ACR Appropriateness Criteria® Chronic Shoulder Pain: 2022 Update.

Chronic shoulder pain is an extremely common presenting complaint. Potential pain generators include the rotator cuff tendons, biceps tendon, labrum, glenohumeral articular cartilage, acromioclavicular joint, bones, suprascapular and axillary nerves, and the joint capsule/synovium. Radiographs are typically the initial imaging study obtained in patients with chronic shoulder pain. Further imaging may often be required, with modality chosen based on patient symptoms and physical examination findings, which may lead the clinician to suspect a specific pain generator. The American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria are evidence-based guidelines for specific clinical conditions that are reviewed annually by a multidisciplinary expert panel. The guideline development and revision process support the systematic analysis of the medical literature from peer reviewed journals. Established methodology principles such as Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation or GRADE are adapted to evaluate the evidence. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User Manual provides the methodology to determine the appropriateness of imaging and treatment procedures for specific clinical scenarios. In those instances where peer reviewed literature is lacking or equivocal, experts may be the primary evidentiary source available to formulate a recommendation.

Emergency Abdominopelvic Injuries.

The presentation of traumatic abdominopelvic injuries in sport can range from initially benign appearing to hemorrhagic shock. A high clinical suspicion for injury, knowledge of the red flags for emergent further evaluation, and familiarity with the initial stabilization procedures are necessary for sideline medical providers. The most important traumatic abdominopelvic topics are covered in this article. In addition, the authors outline the evaluation, management, and return-to-play considerations for the most common abdominopelvic injuries, including liver and splenic lacerations, renal contusions, rectus sheath hematomas, and several others.

Sleep and stress in the acute phase of concussion in youth.

This study sought to address the complex interplay between both biological and psychological perceptions of stress and sleep in the acute stages following a mild traumatic brain injury. A secondary goal was to identify potential targets for intervention. Eleven acutely injured youth (mean age 12 years) were studied at home with overnight actigraphy, salivary cortisol and melatonin assays, and subjective ratings of stress and fatigue (injured group). Nine matched control youth also were assessed (control group). Results suggested longer sleep latencies (time to fall asleep) and higher levels of fatigue in the injured group exist (p = 0.025 and p = 0.004, respectively). In the injured group, stress and sleep onset were significantly related with most subjects meeting criteria for Acute Stress Disorder. Melatonin levels were lower at bedtime in the injured group. Saliva samples were collected via passive drool at three time points: ∼1 h before bed ("bedtime" or T1), immediately upon waking (time 2: T2), and 30 min post-waking (time 3: T3). Overnight increases in cortisol (T1 to T2) were greater for the injured group; however, post-sleep changes in cortisol (T2 to T3) were reversed with control concentrations increasing. These findings are unique in using actigraphy and salivary hormone levels in an acutely injured youth while in their homes. The differences in sleep latency and the presence of injury-related stress point to potential treatment targets in acute concussion.

Concurrent Proximal Fractures Are Rare in Distal Forearm Fractures: A National Cross-sectional Study.

INTRODUCTION: Distal forearm fractures (DFF) account for 1.5% of emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. Clinicians frequently obtain imaging above/below the location of injury to rule out additional injuries. We sought to determine the incidence of associated proximal fractures (APF) in the setting of DFF and to evaluate the imaging practices in a nationally representative sample of EDs. METHODS: We queried the 2013 National Emergency Department Sample using International Classification of Diseases, 9th edition, diagnostic codes for DFF and APF. Current Procedural Technology codes identified associated imaging studies. We calculated national estimates using a weighted analysis of patient and hospital-level characteristics associated with APF and imaging practices. An analysis of costs estimated the financial impact of additional imaging in patients with DFF using Medicare reimbursement to approximate costs according to the 2018 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. RESULTS: In 2013, an estimated 297,755 ED visits (weighted) were associated with a DFF, of which 1.6% (4836 cases) had an APF. The incidence of APF was lower among females (odds ratio [OR] (0.76); 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.64-0.91) but higher in metropolitan teaching hospitals compared to metropolitan non-teaching hospitals (OR [2.39]; 95% CI, 1.43-3.99) and Level 1 trauma centers (OR [3.9]; 95%, 1.91-7.96) compared to non-trauma centers. Approximately 40% (n = 117,948) of those with only DFF received non-wrist radiographs and 19% (n = 55,236) underwent non-wrist/non-forearm imaging. Factors independently associated with additional imaging included gender, payer, patient and hospital rurality, hospital region, teaching status, ownership, and trauma center level. Nearly $3.6 million (2018 U.S. dollars) was spent on the aforementioned additional imaging. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequency of proximal imaging in patients with DFF, the incidence of APF was low. Further study to identify risk factors for APF based on mechanism and physical examination factors may result in reduced imaging and decreased avoidable healthcare spending.

Evaluation and Management of Rotator Cuff Tears: a Primary Care Perspective.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To provide a primary care perspective regarding the evaluation and management of shoulder pain and rotator cuff tears. RECENT FINDINGS: In the primary care setting, rotator cuff pathology is commonly encountered. Information regarding the risks of oral medications for the management of the associated pain keeps mounting. Partial-thickness rotator cuff tears remain difficult to diagnose with a single imaging modality. Musculoskeletal education in medical schools and non-orthopaedic residency and fellowship training programs continues to be an area for additional improvement. In the primary care office, the initial evaluation of shoulder pain should include a thorough musculoskeletal evaluation in order to identify the source of the pain (e.g., shoulder, cervical spine, chest wall), as well as the development of an initial treatment plan. Access to imaging modalities such as ultrasound and MRI can vary depending on the resources available in the primary care setting. The identification of patients who may benefit from early surgical referral is imperative for optimizing outcomes.

Longitudinal Improvement in Balance Error Scoring System Scores among NCAA Division-I Football Athletes.

The Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) is a commonly used concussion assessment tool. Recent studies have questioned the stability and reliability of baseline BESS scores. The purpose of this longitudinal prospective cohort study is to examine differences in yearly baseline BESS scores in athletes participating on an NCAA Division-I football team. NCAA Division-I freshman football athletes were videotaped performing the BESS test at matriculation and after 1 year of participation in the football program. Twenty-three athletes were enrolled in year 1 of the study, and 25 athletes were enrolled in year 2. Those athletes enrolled in year 1 were again videotaped after year 2 of the study. The paired t-test was used to assess for change in score over time for the firm surface, foam surface, and the cumulative BESS score. Additionally, inter- and intrarater reliability values were calculated. Cumulative errors on the BESS significantly decreased from a mean of 20.3 at baseline to 16.8 after 1 year of participation. The mean number of errors following the second year of participation was 15.0. Inter-rater reliability for the cumulative score ranged from 0.65 to 0.75. Intrarater reliability was 0.81. After 1 year of participation, there is a statistically and clinically significant improvement in BESS scores in an NCAA Division-I football program. Although additional improvement in BESS scores was noted after a second year of participation, it did not reach statistical significance. Football athletes should undergo baseline BESS testing at least yearly if the BESS is to be optimally useful as a diagnostic test for concussion.

Elevated blood pressure in the emergency department: lack of adherence to clinical practice guidelines.

OBJECTIVES: To determine emergency physician's adherence to American College of Emergency Physicians policy recommendations in the assessment of patients with asymptomatic elevated blood pressure (BP) in the emergency department (ED). METHODS: Retrospective study at a level 1 academic ED. Adult nontrauma patients with an initial systolic BP of at least 140 mmHg and/or diastolic BP of at least 90 mmHg, who were subsequently discharged from the ED were included. Patients were excluded if they had chest pain, shortness of breath, neurologic symptoms, or were pregnant. RESULTS: A total of 179 (female-102, male-77) patients met eligibility criteria with a mean age of 44 years±17.9 (SD). BP remained elevated in 71% (117/164) of the subjects that received repeat measurements at the time of discharge. Seventeen percent (28/164) had severe BP elevation (systolic BP≥160 or diastolic BP≥100) at the time of discharge. No association was found between pain scores and BP readings in triage (P=0.35). Complete end organ damage evaluation was performed in 3% (5/179). Only 6% (11/179) of patients were informed of elevated BP in the ED. Specific BP-related discharge instructions were given to only 5% (10/179) of patients. Follow-up with a primary care physician for re-evaluation of elevated BP was recommended in 6% (11/179). CONCLUSION: A vast majority of ED patients with persistently elevated BP did not receive BP counseling and referral for further evaluation of elevated BP, suggesting lack of adherence to American College of Emergency Physicians policy recommendations in the assessment of ED patients with asymptomatic elevated BP.

Basic recovery aids: what's the evidence?

This review summarizes the evidence base for using compression, massage, caloric replacement, cold, and heat as exercise recovery aids in sport.

Epidemiology of elevated blood pressure in the ED.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and demographics of elevated blood pressure (BP) in emergency department (ED) patients. METHODS: Retrospective study at an academic ED. ED patients with any systolic blood pressure (SBP) ≥140mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) ≥90mm Hg over a 1-year period were included. Data pertaining to frequency of elevated BP across different ethnic categories, age groups, days of the week, shifts, and gender were collected. RESULTS: A total of 44435 patient records were accessed. Overall 47.6% (95% CI, 47.2%-48.1%) of patients had elevated BP (SBP ≥140mm Hg or DBP ≥90mm Hg). Fifty three percent (95% CI, 52%-54%) were women. Among patients with elevated BP, 18% (95% CI, 17.8%-18.9%) had severe BP elevation (SBP ≥180 or DBP ≥110). Overall, patients >45years old were more likely to have elevated BP in ED. Across all ethnic groups, BP increased with age. Significant differences were noted in the prevalence of elevated BP between whites (52%), and other ethnic groups (African Americans [45%] and Hispanics [31%]) (P < .01). Overall, 64% (95% CI, 63.3%-64.6%) of patients with elevated BP were discharged from the ED. Forty four percent (95% CI, 42.4%-45.5%) of patients with severe BP elevation were also discharged from the ED. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides knowledge of distribution of elevated BP among different age, gender and ethnic groups in the ED which can be used to develop specific interventions to improve recognition, prevention, detection, and treatment of hypertension.