How Subtalar Kinematics Affects Knee Laxity in Soccer Players After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury?

Purpose The goal of the current study was to ascertain whether there is an association between foot pronation and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a group of elite professional soccer players. Methods Two groups of soccer players were studied, all of whom played in the Greek Super League. The ACL group included players who had suffered an ACL injury in the last 2 years. The non-ACL group was composed of players who had never suffered an ACL injury. We used a 3D baropodometric laser scanner to measure pronation or overpronation (navicular drop phenomenon) of the subtalar joint and how this affects the subtalar joint while standing. We assessed ACL laxity using the Genourob Rotab. Results ACL-injured patients, regardless of the mechanism of injury, exhibited greater navicular drop values than a randomly selected group of subjects with no history of ACL injury. Conclusion Greater knee joint laxity and subtalar pronation may be associated with an increased risk of ACL injury. Pronation of the foot appears to be a risk factor for ACL injury. These findings should be integrated into future studies to better define how neuromuscular control related to lower extremity biomechanics is associated with ACL injury.

Prevalence of sport injuries in Olympic combat sports: a cross-sectional study examining one Olympic period.

BACKGROUND: Due to full contact impacts in combat sports, the risk of injuries is elevated. The aim of this study is to report severe injuries among athletes in Olympic combat sports. Specific injury types, time loss, and the performance level after injury are examined. METHODS: Survey to investigate injuries in Olympic combat sports during the time period from 2012-2016. Reported injuries were analyzed by anatomical location, injury type, gender, time loss, and performance level. RESULTS: The three injuries resulting in the longest time loss (ACL rupture: judo= 37 weeks; karate = 49 weeks; shoulder dislocation: wrestling = 41 weeks; shoulder rotator cuff injury: wrestling = 32 weeks) also accounted for the largest proportion of athletes with career-ending injuries (ACL rupture: judo = 28%; karate = 67%; shoulder dislocation: wrestling = 40%; shoulder rotator cuff injury: wrestling = 50%). Taekwondo and fencing had the shortest time loss (<12 weeks) among all combat sports. More injuries occurred during training (58%) as compared to competition (42%). Injury prevalence of competitive athletes was significantly higher as compared to recreational athletes. Male athletes suffered significantly more anterior cruciate ligament injuries (72% vs. 56%; P<0.05), unspecific shoulder injuries (89% vs. 47%; P<0.01), and elbow ligament injuries (57% vs. 30%; P<0.05) during training. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows that there are important differences between "punching and kicking" and "throwing" martial arts in terms of specific injury types. In judo and wrestling, the injuries are more likely to affect the joints (knee and shoulder). Therefore, injury prevention these sports should focus on strength training of the muscles surrounding the joints and on defensive reactionary movements to avoid dangerous biomechanical joint angles. In "punching and kicking" sports, injuries of the hands and feet, due to the large impact forces of strikes and kicks, could be reduced by improved protective equipment on hands and feet.

International differences in sport medicine access and clinical management.

I undertook the 2012 ECOSEP travelling fellowship, sponsored by Bauerfeind, between May and August 2012, which involved visiting 5 European sport medicine centres and spending approximately one week in each centre. The 5 centres included: National Track and Field Centre, SEGAS, Thessaloniki, Greece; Professional School in Sport & Exercise Medicine, University of Barcelona, Spain; Sport Medicine Frankfurt Institute, Germany; Isokinetic Medical Group, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Bologna, Italy, and Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Mile End Hospital, England. Throughout the fellowship, the clinical cases which were routinely encountered were documented. The following sections detail my experiences throughout the fellowship, the sports of the athletes and the injuries which were treated at each of the sport medicine centres during the fellowship visit and the different forms of management employed.

Non contact Hamstring injuries in sports.

Hamstring muscle injuries are frequent in different sports and are a clinical challenge for Sports Medicine Teams. Injury Mechanics are import to know while assessing the injured athlete. There are at least two distinctly different types of acute hamstring injuries, which are best distinguished by the different injury situations. Classifying the severity of the injury is equally important. Active Range of motion measurements, proper imaging selection and the anatomical location of the injury must be considered. Once the diagnosis is established rehabilitation issues must be considered. Recurrence rate of the injury and prevention are issues that must always be included in our Hamstring Injuries approach as Clinicians.