Effects of Low-Load Blood Flow Restriction Training on Rotator Cuff Strength and Hypertrophy: Case Series.

Background: The rotator cuff (RC) plays a pivotal role in the performance and health of the shoulder and upper extremity. Blood flow restriction training (BFRT) is a modality to improve strength and muscle hypertrophy with even low-load training in healthy and injured individuals. There is minimal evidence examining its effect proximal to the occluded area, and particularly on the RC. Hypothesis & Purpose: The purpose of this case series is to explore the effects of low-load BFRT on RC strength, hypertrophy, and tendon thickness in asymptomatic individuals. Study Design: Case series. Methods: Fourteen participants with asymptomatic, untrained shoulders were recruited to participate. They performed an eight-week low-load shoulder exercise regimen where BFR was applied to the dominant arm only during exercise. The dependent variables were maximal isometric strength of the shoulder external rotators(ER) and elevators (in the scapular plane in full can position) (FC) measured via handheld dynamometry, cross sectional area (CSA) of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles, and supraspinatus tendon thickness measured via ultrasound imaging (US). Mean changes within and between arms were compared after training using paired t-tests. Cohen's d was used to determine effect sizes. Results: All participants were able to complete the BFRT regimen without adverse effects. Mean strength and CSA increased for all variables in both arms, however this increase was only significant (p\<0.01) for FC strength bilaterally and CSA for the supraspinatus and infraspinatus on the BFRT side. The effect sizes for increased supraspinatus and infraspinatus CSA on the BFRT side were 0.40 (9.8% increase) and 0.46 (11.7% increase) respectively. There were no significant differences when comparing the mean changes of the BFRT side to the non-BFRT side for strength or muscle CSA. There were no significant changes to supraspinatus tendon thickness. Conclusion: These results suggest variability in response of the RC musculature to low-load BFRT in asymptomatic individuals. The potential for a confounding systemic response in the study design makes determining whether low-load BFRT is more beneficial than low-load non-BFRT difficult. The hypertrophy seen on the BFRT side warrants further study. Level of Evidence: 4.

Measurement Properties of the Timed Functional Arm and Shoulder Test in Patients With Shoulder Problems.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility, reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the Timed Functional Arm and Shoulder Test (TFAST) in patients with shoulder problems. METHODS: This study was a repeated-measures clinical measurement observational cohort study. A total of 104 patients who were symptomatic participated in this study. The TFAST was collected as part of an patient's outpatient physical therapist care at 6 different sites. The test and data collection were performed at 3 time points: baseline (initial evaluation), follow-up at the patient's first return visit within 7 days of evaluation, and discharge at the patient's final visit for care. RESULTS: All participants were able to perform the TFAST at baseline, with 1 exception, and 67 participants completed data collection at all 3 time points. There were no adverse effects in any participant related to performing the TFAST. Intrarater intersession reliability, reported as ICC(2,1), was 0.91 (95% CI = 0.79-0.95). The mean difference in TFAST scores for the affected arm was 23.2 repetitions (77.4 at baseline to 100.6 at discharge). The Cohen d effect size was 1.02, and the standardized response mean was 0.95. The minimal clinically important difference was determined to be 21 repetitions. CONCLUSION: The TFAST seems to be feasible and appropriate for use in a wider population than other existing shoulder performance measures. The TFAST has demonstrated adequate reliability, validity, and responsiveness in patients with shoulder problems. Clinicians may consider using the TFAST to objectively assess patient performance. IMPACT: The TFAST may be used to expand measurement of objective shoulder performance in a wide population of patients with shoulder problems. This test may provide information beyond an patient's self-report and contribute to clinical decision-making.

Traumatic Hip Dislocation in an NCAA DI Football Player with Occult Sequelae: A Case Report.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: American football generates the most sports-related injuries in the United States, with tackling as the leading injury mechanism. Overall injury rate at the collegiate level has been reported as 8.61 per 1,000 athlete exposures (AEs) - twice the rate of high school levels; competition injury rates are reported as high as 36.94/1000 AEs. Traumatic hip dislocation is an uncommon injury typically arising from high-energy axial impact with only 2-5.5% occurring during sports activities. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 22-year-old NCAA Division I football defensive back who experienced extreme left hip pain following contact with another player with his hip flexed during a game was diagnosed with a type 1 posterior hip dislocation, a grade 1 medial collateral ligament sprain with concomitant posterior thigh and hip muscle strains. Key impairments were limited left lower extremity motor performance, range of motion deficits, left hip pain, and diminished function and weight-bearing ability. OUTCOMES: The athlete reintegrated into typical defensive back off-season training approximately four to five months post injury without restrictions, however presented with new anterior hip pain seven months post injury revealing occult sequelae requiring surgical intervention. He was able to return to full play the following football season. DISCUSSION: This case report describes the successful return to sport of a Division I football player who sustained a traumatic posterior hip dislocation and complicated course including surgical intervention secondary to associated sequelae. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 5.

Neuropathic Glenohumeral Joint Resorption.

An 81-year-old woman was evaluated by a physical therapist at a skilled nursing facility 3 days post total knee arthroplasty (TKA). Following the evaluation, the on-call physician was consulted and radiographs were ordered. Radiographs revealed a chronic neuropathic joint with complete resorption of the humeral head and heterotopic ossification at the scapula. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(8):466. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9174.