesmotic ankle instability. The gold standard remains intraoperative testing through arthroscopic probing while externally stressing the ankle in a sagittal direction. However, no validated arthroscopic guidelines have been established to distinguish a stable from an unstable syndesmotic ankle joint. This cadaveric study presents anatomical and biomechanical data that can help surgeons correctly identify isolated distal syndesmotic ankle instability. Objective The purpose of this study is to quantify the necessary forces applied during ankle arthroscopy to evaluate syndesmotic instability in freshly frozen cadaveric ankles. Methods: A total of 16 fresh frozen cadaveric (age 58–74 years) ankles were included in the study. A dynamometer was used to measure the force necessary for the shaver tip to be inserted into the distal tibio bular joint with the ankle in a neutral position. Measurements were performed rst with the syndesmosis intact, and again following progressive transection of the syndesmotic ligaments, along with distal fixation. Results: Signi cant differences were noted in the mean force required between the anterior inferior tibio bular ligament (AITFL)+interosseous ligament (IOL) and no ligament cut methods (p<0.001 between the AITFL+IOL and AITFL cut (p<0.001; 95% CI 44.80 to 50.70), and between the AITFL+IOL and AITFL+IOL+ PITFL cut (p<0.001). There were also significant differences in the necessary mean forces applied between the one-SB and two-SB methods (p<0.001), between the one-SB and one-screw methods (p=0.010), between the one-SB and two screw methods (p=0.01), between the two-SB and two-screw methods (p=0.003) and between the one-screw and two-screw methods (p<0.001). Signi cant differences were found between the AITFL+IOL cut and the one-SB (p<0.001), the two-SB (p<0.001), the one-screw (p<0.001) and the two-screw (p<0.001) methods. Conclusions: This cadaveric study provides biomechanical data that can assist the surgeon in the arthroscopic evaluation of syndesmotic injuries. The data from this study need to be clinically correlated to ultimately assist in improving the outcome of patients with syndesmotic ankle injuries. Our study offers to bridge the gap to the development of arthroscopic tools that can identify the need for surgical xation to the syndesmosis based on the laxity of speci c ankle ligaments that contribute to subtle instability

Return to play after surgery for isolated unstable syndesmotic ankle injuries (West Point grade IIB and III) in 110 male professional football players: A retrospective cohort study

Objectives: To evaluate time to return to play following surgical stabilisation of isolated unstable syndesmosis injuries in a cohort of professional male football players. Methods: All professional football players undergoing surgery for isolated unstable syndesmosis injury (West Point grade ≥IIB) at a specialised Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital were followed up until return to play (minimum ≥6 months). Players with a stable syndesmosis, injuries older than 6 weeks, concomitant medial or lateral malleolar fracture or previous ankle surgery were excluded. During rehabilitation, time required to return to sports-specific rehabilitation, team training and first match play, were recorded. Results: Between January 2012 and December 2017, a total of 110 male professional football players were included. The mean time required to begin on field rehabilitation was 37±12 days, while the mean time to return to team training was 72±28 days. The first official match was played on average 103±28 days postoperatively. Multivariable analysis revealed that the severity of injury, the concomitant presence of talar cartilage injury and the age of the player were significantly associated (p<0.00001) with time to return to on field rehabilitation, team training and match play. Conclusion: In this cohort of professional football players, surgical stabilisation of isolated unstable syndesmosis injuries (West Point grade ≥IIB) allowed for relatively quick return to play. High grade injury (West Point grade III), concomitant cartilage injury and greater age were associated with longer return to play times. Level of evidence: Longitudinal observational cohort study (level II)

Obstacles and opportunities for injury prevention in professional football in Qatar: Exploring the implementation reality

Background Research focusing on reducing the risk of injuries has increased over the last two decades showing that prevention implementation in real life is challenging. Objective To explore the experience and opinions of professional football stakeholders regarding injuries, their prevention and the implementation of preventive measures. Design Qualitative study. Setting Technical and medical staff from Qatar's premier football league. Participants 22 professionals from 6 teams. Main outcome Semistructured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic analysis method. Results All the participants acknowledged the importance of injury prevention. They mentioned teamwork, trust and communication as critical factors for a successful injury prevention implementation. Teams' doctors see themselves mainly involved in the treatment and recovery process, and to a lesser degree, in the prevention process. Physiotherapists defined their primary responsibilities as screening for injury risk and providing individual exercises to players. The participants declared that the fitness coach is responsible for injury prevention implementation. All stakeholders reported that the fitness coach plays a vital role in communication by bridging the head coach and the medical staff. Stakeholders reported that the Qatari football league has a very particular context around the player, such as socioecological factors influencing injury prevention implementation. Conclusions The fitness coach plays a vital role in the injury prevention implementation system, as one of the key actors for the process, as well as the bridge between the medical team and the head coach, resulting from their better communication with the head coaches. The findings support considering and understanding the contextual factors during the development of preventive strategies in football

Obstacles and opportunities for injury prevention in professional football in Qatar: exploring the implementation reality

Background Research focusing on reducing the risk of injuries has increased over the last two decades showing that prevention implementation in real life is challenging.Objective To explore the experience and opinions of professional football stakeholders regarding injuries, their prevention and the implementation of preventive measures.Design Qualitative study.Setting Technical and medical staff from Qatar’s premier football league.Participants 22 professionals from 6 teams.Main outcome Semistructured interviews were transcribed verbatim and analysed using the thematic analysis method.Results All the participants acknowledged the importance of injury prevention. They mentioned teamwork, trust and communication as critical factors for a successful injury prevention implementation. Teams’ doctors see themselves mainly involved in the treatment and recovery process, and to a lesser degree, in the prevention process. Physiotherapists defined their primary responsibilities as screening for injury risk and providing individual exercises to players. The participants declared that the fitness coach is responsible for injury prevention implementation. All stakeholders reported that the fitness coach plays a vital role in communication by bridging the head coach and the medical staff. Stakeholders reported that the Qatari football league has a very particular context around the player, such as socioecological factors influencing injury prevention implementation.Conclusions The fitness coach plays a vital role in the injury prevention implementation system, as one of the key actors for the process, as well as the bridge between the medical team and the head coach, resulting from their better communication with the head coaches. The findings support considering and understanding the contextual factors during the development of preventive strategies in football

The injury mechanism correlation between MRI and video-analysis in professional football players with an acute ACL knee injury reveals consistent bone bruise patterns

Purpose To analyze the MRI features, in particular bone bruises pattern, of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injured footballers, and to correlate them with the characteristics of injury mechanism and situation obtained from direct video footage. Methods Nineteen professional football (soccer) players that sustained ACL injury while playing during an official match of First League Championship were included in the study. The video of injury was obtained from the Television broadcast. Knee Magnetic Resonance (MRI) was obtained within 7 days from the injury. BB and meniscal lesions were analyzed on MRI, while a video-analysis of mechanisms of ACL injury and injury dynamic were assessed from the videos. Results The most commonly involved Bone Bruise areas in the knee were the Posterior Lateral Tibial Plateau (LTp) in 16 cases (84%) and the Central Lateral Femoral Condyle (LFc) in 11 cases (58%). Three patients (16%) had bone bruise in the Posterior Medial Tibial Plateau (MTp) while none (0%) had bone bruise in the Medial Femoral Condyle. Based on the bone bruise pattern, 11 (58%) had simultaneous LFc and LTp and were defined “Typical” while 8 (42%) had other locations or no bone bruise and were defined “Atypical”. 9 out of 11 injuries (82%) of athletes with “Typical” pattern occurred with a “Pivoting” action”, in contrast to only 1 case (12%) in those with “Atypical” bone bruise pattern (p = 0.0055). The most common situational mechanism pattern on video analysis was “pressing” (n = 7) accounting for the 47% of the “indirect” ACL injuries. In terms of movement pattern, ten injuries (52%) occurred during a “Pivoting” movement (7 pressing, 1 dribbling, 1 tackled, 1 goalkeeping), whereas the remaining were classified as “Planting” in four cases, “Direct Blow” in four cases and “Landing”. Conclusion A well-defined and consistent bone bruise pattern involving the posterior tibial plateau and central femoral condyle of lateral compartment is present in footballers that sustained non-contact and indirect ACL injuries during pivoting with sudden change of direction/deceleration, while heterogeneous patterns were present in those with direct contact or injury mechanisms involving high horizontal velocity. Level of evidence Level IV.Other Information Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00167-022-07002-6</p