Mid- to long-term functional outcome and return to sport after elbow dislocation in bouldering: a clinical retrospective cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Traumatic elbow dislocations are among the most common injuries in sport climbing. They occur most frequently in bouldering (a climbing discipline with strong upward trend often performed indoors) due to the typical low-height backward fall into crashpads. There is still no data about the functional outcome and return to sport of this typical bouldering injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All Patients with elbow dislocations due to a bouldering associated fall between 2011 and 2020 were identified retrospectively in our level I trauma centre. Trauma mechanisms, injury types and therapies were obtained. Follow-up was performed with an online questionnaire including sports-related effects, return to sport and the Elbow Self-Assessment Score (ESAS). RESULTS: 30 patients with elbow dislocations after bouldering accidents were identified. In 22 (73.3%) patients the injury was a simple dislocation. The questionnaire was completed by 20 patients. The leading mechanism was a low-height fall into crashpads. Surgical procedures were performed in every second patient. 18 patients (90%) reported return to bouldering after 4.7 ± 2.1 months. 12 patients (66.7%) regained their pre-injury level. Mid-/Long-term follow-up (mean 105 ± 37.5 months) showed excellent results in ESAS score (97.2 ± 3.9 points). Persistent limited range of motion or instability was reported by only 3 patients (15%). CONCLUSION: Most athletes are able to return to bouldering but only two thirds regain their pre-injury performance level in this demanding upper-extremity sport. The unique low-height trauma mechanism may create a false sense of security. Specific awareness and safety features should be placed for climbing athletes to reduce elbow injuries.

Successful therapy of complex regional pain syndrome after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Complex regional pain syndrome is a neuropathic pain disorder associated with ongoing pain that persists beyond the usual expected tissue healing time and that is disproportionate to the degree of tissue injury present. Complex regional pain syndrome after hip arthroscopy has not been reported before. Hip arthroscopy is a fast-growing domain that could lead to an increasing number of complex regional pain syndrome cases, probably owing to the high traction forces that are necessary. CASE PRESENTATION: We report the case of a 30-year-old German female semiprofessional tennis player who presented with complex regional pain syndrome type I in the lower leg 3 weeks after hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome with suture anchor labral repair and femoroplasty. After 2 months of immediate multimodal conservative therapy including administration of gabapentin, prompt full weight-bearing, and intensified physiotherapy, complete recovery was achieved. CONCLUSION: Complex regional pain syndrome does occur after elective hip arthroscopy. Disproportionate postoperative pain or other symptoms raising suspicion of complex regional pain syndrome should be promptly evaluated and treated through a multimodal approach. Postless hip arthroscopy may be advantageous.

[Avulsion injuries of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles]. / Avulsionsverletzungen des M. glutaeus medius und M. glutaeus minimus.

Avulsion injuries of the gluteus medius and gluteus minimus muscles represent a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Such injuries are rarely to be expected in high-energy trauma. Degenerative damage or iatrogenic injuries in the context of hip surgery are more frequently identified as the cause. Clinically, in addition to lateral hip pain, limping is an important finding and depends on the extent of the tendon damage. In addition to the medical history and clinical examination, imaging by means of sonography and, above all, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, possibly with artifact-reduced sequences in the presence of an endoprosthesis) are diagnostically groundbreaking. Therapeutically, a stepwise approach is indicated according to the extent of rupture and quality of the gluteal tendon and muscle tissues. Specific conservative training regimens, mini-open/endoscopic anatomic reconstruction techniques in cases of gluteal muscle integrity and muscle transfer techniques as salvage option with chronic mass ruptures are available. The common goal is the restoration of everyday occupational and private activities to regain the quality of life.