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Objectives To investigate the effectiveness of a futsal-specific warm-up to reduce injuries in amateur teams. Design Quasi-experimental. Setting Two futsal centres followed over one season using a specific report card. Participants 878 teams (Intervention group, n = 458; Control group, n = 420) of both genders and three age groups (U13, U17, adults). Intervention A futsal-specific warm-up consisting of cardiovascular exercises, dynamic stretches, and game-related skills. Main outcome measures The incidence rate and severity of all injuries, lower extremity (LE) injuries and contact injuries. A multivariate Poisson regression analysis was used to compare between-group rates. Results The rate of all injuries was lower in the intervention group (rate ratio (RR) = 0.72, 95% CI = 0.59 to 1.06), yet not significant. There was a significantly lower rate of contact injuries in the intervention group (RR = 0.68, 95% CI = 0.51 to 0.98). Subgroup analysis, based on the warm-up adherence of intervention teams (low, intermediate, high), showed a lower rate of all injuries (RR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.29 to 0.97), and LE injuries (RR = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.14 to 0.81) in the high compared to low adherence group. Conclusion A futsal-specific warm-up can reduce the rate of contact injuries in amateur players. With high adherence the rate of all injuries and LE injuries may also reduce.

BackgroundTrigger finger (TF), a painful condition involving a finger flexor tendon, is a common problem with a prevalence of ~2-3% in the general population. However, the TF prevalence is higher among diabetic patients-ranges from 6.7% to 10%. We have analyzed the expression of the extracellular matrix, inflammation, and epigenetic related genes in diabetic and non-diabetes TF. We hypothesized that Diabetes condition induces alter the expression of epigenetic modification genes in diabetic patients and one of the underlying determinants for more prevalence of TF in diabetic patients.MethodTissues from the fingers of patients with symptomatic trigger fingers were collected. We had three groups: carpal tunnel syndrome (as a control), trigger finger, and diabetic trigger finger. A quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed. The gene expression of Extracellular matrix (ECM) components [COL-I, COL-II, COL-X, Aggrecan], DNA methyltransferases enzymes (DNMT1, DNMT3), growth factors (TGF-b, IGF), and Histone deacetylase enzymes (HDAC1, HDAC2) were evaluated in all groups.ResultsThe mRNA expression of COL-I, COL-II, Aggrecan was significantly higher in the pully A1 of diabetic patients (p= 0.0164, p=0.0351, p=0.0399, respectively) as compared to non-diabetic TF patients. Diabetes was associated with a significant increase in the DNMT3 expression compared to non-diabetic TF patients (p=0.0485). HDAC1 and HDAC2 gene expression were up-regulated in diabetic TF than non-diabetic TF.ConclusionThe chronic state of hyperglycemia induces epigenetic modification of gene expressions in trigger fingers. This seems to have a significant impact on the development, recurrence, and progression of trigger finger in diabetic patients.

To identify which aspects of initial clinical assessment for sport-related mild traumatic brain injury (SR-mTBI) predict whether an athlete achieves symptom resolution within 14 days of the injury. Retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data. Clinical assessment data were collected from 568 patients diagnosed with SR-mTBI at a single medical clinic between February 2017 and December 2018. Demographic data, medical history, SCAT-5 testing, and physician notes were included in the data set. Data were processed and analysed to identify a shortlist of predictor variables to develop a logistic regression model to discriminate between SR-mTBI symptom resolution that occurred in ≤ 14-days or > 14-days. The data were randomly divided into model development and validation subsamples. The top 15 models were analysed to determine the predictor variables to be included in the final logistic regression model. The final model was then applied to the validation subsample. Half of the athlete participants in this study experienced > 14-day symptom resolution. The final logistic regression model included sex, symptom reporting at initial assessment and presentation with a physiological predominant symptom cluster. The model accounted for 0.90 and 0.85 of the area under the curve and predicted recovery trajectory with 81% and 76% accuracy for the training and validation subsamples, respectively. Being female, reporting a higher Positive Symptom Total at initial assessment, and being less likely to have a physiological predominant symptom cluster at initial assessment predicted > 14 versus ≤ 14-day SR-mTBI symptom resolution with a high level of accuracy.

Currently health care pathways (the combination and order of services that a patient receives to manage their injury) following a mild traumatic brain injury vary considerably. Some clinicians lack confidence in injury recognition, management and knowing when to refer. A clinical expert group developed the Brain Injury Screening Tool (BIST) to provide guidance on health care pathways based on clinical indicators of poor recovery. The tool aims to facilitate access to specialist services (if required) to improve longer term prognosis. The tool was developed using a three-step process including: 1) domain mapping; 2) item development and 3) item testing and review. An online retrospective survey of 114 adults (>16 years) who had experienced a mild brain injury in the past 10 years was used to determine the initial psychometric properties of the 15-item symptom scale of the BIST. Participants were randomised to complete the BIST and one of two existing symptom scales; the Rivermead Post-concussion Symptom Questionnaire (RPQ) or the Sports Concussion Assessment Test (SCAT-5) symptom scale to determine concurrent validity. Participant responses to the BIST symptom scale items were used to determine scale reliability using Cronbach’s alpha. A principal components analysis explored the underlying factor structure. Spearman’s correlation coefficients determined concurrent validity with the RPQ and SCAT-5 symptom scales. The 15 items were found to require a reading age of 6–8 years old using readability statistics. High concurrent validity was shown against the RPQ (r = 0.91) and SCAT-5 (r = 0.90). The BIST total symptom scale (α = 0.94) and the three factors identified demonstrated excellent internal consistency: physical/emotional (α = 0.90), cognitive (α = 0.92) and vestibular-ocular (α = 0.80). This study provides evidence to support the utility, internal consistency, factor structure and concurrent validity of the BIST. Further research is warranted to determine the utility of the BIST scoring criteria and responsiveness to change in patients.

BACKGROUND Anterior cruciate ligament injuries cause significant morbidity, and may be increasing in incidence as participation in high-risk sports increases. The aim of this study is to investigate the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) surgery in New Zealand, and to analyse changes over time in demographic subgroups. METHOD Data were sourced from the Accident Compensation Corporation. Data relating to primary ACLRs performed from 2009 to 2016 were evaluated (n = 20 751). Baseline population estimates were obtained from national census data to calculate the incidence, and results were compared to previous data from 2000 to 2005 (n = 7375). RESULTS The annual incidence of ACLR for 2009-2016 was 58.2 per 100 000 person-years and was greater in males than in females (72.2 and 44.9, respectively). This represents a 58% increase when compared with the period 2000-2005 (36.9 per 100 000). The greatest increase was seen in females aged 15-19 years, with the incidence increasing by 120% in the last decade, compared with 53% in females aged 20-24 years. The percentage of injuries caused by sports changed from 65% over 2000-2005 to 76% over 2009-2016, with netball, rugby and football accounting for the highest number of injuries. CONCLUSION The incidence of ACLR procedures has increased markedly in New Zealand, and this increase was most pronounced in females aged 15-19 years. A greater proportion of procedures are now due to sport-related injuries.

This report describes a 21-year-old man, a semiprofessional football (soccer) player, with a navicular stress fracture. It highlights the difficulty in diagnosing the condition and the complications arising from inadequate management. The case discusses the optimal management of these stress fractures and the detrimental role of weight-bearing recovery. The diagnosis of navicular stress fractures is challenging, and a high index of suspicion is required. The available literature indicates that limited weightbearing is not an appropriate treatment for navicular stress injuries. Non-weight-bearing (NWB) cast immobilisation for 6–8 weeks appears to be the gold standard treatment; however, open reduction with internal fixation (ORIF) has similar success rates and an equal return-to-play time but should also be followed by a period of NWB. NWB cast immobilisation for 6 weeks remains a good second option at any time following failed limited weight-bearing activity.

This report presents a case of brachial neuritis following a subacromial corticosteroid injection. The patient developed an anterior interosseous neuropathy shortly after the injection, with no other trigger being identified. This neuropathy has unfortunately not shown any sign of recovery at 2 years. The authors propose that corticosteroid injection be added to the list of possible triggering events of brachial neuritis and highlight the frequent use of oral corticosteroids in its treatment. (1) The injection of local anaesthetic and corticosteroid should be considered as a potential trigger for brachial neuritis. (2) Brachial neuritis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for patients presenting with severe arm pain and weakness. (3) The nerves originating from the upper trunk of the brachial plexus are most commonly affected. (4) The anterior interosseous nerve is involved in one-third of cases.