Knowledge and Attitudes Towards Fluid Hydration of Athletes by Jamaican Track and Field High-school Coaches

ABSTRACT Objective: To determine whether or not Jamaican coaches' knowledge and practices of fluid replacement are on par with that of the National Athletic Association's and the American College of Sports Medicine Standards. Methods: A descriptive survey of 90 high-school track and field coaches in Jamaica was conducted. Coaches were given a 29-item survey questionnaire which adapted the content from previous surveys and also based on the National Athletic Trainers' Association guidelines for fluid replacement and information sources of fluid replacement. A pass score of 80% was employed. Results: Approximately 26.6% of participants passed the knowledge-based assessment with the minimum requirement of 80% and 73.4% of participants had an unacceptable level of knowledge about fluid replacement and hydration. Only 26 (28.9%) coaches received training in fluid replacement therapy. Most of them therefore relied on reading materials ranging from magazines to journals, or learnt it on the job from other coaches. Conclusion: Findings suggest that the level of knowledge in Jamaican track and field high-school coaches about fluid replacement and hydration is very poor. However, their attitudes towards fluid replacement and hydration are very good, and this will facilitate their acceptance and adoption of correct fluid replacement guidelines. Tapping into this positive attitude and implementing workshops, seminars and onsite promotion should improve the coaches' knowledge significantly.

Accuracy of Magnetic Resonance Arthrography in Detecting Rotator Cuff Tears / Precisión de la artrografía por resonancia magnética en la detección de desgarros del manguito rotador

ABSTRACT Objective: Shoulder pain, a common cause of productivity loss and health-related expense, is commonly due to rotator cuff tears. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with intra-articular gadolinium, MR arthrography, is accepted internationally as an excellent modality for evaluating the rotator cuff. Ultrasound is cheaper and only slightly less sensitive in detecting rotator cuff tears, but MR is superior in detecting ancillary lesions. Magnetic resonance arthrography was introduced at the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI), Jamaica, in July 2003. This study aimed to evaluate our experience with MR arthrography and assess its accuracy. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out. All MR arthrography cases performed at UHWI between July 2003 and July 2006 were reviewed. Medical records were reviewed to determine surgical correlation. Results: A total of 140 MR arthrograms were performed; 55% of the patients were female. Ages ranged from the second to the ninth decade, having a distribution approaching but not attaining a normal distribution (p = 0.03) with clustering in the middle years. Magnetic resonance arthrography demonstrated torn rotator cuffs in 40 patients, none of whom was under the age of 40 years (p < 0.001). Fifteen patients had surgery which confirmed torn rotator cuffs in all 15. Conclusion: Magnetic resonance arthrography was found to be accurate in detecting rotator cuff tears. It should be considered in the evaluation of patients with suspected rotator cuff tears. For patients under the age of 40 years, sonography could be used as an alternative.

RESUMEN Objetivo: El dolor en el hombro, el cual es causa común de pérdida de productividad y gastos relacionados con la salud, se debe comúnmente a desgarros del manguito rotador. La imagen por resonancia magnética (IRM) con gadolinio intra-articular - conocida como artrografía RM - se acepta internacionalmente como una excelente modalidad para evaluar el manguito rotador. El ultrasonido es más barato y sólo ligeramente menos sensible a la hora de detectar desgarros del manguito rotador, pero la RM es superior en la detección de lesiones secundarias. La artrografía por resonancia magnética se introdujo en el Hospital Universitario de West Indies (HUWI), Jamaica, en julio de 2003. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo evaluar nuestra experiencia con la artrografía RM y evaluar su precisión. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo. Se revisaron todos los casos de artrografías RM realizadas en HUWI entre julio de 2003 y julio de 2006. Se revisaron las historias clínicas a fin de determinar la correlación quirúrgica. Resultados: Un total de 140 artogramas RM fueron realizados. El 55% de los pacientes eran mujeres. Las edades variaron del segundo al noveno decenio, con una distribución que se acercaba pero no llevaba a alcanzar una distribución normal (p = 0.03), concentrándose en los años intermedios. La artrografía de resonancia magnética mostró desgarros de los manguitos rotadores en 40 pacientes, ninguno de los cuales tenía menos de 40 años (p < 0.001). Quince pacientes tuvieron cirugía que confirmaba desgarros de los manguitos rotadores en los 15. Conclusión: Se halló que la artrografía por resonancia magnética era exacta a la hora de detectar los desagarros del manguito rotador. Debe considerarse en la evaluación de pacientes con sospecha de desgarros del manguito rotador. Para los pacientes menores de 40 años de edad, la sonografía podría ser utilizada como alternativa.

Injuries in elite Jamaican netballers / Heridas en los voleibolistas jamaicanos de élite

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to identify the nature, spectrum and frequency of injuries among national netballers in Jamaica. METHODS: A retrospective study utilizing a questionnaire was used to gather the necessary information among netball players over a five-year period spanning two world cups. A 31-item questionnaire on player's profile, protective equipment, site of injury and associated factors of injury was completed by a study population recruited from players who had represented Jamaica at the senior level, under 21 or under 16 age groups between 2003 and 2007. Statistical analysis was done using the SPSS version 12. RESULTS: Most of the injuries were confined to the ankle and knee, with the playing surface and poor landing technique the main reasons for the injuries. CONCLUSIONS: There are wide variations in training, players' fitness, levels of coaching and the standards of playing courts, all of which might have contributed to players' injuries.

OBJETIVOS: El propósito de este studio es identificar la natural, el espectro y la frecuencia de las heridas entre los voleibolistas nacionales de Jamaica. MÉTODOS: Por medio de un cuestionario, se realizó un estudio retrospectivo entre los jugadores de voleibol a fin de obtener la información necesaria, el cual cubrió un período de cinco años. Un cuestionario de 31 items sobre el perfil del jugador, el equipo de protección, el lugar de la herida y los factors asociados con la herida, fue respondido por una población de estudio, reclutada de jugadores que habían representado a Jamaica en la categoría de mayores, correspondiente a los grupos de menos de 21 años y menos de 16 años de edad. El análisis estadístico se realizó usando la versión 12 del SPSS. RESULTADOS: La mayoría de las heridas estuvieron confinadas al tobillo y las rodillas, siendo la superficie del terreno de juego y la pobre técnica de aterrizaje, las razones principales de las heridas. CONCLUSIONES: Existe una amplia gama de variaciones en el entrenamiento, el estar en forma (fitness), los niveles de coaching, y las normas de las canchas de juego, todas las cuales pudieron haber contribuido a que los jugadores sufrieran heridas.

Posterior ankle impingement in fast bowlers in cricket / Pinzamiento posterior del tobillo en lanzadores de críquet rápidos

OBJECTIVES: To determine common features of posterior ankle impingement in fast bowlers in the West Indies and to compare modes of treatment with respect to return to play without pain. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of ankle impingement injuries treated in fast bowlers in the West Indies. RESULTS: Six fast bowlers had evidence of os trigonum in the front foot only. Pain was felt on forced plantar flexion and dorsiflexion on front foot landing; no pain was felt with running. Four had large os trigonum on radiographs, and one was only detectable on Magnetic Resonance (MRI) Imaging. The condition resolved in two bowlers with low workloads who had injections with steroid. The remainder had surgical excision which led to recovery. CONCLUSION: This injury is being seen increasingly in fast bowlers. Steroid injections are useful in bowlers with low workloads but surgical excision is recommended in bowlers with heavy workloads. Further investigation is required in the biomechanics of bowling to determine the cause for the increase in this condition.

OBJETIVO: Determinar rasgos comunes del pinzamiento posterior del tobillo en lanzadores rápidos de West Indies, y comparar modos de tratamiento dirigidos a que puedan volver a jugar sin dolor. MÉTODO: Análisis retrospectivo del tratamiento de lesiones por pinzamiento del tobillo en lanzadores rápidos de West Indies. RESULTADOS: Seis lanzadores rápidos presentaban evidencia de os trigonum en el pie delantero solamente. Sentían dolor en la flexión plantar forzada y dorsiflexión al aterrizar con el pie delantero; no sentían ningún dolor al correr. Cuatro tenían os trigonum grandes según podía observarse en las radiografías, y un os trigonum era sólo detectable mediante imagen por resonancia magnética (IRM). La condición se resolvió en dos lanzadores con baja carga de trabajo, que recibieron inyecciones de esteroides. El resto recibió una escisión quirúrgica que condujo finalmente a la recuperación. CONCLUSIÓN: Este tipo de lesión viene observándose cada vez más en lanzadores rápidos. Las inyecciones de esteroide son útiles en lanzadores con baja carga de trabajo, pero en el caso de aquellos con alta carga de trabajo, se recomienda la escisión quirúrgica. Se requiere más investigación de la biomecánica del lanzamiento en el críquet a fin de determinar la causa del aumento de esta condición.

Acute haematogenous anaerobic osteomyelitis in sickle cell disease. A case report and review of the literature

Patients with sickle cell disease are more susceptible to acute anaerobic osteomyelitis due to focal gut mucosal ischaemia, translocation of bacteria, and seeding in infarcted bone marrow. Modulation of the immune system is also present. The isolation of anaerobic organisms requires a high index of suspicion, correct specimen collection procedures and meticulous specimen handling. Bacteroides is the predominant organism isolated. Intra-osseous gas in the bone may be seen within four days and radiographs are therefore useful earlier than with aerobic osteomyelitis. Surgical débridement and intravenous antibiotics are the mainstay of treatment with the erythrocyte sedimentation rate being relied on heavily to guide conversion to oral antibiotics. Coexistence of septic arthritis is more common with anaerobic osteomyelitis

Hand infections in Jamaica

Empirical antibiotic treatment for hand infections is changing to single antibiotic therapy against Staphylococcus aureus in immunocompetent patients. Fifty-one patients treated surgically for hand infections were reviewed to assess the nature of infection in terms of site, organism, mechanism of injury, and antibiotic sensitivity of the organisms. Twenty-three per cent of patients had diabetes mellitus and were noted to be older than non-diabetics. Eighty-four per cent of non-diabetic patients had single organism infections, 59 involving S aureus. Fifty per cent of diabetic patients had multi-organism infection caused by gram positive and gram negative organisms. Patients stuck with a piece of wood also had multi-organism infections. Double antibiotic therapy is therefore advocated for patients with diabetes mellitus and all patients who had hand infections as a result of being stuck with a piece of wood. All others should have single antibiotic therapy with amoxycillin and clavulanic acid.

Inactivation of strongyloides stercoralis filariform larvae in vitro by six Jamaican plant extracts and three commercial antihelmintics

In vitro bioassay of (a) aqueous methanol extracts (AME) of the green leaves of mimosa (Mimosa pudica), love weed (Cuscuta americana), vervine (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), chicken weed (Salvia serotina) and breadfruit (Artocarpus altilis); (b) methanol-water fraction (MWF) of breadfruit leaves, and (c) commercially available drugs albendazole, thiabendazole and levamisole were assayed for nematode inactivating potential, using filariform larvae of Strongyloides stercoralis. Test larvae were obtained from a 10-day-old charcoal coproculture. Bioassays were conducted in Locke's solution, using 100 larvae in each of three replicates. Inactivation was recorded microscopically at 1, 2, 6 and 12 hours, then every 24 hours up to 5 days' incubation. It(50) (time for inactivation of 50%of larvae) values read: levamisole and mimosa extract < 1 hour; love weed extract, approximately 2 hours; breadfruit (MWF), 9.5 hours; chicken weed, 20 hours; albendazole, 35 hours; breadfruit (AME), 49 hours; thiabendazole, 74 hours and vervine extract, 81.5 hours. It(95) values followed a similar trend, and were approximately double the It(50) measures. A potential role for locally available natural products in the treatment of strongyloidiasis is highlighted