Tönu Saartok

Acute First-Time Hamstring Strains During High-Speed Running A Longitudinal Study Including Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Findings

Background Hamstring muscle strain is one of the most common injuries in sports. Still, knowledge is limited about the progression of clinical and magnetic resonance imaging characteristics and their association with recovery time in athletes. Hypothesis Knowing the anatomical location and extent of an acute first-time hamstring strain in athletes is critical for the prognosis of recovery time. Study Design Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods Eighteen elite sprinters with acute first-time hamstring strains were prospectively included in the study. All subjects were examined, clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging, on 4 occasions after injury: at day 2 to 4, 10, 21, and 42. The clinical follow-up period was 2 years. Results All sprinters were injured during competitive sprinting, and the primary injuries were all located in the long head of the biceps femoris muscle. There was an association between the time to return to pre-injury level (median, 16; range, 6-50 weeks) and the extent of the injury, as indicated by the magnetic resonance imaging parameters. Involvement of the proximal free tendon, as estimated by MRI, and proximity to the ischial tuberosity, as estimated both by palpation and magnetic resonance imaging, were associated with longer time to return to pre-injury level. Conclusion Careful palpation during the first 3 weeks after injury and magnetic resonance imaging investigation performed during the first 6 weeks after injury provide valuable information that can be used to predict the time to return to pre-injury level of performance in elite sprinting.

Proximal Hamstring Strains of Stretching Type in Different Sports Injury Situations, Clinical and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Characteristics, and Return to Sport

Background Hamstring strains can be of at least 2 types, 1 occurring during high-speed running and the other during motions in which the hamstring muscles reach extreme lengths, as documented for sprinters and dancers. Hypothesis Hamstring strains in different sports, with similar injury situations to dancers, also show similarities in symptoms, injury location, and recovery time. Study Design Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 4. Methods Thirty subjects from 21 different sports were prospectively included. All subjects were examined clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The follow-up period lasted until the subjects returned to or finished their sport activity. Results All injuries occurred during movements reaching a position with combined extensive hip flexion and knee extension. They were located proximally in the posterior thigh, close to the ischial tuberosity. The injuries were often complex, but 83% involved the semimembranosus and its proximal free tendon. Fourteen subjects (47%) decided to end their sports activity. For the remaining 16 subjects, the median time for return to sport was 31 weeks (range, 9-104). There were no significant correlations between specific clinical or MRI parameters and time to return to sport. Conclusions In different sports, an injury situation in which the hamstring muscles reach extensive length causes a specific injury to the proximal posterior thigh, earlier described in dancers. Because of the prolonged recovery time associated with this type of injury, correct diagnosis, based on history and palpation, and adequate information to the subject are essential.

Acute First-Time Hamstring Strains During Slow-Speed Stretching Clinical, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Recovery Characteristics

Background Hamstring strains can be of 2 types with different injury mechanisms, 1 occurring during high-speed running and the other during stretching exercises. Hypothesis A stretching type of injury to the proximal rear thigh may involve specific muscle-tendon structures that could affect recovery time. Study Design Case series (prognosis); Level of evidence, 2. Methods Fifteen professional dancers with acute first-time hamstring strains were prospectively included in the study. All subjects were examined, clinically and with magnetic resonance imaging, on 4 occasions after injury: at day 2 to 4, 10, 21, and 42. The clinical follow-up period was 2 years. Results All dancers were injured during slow hip-flexion movements with extended knee and experienced relatively mild acute symptoms. All injuries were located proximally in the posterior thigh close to the ischial tuberosity. The injury involved the semimembranosus (87%), quadratus femoris (87%), and adductor magnus (33%). All injuries to the semimembranosus involved its proximal free tendon. There were no significant correlations between clinical or magnetic resonance imaging parameters and the time to return to preinjury level (median, 50 weeks; range, 30-76 weeks). Conclusion Stretching exercises can give rise to a specific type of strain injury to the posterior thigh. A precise history and careful palpation provide the clinician enough information to predict a prolonged time until return to preinjury level. One factor underlying prolonged recovery time could be the involvement of the free tendon of the semimembranosus muscle.

General joint laxity in 1845 Swedish school children of different ages: age- and gender-specific distributions

Aim: To evaluate general joint laxity in growing children with the aim of determining a cut‐off point for joint hypermobility. Methods: Using the Beighton score, 1845 children from 48 geographically randomly selected schools were evaluated for general joint laxity. The Beighton score evaluates the ability to perform a selection of manoeuvres involving five different joints. The children made up three different age groups (9, 12 and 15 y old) at the time of testing and were approximately equally distributed concerning age and gender in all groups. Results: There were significant differences in Beighton scores concerning both age and gender. Whereas boys presented significant decreases in the degree of general joint laxity with increasing age, girls presented the highest degree of general joint laxity at the age of 15. At all ages girls had a higher degree of general joint laxity

Eccentric treatment for patellar tendinopathy: a prospective randomised short-term pilot study of two rehabilitation protocols

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of two eccentric rehabilitation protocols for patients with symptomatic patellar tendinopathy. A new eccentric overload training device was compared with the present standard eccentric rehabilitation programme on a decline board. Design: Prospective, randomised clinical trial. Setting: Sports rehabilitation clinic, university sports laboratory, supplemented with home exercises. Patients: 20 competitive and recreational athletes, all with clinical diagnosis of patellar tendinopathy, verified by MRI or ultrasound imaging. Interventions: A 12-week rehabilitation period, either with bilateral eccentric overload strength training using the Bromsman device twice a week or with unilateral eccentric body load training using a decline board twice a week, supplemented with daily home exercises. Outcome measures: The primary outcome was pain and function, assessed by the Swedish Victorian Institute of Sport Assessment for Patella (VISA-P) score. Secondary outcome measures were isokinetic muscle torque, dynamic function and muscle flexibility, as well as pain level estimations using visual analogue scale (VAS). Side effects were registered. Results: Both treatment groups improved in the short term according to the VISA-P scores during the 12-week rehabilitation period. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in terms of pain and function. After a 3-month rehabilitation period, most patients could be regarded as improved enough to be able to return to training and sports. No serious side effects were detected in either group. Conclusion: In patients with patellar tendinopathy pain, two-legged eccentric overload training twice per week, using the new device (Bromsman), was as efficient and safe as the present standard daily eccentric one-legged rehabilitation-training regimen using a decline board.

Prevalence and co‐occurrence of self‐rated pain and perceived health in school‐children: Age and gender differences

In this nationwide study, 1975 students from grades 3, 6, and 9 (ages 9, 12, and 15 at the onset of the year), were recruited from randomly selected schools, which represented different geographical areas throughout Sweden.

Os Trigonum Syndrome: A Clinical Entity in Ballet Dancers

Thirteen Swedish National classic ballet dancers were surgically treated for an “os trigonum syndrome.” Their main symptom was an impingement pain in the hind foot while actively plantarflexing the ankle during ballet dancing. The surgical procedure included excision of an os trigonum or a prominent lateral posterior process of the talus, together with division of the flexor hallucis tendon sheath if it was thickened. This procedure was safe and resulted in return of the dancers to the same level of ballet dancing within 5 to 10 weeks.

Sports Massage after Eccentric Exercise

Background The use of sports massage is very common in the athletic community. However, only a few studies have shown any therapeutic effect of massage. Hypothesis Sports massage can improve the recovery after eccentric exercise. Study Design Prospective randomized clinical trial. Methods Sixteen subjects performed 300 maximal eccentric contractions of the quadriceps muscle bilaterally. Massage was given to 1 leg, whereas the other leg served as a control. Subjects were treated once daily for 3 days. Maximal strength was tested on a Kin-Com dynamometer, and functional tests were based on 1-leg long jumps. Pain was evaluated using a visual analog scale. Results There was a marked loss of strength and function of the quadriceps directly after exercise and on the third day after exercise. The massage treatment did not affect the level or duration of pain or the loss of strength or function following exercise. Conclusion Sports massage could not improve the recovery after eccentric exercise.

Muscle strength and endurance do not significantly vary across 3 phases of the menstrual cycle in moderately active premenopausal women.

ObjectiveTo investigate muscle strength and muscle endurance in women during 3 well-determined phases of the menstrual cycle: early follicular phase, ovulation phase, and midluteal phase. DesignProspective, within-woman analysis was performed of muscle strength and muscle endurance by repeated measures analysis of variance in 3 hormonally verified phases of 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. ParticipantsFifteen female subjects with moderate physical activity level and regular menstrual cycles volunteered to participate in the study. Analyses are based on 10 subjects who completed 2 consecutive menstrual cycles with hormonally verified phases. Main Outcome MeasurementsHandgrip strength, 1-leg hop test, isokinetic muscle strength, and muscle endurance were measured in 2 consecutive menstrual cycles in the early follicular phase, in the ovulation phase, and in the midluteal phase. Isokinetic muscle strength and endurance were tested with knee extension exercise on a standard instrument. Menstrual cycle phases were determined by analysis of sex hormone levels in serum, and ovulation was detected by luteinizing hormone surge in urine. ResultsNo significant variation in muscle strength or muscle endurance could be detected during different well-determined phases of the menstrual cycle. ConclusionsThis study detected no significant variation in muscle strength and muscle endurance during the menstrual cycle. In contrast to other studies showing variations in strength and endurance during the menstrual cycle, the present study was hormonally validated and was repeated in 2 consecutive menstrual cycles. However, it is unknown whether these data in moderately active university students would be relevant to the highly trained woman athlete.

Self-rated pain and perceived health in relation to stress and physical activity among school-students: A 3-year follow-up

&NA; The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess changes with age regarding prevalence of pain and perceived health in a student population, as well as change over time at grade level. Pain included frequency of headache, abdominal, and musculoskeletal pain and perceived health included problems sleeping and/or if they often felt tired, lonely, and sad. If gender, age (grade level), stress, physically activity were related to pain and health complaints were tested with multivariate logistic regression analysis. The students (n = 1908) came from randomly selected schools throughout Sweden and attended grades 3, 6 and 9 (ages 9, 12 and 15 at the onset of the year) in 2001. Three years later, 67% (n = 1276) of the same students answered a questionnaire that was constructed for the purpose of the studies. The responses given by the same students showed that girls’ complaints of pain and perceived health increased with age and boys decreased. Over half (56%) of the girls and two‐thirds (67%) of the boys reported no frequent complaints either year. At grade level most variables were rated the same as three years earlier by the same age group. Stress was significantly related to pain and health complaints for girls and the risk of complaints, as calculated with odds ratio, was most evident for students who were characterized as being physically inactive in 2001 and remained inactive three years later. Jointly, significant predictors, such as stress, being physically inactive, gender and grade level, explained 8–20% of the frequent complaints.