The relative incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury in men and women at the United States Naval Academy.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury in female versus male midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy. From 1991 to 1997, we recorded the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury during intercollegiate athletics, intramural athletics, and military training. The subjects were male and female varsity athletes, coed intramural athletes, and participants in military training consisting of the obstacle course and instructional wrestling. All patient data were collected at the time of injury. Records filed at the intramural sports office, along with a questionnaire completed by coaches and trainers, were used to estimate midshipmen exposures. Results showed that in intercollegiate soccer, basketball, and rugby, women had a relative injury risk of 3.96 compared with men. In coed soccer, basketball, softball, and volleyball, the women's relative injury risk was 1.40 compared with men. In military training, women had a relative injury risk of 9.74 compared with men. In comparing overall annual anterior cruciate ligament injury rates among midshipmen, we found that women had a relative injury risk of 2.44 compared with men. We concluded that female midshipmen have an increased relative risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury as compared with men in intercollegiate athletics, basic military training, and throughout their service academy career. This increase was not statistically significant at the intramural level of athletics.

Rupture of the peroneus longus tendon in a military athlete.

A 38-year-old active-duty Marine Corps officer with a history of ankle instability presented to the orthopedic clinic complaining of left lateral ankle and leg pain. A diagnosis of rupture of the tendon of the peroneus longus was made. This is an unusual diagnosis in an active Marine Corps officer. Surgical treatment markedly improved his symptoms.

Treatment of simple elbow dislocation using an immediate motion protocol.

The results of treatment after closed reduction of elbow dislocation vary. Twenty consecutive patients with closed posterior elbow dislocations were treated prospectively on a rapid motion, nonimmobilized functional regimen. This treatment protocol emphasizes immediate active range of motion under close supervision. No slings or splints were employed. Final range of motion averaged -4 degrees to 139 degrees. All patients attained final extension within 5 degrees of the contralateral side. Each patient achieved his final range of motion within an average of 19 days after reduction of the dislocation. Arm circumference returned to normal at an average of 6.5 days. There was one redislocation. After treatment, all patients met qualification for graduation from the U.S. Naval Academy and were able to pursue unrestricted athletic and career options. Our findings suggest that an aggressive immediate motion rehabilitation allows nearly full final elbow motion and an excellent functional outcome.

Dorsal Dislocations of the MCP Joint: Assessment and Closed Reduction.

Dislocations of the metacarpophalangeal (MCP) joint are not common, but when they do occur, they are usually dorsal (the proximal phalanx is displaced dorsally relative to the metacarpal), and typically involve the index finger. Prompt recognition of this injury is important to ensure the best possible outcome.

On-Site Treatment of PIP Joint Dislocations.

An athlete, in obvious distress, runs off the field during a game and seeks your help. "Doc, my finger, I jammed it, pull it out! Now, Doc! Come on, hurry up, I've got to get back."

Progression of meniscal degenerative changes in college football players: evaluation with MR imaging.

Intrameniscal degenerative changes, presumably due to mild repetitive trauma, have been shown in many college and professional athletes, but it is uncertain over what period of time they can develop or significantly progress. To ascertain this period, the authors used magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to examine one knee in each of 20 players in the starting lineup of a major college football team before and after the season. Only asymptomatic knees (right, n = 10; left, n = 10) were examined; the images were reviewed blindly by one experienced observer without reference to the other examination. A significant progression existed in the grade of signal intensity shown in the menisci over the course of the season (P less than .001). Although this is a small study covering only 1 year, these preliminary results suggest that significant degeneration can occur in the menisci of asymptomatic players over a single season.

Heterotopic ossification as a complication of acetabular fracture. Prophylaxis with low-dose irradiation.

In a retrospective review of thirty-seven patients who had operative treatment for thirty-eight complex acetabular fractures, postoperative low-dose irradiation was administered to seventeen patients (eighteen fractures) to suppress heterotopic ossification. All of the patients had been operated on through either an extended iliofemoral incision or a modified extended iliofemoral incision. The prophylactic radiation was administered using a low-dose protocol; most of the patients received 1,000 rads in 200-rad increments, starting on the third post-operative day. The incidence of heterotopic ossification in the eighteen irradiated limbs was much lower than in the twenty patients who comprised the control group (50 per cent compared with 90 per cent). Only two of the irradiated limbs had Class-3 heterotopic ossification as described by Brooker et al., and no patient had Class-4 (ankylosis of the hip). Of the twenty control-group patients, ten had severe heterotopic ossification: Class 3 in seven and Class 4 in three. The difference in the incidence of severe (Class-3 or 4) heterotopic ossification between the two groups of patients was significant (p less than 0.01).