Do Young Athletes Need Vitamin D Supplement? Vitamin D Status and Deficiency Related Factor on Sports Type (Indoor vs. Outdoor), Age, Sex, Body Mass Index, Seasonal Variations in Korean Young Athletes / 대한스포츠의학회지

PURPOSE: Several studies have suggested that vitamin D deficiency has significant effects on muscle weakness, injury and illness, and ultimately, exercise performance. However, studies on vitamin D status and deficiency related factors for young athletes are still lacking. METHODS: Four hundred athletes who have undergone serum vitamin D (D2 and D3) test were studied. Vitamins were classified into three groups (deficiency, insufficiency, and adequacy). Blood sampling time was classified into four groups (spring, summer, fall, and winter). RESULTS: Of the 400 athletes, 31.5% were deficient, 48.25% were insufficient, and 20.25% were adequate in vitamin D. The group with lower vitamin D levels was older, had a higher body weight, and had higher body mass index. Comparisons by sex were significantly lower in female athletes than male athletes for indoor sports. Seasonal comparisons were significantly lower in winter than in spring, summer, and autumn. When the correlation analysis between the characteristics of the athletes and vitamin D was analyzed, there was a weak negative correlation between age and body mass index and height and weight were not related. Athletes' vitamin D levels are higher than the general population, but about 80% of them have vitamin D deficiency. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency causes exercise performance and performance deterioration; therefore, it is necessary to monitor and manage more closely when there are related factors.

Update in surgical treatment of shoulder injuries

Increased life expectancy, combined with advancements in medicine, has given rise to an increased prevalence of shoulder injuries. Additionally, the recent social trend in Korea of participation of younger generations in sports activities has also contributed to this increased prevalence. Many healthcare institutions, however, are performing surgery for shoulder injuries without thorough consideration of the complete clinical picture. Only a few of these injuries require surgery, and most of them can be treated and improved with conservative management. The need for surgery should be decided in conjunction with the consideration of the patient's age, living environment and level of physical activity. Here, we give a brief introduction to indications and methods for surgical treatment of shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff injuries, calcifying tendinitis, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and adhesive capsulitis.

Update in surgical treatment of shoulder injuries

Increased life expectancy, combined with advancements in medicine, has given rise to an increased prevalence of shoulder injuries. Additionally, the recent social trend in Korea of participation of younger generations in sports activities has also contributed to this increased prevalence. Many healthcare institutions, however, are performing surgery for shoulder injuries without thorough consideration of the complete clinical picture. Only a few of these injuries require surgery, and most of them can be treated and improved with conservative management. The need for surgery should be decided in conjunction with the consideration of the patient's age, living environment and level of physical activity. Here, we give a brief introduction to indications and methods for surgical treatment of shoulder injuries such as rotator cuff injuries, calcifying tendinitis, shoulder instability, osteoarthritis of the glenohumeral joint, and adhesive capsulitis.

Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy versus Platelet-rich Plasma Injection for the Treatment of Lateral Epicondylitis: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial

PURPOSE: To compare clinical outcomes of extracorporeal shockwave therapy and platelet-rich plasma injection for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis of the elbow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with a lateral epicondylitis who had refractory elbow pain more than 6 months and no response to treatment more than 3 months were recruited for this study. Diagnosis was made on the basis of physical examination and ultrasound imaging study. Prospective randomized trial was performed between two treatment groups; extracorporeal shockwave therapy versus platelet-rich plasma injection. Fifty patients for each group were allocated based on the results of power analysis. Disabilities of arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) scores obtained before treatment and at 1 year after the last treatment were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Both groups showed significant improvement of DASH scores after treatment. The patients who had platelet-rich plasma injection showed significantly greater improvement of DASH scores (from 37.0 to 11.1) than the patients who had extracorporeal shockwave therapy (from 41.9 to 29.9). CONCLUSION: Better subjective outcomes can be expected after platelet-rich plasma injection compared with extracorporeal shockwave therapy in patients with a refractory lateral epicondylitis.

Scapular Dyskinesis

PURPOSE: Scapular dyskinesis is an alteration in the normal position or motion of the scapula during coupled scapulohumeral movements. Vast majority of shoulder pathologies are known to be related with scapular motion abnormalities. Because there being enthusiasm about scapular pathology in recent literatures, understanding scapular dyskinesis seems to be an important subject. The authors describe the importance of scapular abnormality in terms of shoulder pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Usually the inhibition or disorganization of activation patterns in scapular stabilizing muscles lead to scapular dyskinesis. This motion abnormality has more important values in Elite Athletes because it might be the sign of future shoulder pathology; for example, SLAP and internal impingement. Treatment of scapular dyskinesis is directed at managing underlying causes and restoring normal scapular muscle activation patterns by kinetic chain-based rehabilitation protocols. Treatment is also important to prevent secondary shoulder injuries. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Understanding scapular pathology may be the main key to approach to the shoulder pathology. Also treating scapular pathology might be important in preventing secondary shoulder injuries.

Shoulder Operation

Although shoulder pain is a very common problem and compromised shoulder movement due to pain, stiffness, or weakness can cause substantial disability, many patients fail to recognize a need for a proper treatment. The diagnosis and treatment of the shoulder should be specified for each of the disease entity. Most of shoulder pain can be managed non-operatively with a well-organized rehabilitation program. However, the surgery should always remain as an option in case of failure of conservative managements, which can be seen from a definite indication of a patient's condition. The article presents four representative disease entities other than shoulder trauma occurring in old age which doctors see most often at outpatient's clinics. Impingement syndrome, rotator cuff tear, calcifying tendonitis, and arthritis are described in this article, introducing each diseases and surgical indications and descriptions, and their results.