British journal of sports medicine
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In this prospective study, we have investigated the incidence of injuries of different severity, types of injury, and mechanisms of injury during ice hockey practice and games. One Swedish élite hockey team was closely observed during four seasons (1986-1990). There were 376 injuries, of which 148 resulted in absence from practice or games. ⋯ Most injuries resulted from stick or player contact (predominantly checking). The results are in close agreement with those of a previous investigation of another Swedish élite hockey team covering the years 1982-1985. It should be possible to reduce the number of injuries by stricter enforcement of the hockey rules, especially against stick violations, and a more widespread use of visors.
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Scapula winging is an uncommon condition but one which may be underdiagnosed. Four patients with scapula winging referred to a sports injury clinic are presented. None of the patients was aware of any trauma and a traction injury to the long thoracic nerve is proposed as the aetiology of this condition. These case reports emphasize the importance of excluding winging of the scapula in patients who present to sports injury clinics with shoulder pain.
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Massage has been a therapeutic modality in all cultures since early civilization and has had a long tradition of use in the sporting context. However, there has been a paucity of scientific evidence of the physiological, psychological and therapeutic effects of commonly used massage techniques. ⋯ Little agreement was found in English publications of the efficacy of massage and there were contradictory findings as to the optimum technique and length of time of application. It is clear that the role of massage - a time-consuming technique for a physiotherapist to perform - needs to be evaluated further in order to resolve some contentious issues arising about this mode of treatment and to justify its use.
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The management of chronic pain in sportsmen and women requires consideration of a wide differential diagnosis. A syndrome caused by a distension of the posterior inguinal wall is described, effectively an early direct inguinal hernia. The diagnosis can be made from certain aspects of the history and examination, which are described. ⋯ The remaining 13% were improved by the repair. Many of the athletes had received other treatments without success. The sports hernia should be high on the list of differential diagnoses in chronic groin pain.