Evidence based management of sports related concussion.

Sports related concussion (SRC) is a common condition evaluated by healthcare professionals. In an article entitled "Return to Play After Concussion: Clinical Guidelines for Young Athletes" published in the December 2019 issue of the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, guidelines for the management of SRC were presented to assist healthcare professionals in the management of patients with SRC. However, much of the information presented in that article is contradicted by current expert recommendations and evidence based practice guidelines. The management of SRC has evolved to a nuanced, domain driven diagnosis requiring a multidisciplinary treatment team and a customized management plan for each patient to ensure competent treatment of patients with SRC. As such, this Commentary summarizes current recommendations for diagnosis and management of SRC.

Atlantic Coast Conference Mandatory College Football Medical Observer. A Necessary Addition to the Preexisting Medical Team?

Background: Some NCAA conferences now require a press box-based Medical Observer for all football games to identify injuries missed by on-field providers. The objective of this study was to determine whether a Medical Observer identified injuries missed by the on-field medical personnel. Methods: This was a comparative observational study of injury identification methods which was done at nine NCAA football games. The athletes on a single institution's varsity football team participated. Eight games and one bowl game were studied. Observers were sports medicine Fellows (Orthopaedic, Primary Care). Injury logs were kept by the Medical Observer to document game day injuries. The athletic training staff collected injury reports in the days following games. These were compared with game day injury logs to identify any injuries that were not reported to the medical staff during competition. Results: A total of 41 game injuries were identified (4.56 injuries/ game). 29 injuries (29/41; 71%) were identified by both the sideline medical providers and the Observer, 12 (12/41; 29%) were identified by only the sideline medical providers and no injuries were identified by only the Observer. A total of 95 game-related injuries were evaluated in the training room on the day after each game. 27 injuries (27/95; 28%) had been identified during the game (9 [33%] by the sideline medical team and 18 [67%] by both the sideline medical team and the Observer). Fourteen game injuries were not severe enough to require care the following day. There were 68 (68/95; 72%) delayed self-reported injuries treated by the training room staff the next day. Conclusions: A press box-based Medical Observer did not identify any injuries missed by the on-field medical staff. This study did, however, identify a large number of unreported game-day injuries that were treated the following day.Level of Evidence: II.

Clinical examination factors that predict delayed recovery in individuals with concussion.

BACKGROUND: Risk factors for prolonged recovery after concussion have been well researched, but specific objective clinical examination findings have not. This study examined whether clinical examination results could predict delayed recovery (DR) in individuals with concussion diagnosis. A secondary aim explored the influence of early examination on individual prognosis. METHODS: The study was a retrospective, observational cohort design that included 163 individuals seen at a concussion clinic who were followed longitudinally until cleared for sports activity. Cognitive, visual, balance, vestibular, and cervical clinical testing and symptom assessment were performed at initial evaluation. DR was calculated by taking the median value associated with time to clearance for activity. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was calculated to determine odds ratios (and 95% confidence intervals) for the odds of DR with presence or absence of each clinical finding. Multivariate analyses were used to define the best predictors of DR. RESULTS: 80 of 163 individuals were considered delayed in their clearance to activity. Cognitive impairments (OR = 2.72; 95%CI = 1.40, 5.28), visual exam findings (OR = 2.98; 95%CI = 1.31, 6.80), and vestibular exam findings (OR = 4.28; 95%CI = 2.18, 8.43) all increased the odds of a DR. Multivariate modeling retained cognitive symptoms and clinical examination-vestibular testing as predictors of delayed recovery. Time to examination after injury was a mediator for DR. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical examination provides value in identifying individuals who are likely to exhibit a delayed clearance. In particular, vestibular impairments identified clinically at initial evaluation and cognitive symptoms were associated with increased odds of a DR to return to activity. Our data support that early implementation of a standardized clinical examination can help to identify individuals who may be more at risk of prolonged recovery from concussion.

Evaluation of a Standardized Cardiac Athletic Screening for National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Athletes.

INTRODUCTION: Sudden cardiac death is a rare cause of death in young athletes. Current screening techniques include history and physical exam (H and P), with or without an electrocardiogram (ECG). Adding point of care cardiac ultrasound has demonstrated benefits, but there is limited data about implementing this technology. We evaluated the feasibility of adding ultrasound to preparticipation screening for collegiate athletes. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 42 collegiate athletes randomly selected from several sports. All athletes were screened using a 14-point H and P based on 2014 American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines, ECG, and cardiac ultrasound. RESULTS: We screened 11 female and 31 male athletes. On ultrasound, male athletes demonstrated significantly larger interventricular septal wall thickness (p = 0.002), posterior wall thickness (p <0.001) and aortic root breadth (p = 0.002) compared to females. Based on H and P and ECGs alone and a combination of H and P with ECG, no athletes demonstrated a positive screening for cardiac abnormalities. However, with combined H and P, ECG, and cardiac ultrasound, one athlete demonstrated positive findings. CONCLUSIONS: We believe that adding point of care ultrasound to the preparticipation exam of college athletes is feasible. This workflow may provide a model for athletic departments' screening.

Infectious Mononucleosis Management in Athletes.

Infectious mononucleosis is a common condition occurring in athletic training rooms. Most cases are due to Epstein-Barr virus infections (upward of 90%). Although treatment generally consists of symptomatic care, there is clinical variation in laboratory workup leading to diagnosis and in the method of return to play decision making. The authors suggest a systematic approach to laboratory evaluation and return to play decisions to minimize clinical variation. The most feared complication of infectious mononucleosis is potential splenic rupture. There have been several examples of the successful use of serial ultrasonography to help make maximally informed return to play decisions.

Fueling for Performance.

CONTEXT: Proper nutrition is crucial for an athlete to optimize his or her performance for training and competition. Athletes should be able to meet their dietary needs through eating a wide variety of whole food sources. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: PubMed was searched for relevant articles published from 1980 to 2016. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical review. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 4. RESULTS: An athlete should have both daily and activity-specific goals for obtaining the fuel necessary for successful training. Depending on the timing of their season, athletes may be either trying to gain lean muscle mass, lose fat, or maintain their current weight. CONCLUSION: An athlete will have different macronutrient goals depending on sport, timing of exercise, and season status. There are no specific athletic micronutrient guidelines, but testing should be considered for athletes with deficiency or injury. Also, some athletes who eliminate certain whole food groups (eg, vegetarian) may need to supplement their diet to avoid deficiencies.

Medicolegal aspects of sports medicine.

Legal issues in sports medicine are rapidly developing and establishing an important body of jurisprudence that defines the legal rights and duties of all those involved with protecting the health and safety of athletes. The law makes important distinctions between the relevant duty of care owed to high-school, college, and professional athletes because of the differing legal relationships that arise out of athletic participation at different levels of competition.

Diagnosis of heel pain.

Heel pain is a common presenting symptom in ambulatory clinics. There are many causes, but a mechanical etiology is most common. Location of pain can be a guide to the proper diagnosis. The most common diagnosis is plantar fasciitis, a condition that leads to medial plantar heel pain, especially with the first weight-bearing steps in the morning and after long periods of rest. Other causes of plantar heel pain include calcaneal stress fracture (progressively worsening pain following an increase in activity level or change to a harder walking surface), nerve entrapment (pain accompanied by burning, tingling, or numbness), heel pad syndrome (deep, bruise-like pain in the middle of the heel), neuromas, and plantar warts. Achilles tendinopathy is a common condition that causes posterior heel pain. Other tendinopathies demonstrate pain localized to the insertion site of the affected tendon. Posterior heel pain can also be attributed to a Haglund deformity, a prominence of the calcaneus that may cause bursa inflammation between the calcaneus and Achilles tendon, or to Sever disease, a calcaneal apophysitis in children. Medial midfoot heel pain, particularly with continued weight bearing, may be due to tarsal tunnel syndrome, which is caused by compression of the posterior tibial nerve as it courses through the flexor retinaculum, medial calcaneus, posterior talus, and medial malleolus. Sinus tarsi syndrome occurs in the space between the calcaneus, talus, and talocalcaneonavicular and subtalar joints. The syndrome manifests as lateral midfoot heel pain. Differentiating among causes of heel pain can be accomplished through a patient history and physical examination, with appropriate imaging studies, if indicated.

Fifth metatarsal stress fractures in elite basketball players: evaluation of forces acting on the fifth metatarsal.

Our hypothesis in this study was that significant forces act on the fifth metatarsal during certain maneuvers commonly performed while playing basketball and that medial arch support influences these forces. Eleven male collegiate basketball players participated in this study. Electronic pressure sensors capable of dynamic readings were inserted into the players' shoes, and surface electromyographic (EMG) electrodes were placed over the peroneus longus and brevis muscles. The players performed 3 common maneuvers postulated to place maximal stress on the fifth metatarsal. The maneuvers were performed in a standard basketball shoe, then in a shoe with an orthosis supporting the arch. During each of these maneuvers, EMG activity of the ankle everters was recorded, along with maximal force, total work, and time elapsed beneath the fifth metatarsal.

Conservative treatment of rotator cuff injuries.

Across all ages and activity levels, rotator cuff injuries are one of the most common causes of shoulder pain. The anatomy and biomechanics of the shoulder guide the history and physical exam toward the appropriate treatment of rotator cuff injuries. Rotator cuff tears are rare under the age of 40 unless accompanied by acute trauma. Throwing athletes are prone to rotator cuff injury from various causes of impingement (subacromial, internal, or secondary) and flexibility deficits, strength deficits, or both along the kinetic chain. Most rotator cuff injuries may be treated conservatively by using regimens of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), corticosteroid injections, and functional rehabilitation therapy. Injury prevention programs are essential for the long-term care of patients with rotator cuff disease, for primary prevention, and for prevention of recurrent injuries, unless a traumatically torn rotator cuff is present. Surgical management is reserved for refractory cases that have exhausted conservative measures.

Practical management: nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID) use in athletic injuries.

Nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are frequently used in the treatment of acute athletic injuries, often for analgesic purposes as the evidence to support enhanced healing is limited. However, the current evidence on NSAID use in athletic injury is slowly growing. On the basis of animal models and limited human studies, some practical management guidelines can be drawn to assist the sports physician. Specifically, NSAIDs are not recommended in the treatment of completed fractures, stress fractures at higher risk of nonunion, or in the setting of chronic muscle injury. The only exception may be very short-term use (eg, a few days) for analgesic purposes only. Judicious use of NSAIDs may be more appropriate in the management of acute ligament sprains, muscle strains, tendinitis, and eccentric muscle injury. However, length of treatment should always be kept as short as possible, with consideration of the specific type of injury, level of dysfunction, and pain.

Tibial eminence fracture in an adult: a possibility with rotational injuries.

Twisting the knee may cause tibial eminence fractures in skeletally immature children; however, the injury is far less common in adults. A lateral radiograph usually shows the fracture, but further imaging studies are needed to determine the extent of displacement and concomitant soft-tissue damage. Minimally displaced fractures can be managed conservatively with immobilization and physical therapy, but severe displacements will require surgical fixation to preserve the anterior cruciate ligament. Physicians should include tibial eminence fracture in the differential diagnosis of adults who sustain a twisting injury, particularly if the patient may have osteoporosis or bone weakness.

Heat illness in children.

With an increasing number of children and adolescents involved in competitive athletics throughout the calendar year, the sports medicine team must be familiar with preventing and treating heat-related illness. Heat illness is a spectrum of illnesses from heat cramps to heat stroke. Mortality for heat stroke ranges from 17% to 70%, depending on severity and age of the patient. Children are more susceptible to heat illness than adults for many reasons, including a greater surface area to body mass ratio, lower rate of sweating, and slower rate of acclimatization. The prevention of heat illness is based on recognizing and modifying risk factors, which include environmental conditions, clothing, hydration, and acclimatization. Once heat illness is suspected, treatment should begin immediately with rapid cooling procedures started on the field.