The American journal of sports medicine
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Small-diameter hamstring tendons are frequently encountered during anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions in patients with short stature or those who are skeletally immature. The role of augmenting these small-diameter autografts with allograft is unclear. ⋯ Adolescents undergoing an ACL reconstruction frequently have small hamstring tendon autograft size. The augmentation of these small grafts with allograft does not reduce graft failure rates and may in fact lead to higher retear rates, with earlier graft failure.
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Few prospective studies have investigated the biomechanical risk factors of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. ⋯ Stiff landings, with less knee flexion and greater vGRF, in a VDJ test were associated with increased risk of ACL injury among young female basketball and floorball players. However, although 2 factors (decreased peak knee flexion and increased vGRF) had significant associations with ACL injury risk, the ROC curve analyses revealed that these variables cannot be used for screening of athletes.
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The reported failure rate after posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction remains high. Previous studies have shown that the tibial slope (TS) influences sagittal plane laxity. Consequently, alterations of TS might have an effect on postoperative knee stability after PCL reconstruction. ⋯ Flattening of TS is associated with a significantly higher remaining PTT as well as a lower reduction of PTT. Notably, these results are irrespective of sex and number of ligaments addressed. Thus, isolated soft tissue procedures in PCL deficiency may only incompletely address posterior knee instability in patients with flattening of the posterior slope.
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Variations in ankle injury rates and distributions among competition levels are unclear, but such data may help inform strategies to prevent ankle sprains during American football. ⋯ Ankle sprain rates were highest in college athletes. However, level-specific variations in ankle sprain severity and recurrence may highlight the need to develop level-specific policies and prevention strategies to reduce injury incidence.
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Vestibular and ocular motor impairments are routinely reported in patients with sports-related concussion (SRC) and may result in delayed return to play (RTP). The Vestibular/Ocular Motor Screening (VOMS) assessment has been shown to be consistent and sensitive in identifying concussion when used as part of a comprehensive examination. To what extent these impairments or symptoms are associated with length of recovery is unknown. ⋯ These data suggest that symptom provocation/clinical abnormality associated with all domains except NPC and ACCOM can delay recovery after SRC in youth and adolescents. Thus, the VOMS not only may augment current diagnostic tools but also may serve as a predictor of recovery time in patients with SRC. The findings of this study may lead to more effective prognosis of concussion in youth and adolescents.