FastFact

Surgery or rehabilitation for ruptured Achilles tendons? Which is best ?

Surgery or rehabilitation for ruptured Achilles tendons? Which is best ?

This meta-analysis found non-surgical management of an acute Achilles tendon rupture had the same risk of tendon re-rupture if an early functional range of motion protocol was also followed. The two groups had equivalent proportions of patients returning to the same level of sporting activity, while the surgical group had higher rates of other complications1. [...]
Impact of geographical origin upon the electrical and structural manifestations of the black athlete’s heart

Impact of geographical origin upon the electrical and structural manifestations of the black athlete’s heart

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It is known that black athletes have an increased prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) on echocardiography and are more likely to have repolarization anomalies when compared with white athletes. It is not known whether this increased rate is universal, or whether substantial differences exist according to a player’s geographic origin. The aim of this [...]
Muscle fatigue can impair a players response to dynamic disturbances in balance, placing them at risk of injury

Muscle fatigue can impair a players response to dynamic disturbances in balance, placing them at risk of injury

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The majority of football injuries occur in the last 15 minutes of each half, strongly implicating fatigue as a causative factor in football related injuries. The potential mechanisms for this increased risk of injury have not been well established. This study investigated the effects of football-simulated fatigue on neuromuscular function and dynamic balance response1. Fifteen [...]
Coach turnover increases the risk of muscle injury

Coach turnover increases the risk of muscle injury

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The coach is a key figure when it comes to implementing injury prevention practices and managing player workload. This study from the CJSM illustrates how coach turnover can negatively influence injury risk among professional players1. Muscle injuries are common in professional footballers, and account for a significant amount of lost playing time and therefore financial [...]
Returning to football following an ACL reconstruction may be good for a player’s long-term knee health

Returning to football following an ACL reconstruction may be good for a player’s long-term knee health

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It is well known that injuring the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is associated with increased rates of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (OA). It is often felt that the act of returning to sport may make this more likely. This recent article from the BJSM suggests that returning to ‘pivoting sport’ may actually be desirable1. This study involved [...]
Can I have some pain relief doc? Is the use of pain medication sensible in football medicine?

Can I have some pain relief doc? Is the use of pain medication sensible in football medicine?

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There is limited data relating to the efficacy and safety of pain relief in elite athletes. There is however widespread use of analgesics in this group, highlighting a need to exercise caution when prescribing these medications. This literature review looked to identify the usage frequency and effect of pain medications by elite athletes, with the [...]
Outcomes from hip arthroscopy may not be as good as previously reported (or as good as players expect)

Outcomes from hip arthroscopy may not be as good as previously reported (or as good as players expect)

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It is important to set realistic expectations for players who are considering a hip arthroscopy. One year after surgery for femoroacetabular impingement (FAI) and/or a labral injury a player’s ability to participate in sport and physical activity may be improved, but they are unlikely to have returned to ‘normal’. This FastFact reviews two papers from [...]