Sports Med
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There is increasing concern that too much physical activity may lead to osteoarthritis. The continuous stress that physical activity places on the joints can result in microtrauma and degeneration of the articular cartilage. However, the onset of osteoarthritis appears to depend on the frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity. ⋯ If surgery to the knee is required, continuous passive motion is an ideal form of rehabilitative treatment, as it promotes healing of the articular cartilage, ligaments and tendons. Moreover, athletes who have undergone surgery should return slowly to sporting activities to ensure they do not place too much stress on their injured joint(s). Further research into the causes of osteoarthritis is required; in particular, prospective and retrospective cohort studies are needed to confirm the association between exposure to risk factors and the development of osteoarthritis.
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Groin pain in athletes is a common problem that can result in significant amounts of missed playing time. Many of the problems are related to the musculoskeletal system, but care must be taken not to overlook other more serious and potentially life threatening medical cases of pelvis and groin pain. Stress fractures of the bones of the pelvis occur, particularly after a sudden increase in the intensity of training. ⋯ Patience is the key to obtain complete healing, because a return to sports too early can lead to chronic pain, which becomes increasingly difficult to treat. Management of groin injuries can be challenging, and diagnosis can be difficult because of the degree of overlap of symptoms between the different problems. By careful history and clinical examination, with judicious use of special tests and good team work, a correct diagnosis can be obtained.