Injuries in male versus female soccer players: epidemiology of a nationwide study.

The aim of this study is to analyse soccer injuries on a national scale over one decade and to compare injury rates by gender. Detailed injury data obtained from the Royal Belgian Football Association from seasons 1999-2000 and 2009-2010 were recorded and gender differences in incidences of injuries, type of injury, affected body part and timing of injury were compared. A significant decrease in injuries from 7.56 to 5.96 injuries per 100 players was seen (p<0.0001). Overall male players sustained more cont usions, fractures, joint dislocations and musculotendinous injuries than female players. Proportionally, females sustained more severe injuries than men (p<0.0001). Significantly more injuries where sustained during competition in both males and females. The number of injuries in male and female soccer players has decreased over the past decade. A higher injury rate was seen in men but proportionally, females sustained more severe injuries.

The influence of leg length difference on clinical outcome after revision TKA.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this paper was to document the incidence of leg length changes after revision total knee arthroplasty (TKA) and its effect on clinical outcome. METHODS: Leg length difference (LLD) was prospectively measured in 85 patients using digital standing full leg radiography before and after revision TKA. Additionally the patient's subjective perception of LLD was assessed postoperatively. Linear regression models were used to study the correlation between each of these parameters and the clinical outcome after 1 year. Clinical outcome was evaluated by means of the Knee Society Score (KSS). RESULTS: Revision TKA resulted on average in an increased leg length of 5.3 mm. Sixty-five legs (76%) were lengthened with the procedure, 17 (20%) were shortened and three (4%) remained of identical length. Increased leg length after revision was positively correlated with clinical outcome at 3 months (Spearman r=0.22, p=0.044) and 1 year (Spearman r=0.26, p=0.027). The evidence for this correlation remained after correction for age, gender and diagnosis (p=0.012). The most important contributors to improved clinical outcome scores were improved pain score (Spearman r=0.19, p=0.09) and increased stability (Spearman r=0.13, p=0.24), rather than range of motion (Spearman r=-0.02, p=0.85). CONCLUSIONS: The results from our work indicate that revision TKA tends to lengthen the leg by approximately 5mm. Contrary to what might be expected, leg lengthening after revision TKA is correlated with improved clinical outcome. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2b.

Pseudoaneurysm of the superior medial genicular artery following knee arthroscopy.

We describe a case of a pseudoaneurysm of the superior medial genicular artery following arthroscopic knee surgery, which was diagnosed by means of computed tomography and arterial duplex ultrasound. The treatment consisted of surgical exploration with excision of the pseudoaneurysm, followed by ligation of the feeding artery.

The variability of surgical practice during total knee arthroplasty: results of a national survey amongst Belgian knee surgeons.

PURPOSE: Implant registries have been effective in detecting poorly performing implants and surgical strategies. They learn us however little about many variables that may be equally important to the final result. Today, no standards of care exist for performing total knee arthroplasties (TKA), and little is known about the variability that exists amongst surgeons performing this procedure. METHODS: A questionnaire with 39 aspects regarding standard surgical routine during TKA was sent to all 112 members of the Belgian Knee Society. Surgeons were stratified according to surgical experience and surgical volume. RESULTS: An important number of routines were performed as standard by the majority (>70%) of surgeons. Surgeons however significantly differed in the following aspects of the procedure: radiographic evaluation, use of minimally invasive surgery (MIS), preferred landmark for femoral component rotation, method of closure and activities allowed postoperatively. Both surgical experience and surgical volume had a significant effect, but their influence on strategies was different. Less-experienced surgeons used the posterior condylar line as their reference for femoral component rotation significantly more frequent than more-experienced surgeons and were more aggressive towards postoperative sports activities compared to more-experienced surgeons. High-volume surgeons used significantly more frequent MIS and low-volume surgeons preferred a more extensive postoperative radiographic evaluation. CONCLUSIONS: Data of this study show that an important number of routines are performed similarly by the majority of surgeons, and that minor but significant differences exist between high-volume versus low-volume surgeons, and between experienced versus less-experienced surgeons. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Case series, Level IV.