The American journal of sports medicine
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Comparative Study
Effects of radiofrequency energy on human articular cartilage: an analysis of 5 systems.
Previous radiofrequency work has not rigidly controlled energy application to the articular cartilage, giving uncertain results published to date. ⋯ These results showed significant cellular death at these minimal conditions to the underlying chondrocytes with radiofrequency probes. Surgeons using this technology need to be aware of the power and dangerous potential these probes can have on articular cartilage.
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Water skiing and wakeboarding are popular sports with high potential for injury due to rapid boat acceleration, lack of protective gear, and waterway obstacles. However, trends in water skiing- and wakeboarding-related injuries in the United States have not been described using national data. ⋯ The analyses of water skiing- and wakeboarding-related injuries treated in US emergency departments in 2001 to 2003 highlight the differences in injury patterns for these 2 sports. The substantial number of head and facial injuries among wakeboarders underscores the need for research on the potential role of helmets or other protective gear to reduce these common injuries.
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Symptomatic, traumatic posterior shoulder instability is often the result of a posteriorly directed blow to an adducted, internally rotated, and forward-flexed upper extremity. Operative repair has been shown to provide favorable results. Current arthroscopic techniques with suture anchors and the ability to plicate the capsule using a nonabsorbable suture may provide favorable outcomes with reduced morbidity. ⋯ In the case of traumatic posterior shoulder subluxation, posterior lesions of the labrum ("reverse Bankart"), articular edge, and capsule are observed. Surgical treatment addressing these lesions led to satisfactory results for both the open and arthroscopic treated groups. In this study, an arthroscopic technique utilizing suture anchor repair with capsular placation provided the most favorable outcomes.
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Fifth metatarsal Jones fractures are common in the athletic population. Optimal screw selection for operative treatment has not been determined. ⋯ The 4.5-mm cannulated screws can yield reliable and effective healing as evidenced by clinical assessment and radiographs of fifth metatarsal Jones fractures in athletes.