Sports health
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As public health experts work to contain the outbreak of Zika virus in South America and minimize the devastating prenatal complications, the international sports community prepares for the 2016 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Athletes have publicly expressed concern regarding the health risks of competition in Zika-endemic areas.(33) Ensuring the safety of the athletes during training and competition is the primary role of the team physician. Special consideration is needed for sports teams preparing for travel to areas affected by Zika virus.
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Musculoskeletal ultrasound (US) research is expanding due to increased clinical utility of sonography. ⋯ C.
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Limited z-axis-coverage computed tomography (CT) to evaluate for pediatric lumbar spondylolysis, altering the technique such that the dose to the patient is comparable or lower than radiographs, is currently used at our institution. The objective of the study was to determine whether volumetric 3-dimensional fast spin echo magnetic resonance imaging (3D MRI) can provide equal or greater diagnostic accuracy compared with limited CT in the diagnosis of pediatric lumbar spondylolysis without ionizing radiation. ⋯ Decreased-dose CT of the lumbar spine remains the optimal examination to confirm a high suspicion of spondylolysis, with dose essentially equivalent to radiographs. If clinical symptoms are not classic for spondylolysis, 2D MRI is still very good at detecting spondylolysis while remaining sensitive for detection of alternative diagnoses such as disc abnormalities and pars stress reaction. The data suggest that standard 2D MRI sequences should not be entirely replaced by a volumetric T2-weighted 3D sequence (despite promising features of rapid acquisition time, increased spatial resolution, and reconstruction capability).
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A preexisting rotator cuff tear may affect the draft status and career performance of National Football League (NFL) players. ⋯ Athletes with a preexisting rotator cuff tear were less likely to be drafted and had decreased career longevity.
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Hypothermia and frostbite injuries occur in cold weather activities and sporting events. ⋯ Cold injuries can be prevented, and cold weather activities are safe with proper education, preparation, and response to changing weather conditions or injury.