The effects of intensive training on the musculo-skeletal system of elite young athletes

The effects of intensive training on the musculo­ skeletal system of 453 elite young athletes practising football, gymnastics, swimming and tennis were followed for two years. The study was a mixed longitudinal design, and five cohorts took part in it, covering the period between nine and 18 years of age. Three aspects were studied, namely injuries, flexibility, and isometric skeletal strength. Intensively trained elite young athletes did not appear to be injured as often as suggested by an increasing number of recent reports. When they were indeed injured, the impact of the injury, as judged by the time off training taken, was not serious. No inca­pacitating injuries were encountered during the study, and no athletes were obliged to give their sport up because of injury. Flexibility was shown to be sport specific, and, to some extent, joint specific. Upper and lower body flexibility were shown to be independent of each other, thus reinforcing the concept of training speci­ficity for optimal sports performance. Isometric strength of the upper (elbow flexors) and lower body (knee extensors) was within previously described normal ranges, although the athletes in this study were at the highest centiles of the norm

Lengthening in congenital limb length discrepancy using callotasis: Clinical, radiological and physiological studies

Limb lengthening is widely practised for short stature and limb length discrepancy. Gradual callus distraction following corticotomy, while breaching the cortex, leaves intact the medullary canal, and produces elongation of bone and soft tissues. Published work has generally reported the results of dwarfism and post-traumatic conditions. Data regarding the correction of congenital limb length discrepancy are not at present available. This thesis reports the work, carried out in a longitudinal fashion, performed on a selected group of 24 children undergoing lengthening to correct lower and upper limb congenital length discrepancy. The procedure, while being described by other authors as practically risk free, proved to have a significant number of problems, with all children suffering from pin site infection. The children had to be protected in a cast when the external fixation apparatus was removed to prevent fracture of the regenerate bone, which occurred in some of the early patients. Also, joint contractures had to be prevented and treated by intense physiotherapy. One child suffered from toxic shock following septicaemia stemming from pin site infection. Ultrasound scanning gives valuable information on the morphology of the regenerate bone. However, it is probably not sensitive enough to replace serial conventional radiographs in assessing the maturity of the newly formed bone. Children with a congenital short femur take two years to return to the pre-lengthening isometric strength of their knee extensor muscles

Failed Surgery for Patellar Tendinopathy in Athletes: Midterm Results of Further Surgical Management

Background:Tendon injuries are commonly seen in sports medicine practice. Many elite players involved in high-impact activities develop patellar tendinopathy (PT) symptoms. Of them, a small percentage will develop refractory PT and need to undergo surgery. In some of these patients, surgery does not resolve these symptoms.Purpose:To report the clinical results in a cohort of athletes who underwent further surgery after failure of primary surgery for PT.Study Design:Case series; Level of evidence, 4.Methods:A total of 22 athletes who had undergone revision surgery for failed surgical management of PT were enrolled in the present study. Symptom severity was assessed through the Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment Scale for Patellar Tendinopathy (VISA-P) upon admission and at the final follow-up. Time to return to training, time to return to competition, and complications were also recorded.Results:The mean age of the athletes was 25.4 years, and the mean symptom duration from the index intervention was 15.3 months. At a mean follow-up of 30.0 +/- 4.9 months, the VISA-P score improved 27.8 points (P < .0001). The patients returned to training within a mean of 9.2 months. Fifteen patients (68.2%) returned to competition within a mean of 11.6 months. Of these 15 patients, a further 2 had decreased their performance, and 2 more had abandoned sports participation by the final follow-up. The overall rate of complications was 18.2%. One patient (4.5%) had a further revision procedure.Conclusion:Revision surgery was feasible and effective in patients in whom PT symptoms persisted after previous surgery for PT, achieving a statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement of the VISA-P score as well as an acceptable rate of return to sport at a follow-up of 30 months

treatment decisions for acute achilles tendon ruptures

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Medial patellofemoral ligament reconstruction: a new technique

BACKGROUND: Primary patellofemoral dislocations are common. In most patients, non-operative management produces satisfactory outcome. If the dislocation recurs after a trial of rehabilitation, operative intervention is considered, with the aim of restoring the soft tissue anatomy to normal. Ninety four percent of patients suffer a tear to the medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) following a patellar dislocation. RESULTS: We describe our transverse patella double tunnel technique to reconstruct the medial patellofemoral ligament using a free autologous gracilis or semitendinous graft

Management of insertional Achilles tendinopathy through a Cincinnati incision

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>About 10% of patients not responding to 3–6 months of conservative management for insertional Achilles tendinopathy undergo surgery. Traditionally, surgery of the Achilles tendon is performed through longitudinal extensile incisions. Such surgery is prone to the complications of wound healing, wound breakdown and iatrogenic nerve injury.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We describe our current method of exposure of the Achilles tendon insertion and debridement of the peritendinous and tendon tissue with osteotomy of the calcaneum through a transverse skin incision at the level of the Achilles insertion.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>This method has been used since 2002 on over 40 patients for exposure of the Achilles tendon insertion and the distal Achilles tendon.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The Cincinnati incision allows adequate exposure, has minimal risk of symptomatic iatrogenic nerve injury, and has minimal problems related to the scar.</p

Slowed-Down Rehabilitation Following Percutaneous Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture

Background: Following percutaneous repair of acute Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures, early postoperative weightbearing is advocated; however, it is debatable how aggressive rehabilitation should be. We compared the clinical and functional outcomes in 2 groups of patients who followed either our "traditional" or a "slowed down" rehabilitation after percutaneous surgical repair. Methods: Sixty patients were prospectively recruited to a slowed down (29 patients) or a traditional (31 patients) rehabilitation program. Both groups were allowed immediate weightbearing postoperatively; a removable brace with 5 heel wedges was applied at 2 weeks. In the slowed-down group, 1 wedge was removed after 4 weeks. Gradual removal of the boot took place after 4 wedges were kept for 4 weeks. In the traditional group, 1 wedge was removed every 2 weeks, with removal of the boot after 2 wedges had been kept for 2 weeks. The AT Resting Angle (ATRA) evaluated tendon elongation. Patient reported functional outcomes were assessed using the AT Rupture Score (ATRS). Calf circumference difference and the isometric plantarflexion strength of the gastro-soleus complex were evaluated. Results: At the 12-month follow-up, both ATRA and ATRS were more favorable in the slowed-down group. The isometric strength and the calf circumference were more similar to the contralateral leg in the slowed-down group than in the traditional one. Conclusion: Following percutaneous repair of acute Achilles tendon patients undergoing slowed down rehabilitation performed better than the traditional one. These conclusions must be considered within the limitations of the present study

Check-rein technique for Achilles tendon elongation following conservative management for acute Achilles tendon ruptures: a two-year prospective clinical study

Background Following conservative management for acute Achilles tendon (AT) ruptures, the tendon may heal in continuity, and some patients may present with an elongated Achilles tendon-gastrosoleus complex. This study investigated the efficacy and feasibility of a novel minimally invasive technique, which we named "check-rein procedure", in patients with intact and elongated AT following conservative management for AT ruptures. Methods All patients who underwent the check-rein procedure for elongation of the gastrosoleus-AT complex by one experienced surgeon were prospectively enrolled. The AT resting angle (ATRA) and AT rupture score (ATRS) were assessed at baseline and repeated at 2-year follow-up, as were calf circumference and isometric plantarflexion strength of both ankles. Results Forty-three patients (43 procedures) were analysed. The mean time elapsed from injury to surgery was 28.7 +/- 7.9 weeks. The mean age at surgery was 38.5 +/- 5.7 years. At the last follow-up, ATRS, ATRA, isometric strength difference, and calf circumference of the affected side were increased (P &lt; 0.0001). The rate of the return to sport was 98% (42 of 43). No wound complications or rupture were experienced by any patient. Conclusion The check-rein technique for AT elongation after conservative management of AT tears is effective and feasible to restore tendon length and calf function. The surgical outcome was influenced by the preoperative performance status, and longer time elapsed from injury to surgery worsens the outcomes

Assessment of the effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for soft tissue injuries (assert): an online database protocol

Background Soft tissue injuries and tendinopathies account for large numbers of chronic musculoskeletal disorders. Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is popular, and effective in the management of chronic tendon conditions in the elbow, shoulder, and pain at and around the heel. Methods/Design Ethical approval was granted from the South East London Research Ethics Committee to implement a database for the Assessment of Effectiveness of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy for Soft Tissue Injuries (ASSERT) to prospectively collect information on the effectiveness of ESWT across the UK. All participants will give informed consent. All clinicians follow a standardised method of administration of the ESWT. The primary outcome measures are validated outcome measures specific to the condition being treated. A Visual Analogue Score for pain and the EuroQol will be completed alongside the condition specific outcome tool at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 24 months post treatment. Discussion The development of the ASSERT database will enable the evaluation of the effectiveness of ESWT for patients suffering from chronic conditions (plantar fasciopathy, tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, greater trochanter pain syndrome and patellar tendinopathy). The results will aid the clinicians in the decision making process when managing these patients