A prospective randomized study comparing a forearm strap brace versus a wrist splint for the treatment of lateral epicondylitis.

Background: The outcome is unknown for 2 common bracing treatments utilized for patients with lateral epicondylitis. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of a wrist splint with that of a counterforce forearm strap for the management of acute lateral epicondylitis.

Materials And Methods: Forty-two patients (44 elbows) received either a wrist extension splint (Group I-24 elbows) or a counterforce forearm strap (Group II-20 elbows).

Biomechanical comparison of a modified Weaver-Dunn and a free-tissue graft reconstruction of the acromioclavicular joint complex.

Background: Most surgical reconstructions of the separated acromioclavicular joint do not address the injured ligaments and capsule of the acromioclavicular joint.

Purpose: This study was undertaken to compare the biomechanical characteristics of a modified Weaver-Dunn reconstruction and an intramedullary acromioclavicular joint reconstruction that uses a free-tissue graft for reconstruction of both the coracoclavicular and acromioclavicular ligaments.

Study Design: Controlled laboratory study.

Relative contribution of acromioclavicular joint capsule and coracoclavicular ligaments to acromioclavicular stability.

Hypothesis: We hypothesized that both the AC joint capsule and CC ligaments are biomechanically robust structures in the anterior-posterior (AP) and superior-inferior (SI) planes with low loads, and that these ligaments provide essential function in AC joint stability.

Materials And Methods: Anterior-posterior (AP) and superior-inferior (SI) AC joint translations were quantified in 6 cadaver matched pairs with AC joint compressions of 10N, 20N and 30N, and with translational loads of 10N and 15N. Either the AC joint capsule or CC ligaments were transected, and measurements were then repeated.

Neurovascular injuries to the athlete's shoulder: part II.

Athletes are at particular risk of compromise of the neurovascular structures of the shoulder-specifically, neurovascular conditions distal to the brachial plexus. These conditions include thoracic outlet syndrome, axillary artery occlusion, effort thrombosis, suprascapular nerve entrapment, quadrilateral space syndrome, and complex regional pain syndrome. When diagnosed properly and in a timely fashion, function of the limb can be preserved.

Neurovascular injuries to the athlete's shoulder: Part I.

The neurovascular structures traversing the shoulder region can be compromised in a number of ways. Athletes are particularly at risk of neurovascular injury to the shoulder as the result of extreme force and stress on the shoulder girdle. Many such injuries have been described in the literature as cervical radiculitis, spinal accessory nerve injury, long thoracic nerve palsy, burner (stinger) syndrome, and brachial neuritis.