The American journal of sports medicine
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Stem cell therapy is emerging as a potential treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) and chondral defects (CDs). However, there is a great deal of heterogeneity in the literature. The indications for stem cell use, the ideal tissue source, and the preferred outcome measures for stem cell-based treatments have yet to be determined. ⋯ This review provides strong evidence that autologous intra-articular MSC therapy is safe, with generally positive clinical outcomes.
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Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury has been a major cause of missed game time among Australian Football League (AFL) players. Return to play after ACL reconstruction is not always achieved, even among elite athletes. The rate of subsequent ACL injury in the AFL from 1990 to 2000 was high as compared with that of other elite sports. ⋯ Most AFL players who underwent ACL reconstruction returned to play at least 1 AFL match. The high rate of subsequent ACL injury among AFL players demonstrates the highly demanding nature of Australian football, particularly at the elite level. The risk factors for subsequent ACL injury should be considered carefully when treatment and rehabilitation decisions are made for these high-demand athletes.
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Concussions in American football remain a high priority of sports injury prevention programs. Detailed video review provides important information on causation, the outcomes of rule changes, and guidance on future injury prevention strategies. ⋯ The results of this study suggest the need for expanded evaluation of concussion countermeasures beyond solely helmet-to-helmet test systems, including consideration of impacts with the ground and with the body of the opposing player. It also suggests the possibility of position-specific countermeasures as part of an ongoing effort to improve safety.
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Surgical treatment to repair partial anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury without reconstruction has demonstrated inconsistent clinical success. ⋯ Primary ACL repair combined with biologic healing augmentation to treat select cases of knee instability secondary to incomplete ACL rupture demonstrated good to excellent long-term outcomes in this cohort for those patients who did not experience secondary ACL insufficiency, with high rates of restoration of knee stability and return to preinjury athletic activities. The rate of secondary treatment for recurrent ACL insufficiency over the course of long-term follow-up was greater than would be expected for primary ACL reconstruction. Greater side-to-side differences in objective findings of ligamentous laxity were identified at shorter term follow-up in the patients who later went on to experience symptomatic secondary ACL insufficiency, compared with those who maintained stability long term.