The American journal of sports medicine
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Comparative Study
A 7-year follow-up of patellar tendon and hamstring tendon grafts for arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: differences and similarities.
For arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, the most commonly used graft constructs are either the hamstring tendon or patellar tendon. Well-controlled, long-term studies are needed to determine the differences between the 2 materials. ⋯ Both hamstring and patellar tendon grafts provided good subjective outcomes and objective stability at 7 years. No significant differences in the rate of graft rupture or contralateral anterior cruciate ligament rupture were identified. Patients with patellar tendon grafts had a greater prevalence of osteoarthritis at 7 years after surgery; therefore, the authors preferred hamstring tendons as the primary graft choice in anterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Trial
Football equipment design affects face mask removal efficiency.
Researchers have investigated the performance of face mask removal tools for spine injury management in football but not the effects of football equipment design. ⋯ Professionals responsible for the care of football athletes must be knowledgeable in the types of equipment used and the best option available for effective airway access.
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An increased awareness of the degenerative changes that occur in the knee after meniscectomy has led to efforts to salvage the injured meniscus. Numerous devices have been developed in an effort to provide the dual benefits of a durable meniscal repair and minimal invasiveness. ⋯ This study provides the longest follow-up in the literature of any of the all-inside meniscal repair implants. The Meniscus Arrow demonstrated long-term meniscal healing rates inferior to those found in the literature for inside-out suture repair techniques.
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Chronic lower leg pain results from various conditions, most commonly, medial tibial stress syndrome, stress fracture, chronic exertional compartment syndrome, nerve entrapment, and popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. Symptoms associated with these conditions often overlap, making a definitive diagnosis difficult. As a result, an algorithmic approach was created to aid in the evaluation of patients with complaints of lower leg pain and to assist in defining a diagnosis by providing recommended diagnostic studies for each condition. ⋯ Confirmation of the diagnosis requires performing the appropriate diagnostic studies, including radiographs, bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic resonance angiography, compartmental pressure measurements, and arteriograms. Although most conditions causing lower leg pain are treated successfully with nonsurgical management, some syndromes, such as popliteal artery entrapment syndrome, may require surgical intervention. Regardless of the form of treatment, return to activity must be gradual and individualized for each patient to prevent future athletic injury.
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Recurrent symptoms or failure after fasciotomy for exertional anterior compartment syndrome is not uncommon. ⋯ Symptoms from high pressures can be secondary to involvement of the entire compartment or localized to a certain area from postsurgical fibrosis. Pressure measurements should be performed in at least 2 separate areas.