Physician Sportsmed
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Fractures of the proximal humerus occur frequently, and are primarily insufficiency fractures that occur in the elderly. Thorough clinical evaluation is essential in identifying associated neurovascular injury, which warrants emergent surgical referral. Good quality radiographs remain a necessary diagnostic tool in the evaluation of proximal humerus injuries. ⋯ Significantly displaced proximal humerus fractures are typically treated with surgical reduction and internal fixation. Complex fractures in the elderly and fracture dislocations are indications for humeral head prosthetic replacement. Proximal humerus fractures are strongly associated with decreased bone mineral density and future fracture risk, and should prompt a referral for medical management of osteoporosis.
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Physician Sportsmed · Feb 2011
ReviewExercise and osteoporosis-related fractures: perspectives and recommendations of the sports and exercise scientist.
Osteoporosis-related fractures represent a major health concern, particularly in elderly populations. Direct and indirect costs (amounting to nearly $17 billion in 2005), increased morbidity, and loss of independence place substantial burden on the health care system. Observational studies have shown that a physically active lifestyle is associated with a 30% to 50% decrease in vertebral or hip fractures, and a recent meta-analysis that determined the effects of exercise on fracture incidence further confirmed these results. ⋯ More sophisticated protocols are required to impact bone strength. Corresponding state-of-the-art protocols have focused on periodized high-impact/high-intensity resistance protocols performed at least twice per week. In the frail elderly, high-frequency/high-cycle number exercise programs with low-to-moderate strain intensity may also positively affect bone strength.
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Physician Sportsmed · Dec 2010
ReviewPulmonary rehabilitation: an underutilized resource in primary COPD care.
Pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) is an important component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) management. Physician use of PR for patients with COPD lags behind national and international guideline recommendations. In this article, we discuss the important components of PR, including exercise training, self-management education, and psychosocial and nutritional interventions, as based on the American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society and Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines. ⋯ In all stages of COPD, PR has been shown to result in improved exercise tolerance, with reduced dyspnea and fatigue, although the greatest improvement has been seen in patients with GOLD stages II to IV. Pulmonary rehabilitation is now a well-recognized therapy that should be available to all patients with symptomatic COPD. To facilitate inclusion of PR in COPD management, primary care physicians need to recognize and diagnose COPD, and regularly decide when PR best fits in an individual's COPD treatment program.
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The subtle clinical and radiographic findings of an unstable Lisfranc ligament injury can be easily misdiagnosed as a stable midfoot sprain. Appropriate treatment ranges from conservative management to surgery, depending on the extent of ligament disruption and subsequent joint instability. Initial evaluation with non-weight bearing radiographs is often normal in unstable injuries. ⋯ Stress radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging can help differentiate between stable and unstable ligament sprains. Referral to an orthopedic surgeon is appropriate for injuries that result in joint diastasis. Long-term outcomes are optimized by early anatomic reduction.
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Physician Sportsmed · Dec 2010
Tracking neurocognitive performance following concussion in high school athletes.
To extend previous research designs and examine cognitive performance up to 30 days postconcussion. ⋯ High school athletes could take up to 21 days to return to baseline levels for reaction time. These data support current recommendations for the conservative management of concussion in the high school athlete.