Is There a Pathologic Running Motion Associated with Running-Related Injuries? A Methodological Study Using a Motion Analysis System Without Sensors.

(1) Background and objectives: Running-related injuries (RRIs) are commonly attributed to improper running posture and overuse. This study aims to analyze the running motions of individuals with and without RRIs using a sensor-free method, which offers a user-friendly and straightforward approach. (2) Materials and Methods: A total of 155 runners were divided into two groups: the normal runner group (runners who had never been injured, n = 50) and the RRI group (runners who had experience at least one injury while running, n = 105). The forward head posture (FHP), trunk lean, hip rotation, horizontal movement of the center of gravity (COG), vertical movement of the COG, pelvic rotation, hip hike, and type of strike were measured for posture analysis. (3) Results: We found that the left-right balance of the pelvis and the spinal posture during running were associated with RRIs. The difference in hip hike and FHP emerged as key predictors of running-related musculoskeletal injury occurrence from our logistic regression analysis. (4) Conclusions: Identifying pathological movements in runners through running motion analysis without the use of sensors can be instrumental in the prevention and treatment of RRIs.

The effect of platelet rich plasma from bone marrow aspirate with added bone morphogenetic protein-2 on the Achilles tendon-bone junction in rabbits.

BACKGROUND: To determine if exogenously injected bone marrow derived platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plus bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 could accelerate the healing of bone-tendon junction injuries and increase the junction holding strength during the early regeneration period. METHODS: A direct injury model of the bone-tendon junction was made using an Achilles tendon-calcaneus bone junction in a rabbit. In the PRP/BMP-2/fibrin group, 0.05 mL of bone marrow derived PRP and 100 ng/mL of BMP-2 both incorporated into 0.1 mL of fibrin glue were injected into Achilles tendon-calcaneus bone junctions. The effect of the intervention was tested by comparing the results of an intervention group to a control group. The results of biomechanical testing, and histological and gross analyses were compared between the 2 groups at the following time points after surgery: 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks. RESULTS: Histologic examinations showed that woven bone developed in tendon-bone junctions at 2 weeks after surgery in the PRP/BMP-2/fibrin group. Mechanical test results showed no significant difference between the PRP/BMP-2/fibrin and control groups at 2 and 4 weeks after surgery, but the mean maximal load in the PRP/BMP-2/fibrin group was significantly higher than in the control group (p < 0.05) at 8 weeks after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Bone marrow derived PRP and BMP-2 in fibrin glue accelerated healing in a rabbit model of tendon-bone junction injury.

Augmentation of autologous hamstring graft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using the bone chip technique.

The use of autologous quadrupled hamstring tendon graft is a well-known technique for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. In cases where the diameter of the graft is inadequate, the stability of graft fixation and subsequent bone to tendon healing may be compromised. We describe a new technique to augment the autologous double looped hamstring tendon graft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using cancellous bone chips. This simple technique effectively enhances graft fixation and stability.

Arthroscopic femoral tensioning and posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in chronic posterior cruciate ligament injury.

For the new arthroscopic femoral tensioning and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction in chronic PCL injury, we make a transtibial tunnel, using the posterior trans-septal portal, while preserving the remnant bundle of the original PCL and meniscofemoral ligament. Also, to preserve the remnant femoral fibers of the PCL and provide femoral tensioning, we manipulate the suture hook with No.1 PDS by hand so that the sharp tip penetrates the remnants of the PCL near the femoral attachment site. After pulling the sutures previously placed at the remnant PCL fibers, the notchplasty osteotome is advanced to the femoral footprint of the PCL to a depth of 1 to 2 mm from the shallow to the deep direction. Then the remnant PCL fibers are detached from the medial femoral condyle, which the authors call the artificial femoral "peel-off" tear. We drill the femoral tunnel using the outside-in technique in the anatomic place of PCL footprint, which is located 1 to 2 mm from the edge of the articular cartilage. This procedure significantly contributes to the posterior stability and proprioception of the knee joint, the remnant femoral fibers and meniscofemoral fibers are preserved to be healed with a graft and subsequently form an integrated structure.