The cleft sign may be an independent factor of magnetic resonance imaging findings associated with a delayed return-to-play time in athletes with groin pain.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings and define prognostic factors of the return-to-play time in young athletes with groin pain. METHODS: A total of 1091 consecutive athletes were retrospectively screened; 651 athletes, aged 16-40 years, with pain in the groin regions were assessed using MRI. Of these athletes, 356 were included for analysing the time to return-to-play. Univariate and multiple linear regression analyses were used to determine the associations between the time to return-to-play (primary outcome variable) and the following variables: age, sex, body mass index, type of sports, Hip Sports Activity Scale, clear trauma history, and 12 MRI findings. RESULTS: Four MRI findings, including cleft sign, pubic bone marrow oedema of both the superior and inferior ramus, and central disc protrusion of the pubic symphysis, appeared together in more than 44% of the cases. The median time to return-to-play was 24.7 weeks for athletes with a cleft sign on MRI, which was significantly longer than the 11.9 weeks for athletes without the sign. The median time to return-to-play was 20.8 weeks for athletes with BMI > 24, which was significantly longer than the 13.6 weeks for athletes with BMI â‰¦ 24. In multiple linear regression analysis of 356 athletes, in whom hip-related groin pain was excluded, and who were followed-up until the return-to-play, the body mass index and cleft sign were the independent factors associated with a delayed return-to-play. In contrast, iliopsoas muscle strain and other muscle injuries were associated with a shorter return-to-play. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple MRI findings were present in almost half of all cases. Body mass index and the cleft sign were independently associated with a delayed return-to-play time in young athletes suffering from groin pain. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Prognosis of Incomplete Avulsion of the Proximal Hamstring Tendon Is Determined by the Avulsion Location of the Proximal Hamstring Tendon Footprint.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that prognosis of incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon would be worse whether avulsion location reached the proximal part of the conjoined tendon (CJ) footprint or not. DESIGN: Retrospective chart review. SETTING: Outpatient specialty clinic. PATIENTS: We reviewed 345 consecutive athletes with hamstring injury. INTERVENTIONS: Based on magnetic resonance imaging, incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon was divided into 2 cases according to avulsion location without (cases A) or with (cases B) avulsion of the proximal part of the CJ footprint. OUTCOME MEASURES: We compared the time until return to play, subjective outcomes, and success rate of avoiding surgery between cases. RESULTS: Incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon was detected in 47 athletes (13.6%). Thirty-four athletes were classified as cases A, and 13 as cases B. Forty-two athletes (89.4%) were followed up until return to play. The median time from pain onset to return to play was significantly longer in cases B than in cases A (B, 39.3 weeks; A, 8.0 weeks; P = 0.00015). Subjective outcomes at return to play were significantly poorer in cases B than in cases A (P = 0.00054). Success rate of avoiding surgery were significantly poorer in cases B (55%) than in cases A (100%) (P = 0.00062). CONCLUSIONS: Incomplete avulsion of the proximal hamstring tendon was observed in 13.6% of hamstring injuries. Return to play, subjective outcomes, and success rate of avoiding surgery were significantly poorer with avulsion of the proximal part of the CJ footprint.

Iliopsoas Disorder in Athletes with Groin Pain: Prevalence in 638 Consecutive Patients Assessed with MRI and Clinical Results in 134 Patients with Signal Intensity Changes in the Iliopsoas.

BACKGROUND: Although iliopsoas disorder is one of the most frequent causes of groin pain in athletes, little is known about its prevalence and clinical impact. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the cases of 638 consecutive athletes who had groin pain. Each athlete was assessed with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). First, we identified the prevalence of changes in signal intensity in the iliopsoas. Then we classified the changes in signal intensity in the iliopsoas, as visualized on short tau inversion recovery MRI, into 2 types: the muscle-strain type (characterized by a massive high-signal area in the muscle belly, with a clear border) and the peritendinitis type (characterized by a long and thin high-signal area extending proximally along the iliopsoas tendon from the lesser trochanter, without a clear border). Finally, we compared the time to return to play for the athletes who had these signal intensity changes. RESULTS: Changes in signal intensity in the iliopsoas were detected in 134 (21.0%) of the 638 athletes. According to our MRI classification, 66 athletes had peritendinitis changes and 68 had muscle-strain changes. The time from the onset of groin pain to return to play was significantly shorter for the patients with muscle-strain changes on MRI than for those with peritendinitis changes (8.6 ± 8.3 versus 20.1 ± 13.9 weeks, respectively; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in MRI signal intensity in the iliopsoas were observed in 21.0% of 638 athletes who had groin pain. Distinguishing between muscle-strain changes and peritendinitis changes could help to determine the time to return to play.

Intramedullary screw fixation with bone autografting to treat proximal fifth metatarsal metaphyseal-diaphyseal fracture in athletes: a case series.

BACKGROUND: Delayed unions or refractures are not rare following surgical treatment for proximal fifth metatarsal metaphyseal-diaphyseal fractures. Intramedullary screw fixation with bone autografting has the potential to resolve the issue. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the result of the procedure. METHODS: The authors retrospectively reviewed 15 athletes who underwent surgical treatment for proximal fifth metatarsal metaphyseal-diaphyseal fracture. Surgery involved intramedullary cannulated cancellous screw fixation after curettage of the fracture site, followed by bone autografting. Postoperatively, patients remain non weight-bearing in a splint or cast for two weeks and without immobilization for an additional two weeks. Full weight-bearing was allowed six weeks postoperatively. Running was permitted after radiographic bone union, and return-to-play was approved after gradually increasing the intensity. RESULTS: All patients returned to their previous level of athletic competition. Mean times to bone union, initiation of running, and return-to-play were 8.4, 8.8, and 12.1 weeks, respectively. Although no delayed unions or refractures was observed, distal diaphyseal stress fractures at the distal tip of the screw occurred in two patients and a thermal necrosis of skin occurred in one patient. CONCLUSIONS: There were no delayed unions or refractures among patients after carrying out a procedure in which bone grafts were routinely performed, combined with adequate periods of immobilization and non weight-bearing. These findings suggest that this procedure may be useful option for athletes to assuring return to competition level.

Isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament insufficiency combined with grade II valgus laxity.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus about whether isolated anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using multistrand hamstring tendon with nonoperative treatment for chronic medial collateral ligament injury is sufficient. PURPOSE: To assess clinical outcome for patients with chronic anterior cruciate ligament injury and accompanying grade II valgus laxity who received medial hamstring anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction alone. Results were compared with those of patients with isolated chronic anterior cruciate ligament injury without valgus laxity. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Two hundred eighty-nine patients with isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury were compared with 53 patients with accompanying valgus laxity (minimum follow-up, 24 months). The following parameters were compared between the 2 groups at the last follow-up: range of motion, KT-1000 arthrometer value, pivot-shift test result, Lysholm knee scale, knee extensor muscle strength, return to sporting activities, subjective recovery, and International Knee Documentation Committee grade. Differences in clinical outcome were evaluated between those with preoperative International Knee Documentation Committee grade B and grade C and between those with grade A and grade B or C at final evaluation. RESULTS: Postoperative KT-1000 arthrometer value averaged 1.2 mm for those with isolated anterior cruciate ligament injury and 1.6 mm for those with accompanying valgus laxity (not significant, P = .281). There was no significant difference between these 2 groups regarding the other items. In patients with preoperative valgus laxity, KT-1000 arthrometer values at final evaluation between patients with preoperative grade B and C were not significantly different. The value for subjects with grade A at final evaluation was 1.3 mm and for those with grade B or C at final evaluation was 2.7 mm (P = .065). CONCLUSION: There was no clinically significant difference regarding outcome of anterior cruciate ligament multistrand hamstring reconstruction alone for 90% of patients with grade II valgus laxity who regained medial stability with nonoperative management compared with those who underwent the same anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction for an isolated anterior cruciate ligament tear.