Athletes and superstitious rituals.

Superstitious rituals are common in sports and can play a role in athletes' optimism, sense of control, and confidence in performance. Superstitious rituals have characteristics rooted in tradition and need for perfection. While superstitious rituals vary in type of activity, it is necessary to consider their impact on players and the team, and to guide athletes into positive forms of expression to optimize their performance and overall well-being when engaged in their athletic activities. This paper explores the potential benefits and challenges of superstitious rituals, and the ways in which positive alternative pathways can contribute to peak performance in athletes.

A Schatzker Type III Tibial Plateau Fracture in a Soccer Player: A Case Report.

The tibial plateau is an important load-bearing surface in the knee, and when fractured, there is subsequent loss of motion and stability. These fractures typically result from axial loading and twisting. Our case outlines a tibial plateau fracture in a 15-year-old soccer player. The physical examination was positive for a decreased range of motion, pain with valgus stress, and positive ballottement. Radiography of the knee revealed joint effusion but no definite fracture. MRI revealed a Schatzker Type III fracture and a partial medial collateral ligament (MCL) tear. Our patient was referred for open repair and internal fixation. The Schatzker classification system is divided by type and location of fracture. Types I through III are located laterally, Type IV is medial, Type V identifies bicondylar fractures, and Type VI identifies tibial diaphysis separation from the metaphysis. These fractures are managed both nonoperatively and operatively. Nonoperative management is recommended for minimally displaced fractures that will heal without notable deformity. Operative management is indicated for displaced and unstable fractures, which include all fracture Types IV through VI, and certain Type I through III fractures that have valgus alignment or large articular surface involvement. Recovery time is lengthy and largely dependent on the fracture type. The first six weeks usually involve non-weightbearing, the second six weeks include weightbearing as tolerated, with knee range of motion exercises and muscle strengthening. Although open repair and internal fixation usually provide good results, some athletes cannot return to their previous levels of activity.

Intertrochanteric hip stress fracture in a male ultramarathon runner.

Stress fractures are injuries frequently seen in high-performance athletes, especially runners. In the femur, the most commonly affected locations are the femoral neck, condylar area and proximal shaft. Intertrochanteric fractures are much more common in the elderly population, especially among those with osteoporosis, but they can also be a result of high-energy repetitive mechanisms. We present a case of an intertrochanteric stress fracture in a young male runner. The diagnosis was suspected after persistent pain following his first marathon, and it was confirmed with an MRI. Operative fixation of the fracture was performed 22 days after the pain started, which allowed the patient to return to his activities, including 50 km marathon 4 months following the surgery.