A randomized controlled trial to prevent noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injury in female collegiate soccer players.

Background: Neuromuscular and proprioceptive training programs can decrease noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries; however, they may be difficult to implement within an entire team or the community at large.

Hypothesis: A simple on-field alternative warm-up program can reduce noncontact ACL injuries.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial (clustered); Level of evidence, 1.

Sports injuries in women: sex- and gender-based differences in etiology and prevention.

There has been a significant increase in the participation of women in sports at all levels, especially after the enactment of the Title IX Education Amendment in 1972. This increased participation at all levels has resulted in more women sustaining sports injuries. Data on sex- and gender-based differences in all organ systems, including the musculoskeletal system, are beign gathered.

Emergency preparedness: things to consider before the game starts.

Emergency preparedness for athletic events is essential. A written emergency plan should include a list of the members of the medical team; the responsibilities of each person on the team; and the means of communication between those persons, including the emergency medical technicians covering athletic events, the staff at the hospital to which injured athletes will be transported, and the members of the athletic department. Prior to any competition, the medical person in charge should be certain all needed response equipment is available, assess the safety of the playing field and the players' protective equipment, and ensure that adequate fluids are available for consumption during the competition.

Understanding and preventing noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries: a review of the Hunt Valley II meeting, January 2005.

The incidence of noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries in young to middle-aged athletes remains high. Despite early diagnosis and appropriate operative and nonoperative treatments, posttraumatic degenerative arthritis may develop. In a meeting in Atlanta, Georgia (January 2005), sponsored by the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a group of physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers, biomechanists, epidemiologists, and other scientists interested in this area of research met to review current knowledge on risk factors associated with noncontact anterior cruciate ligament injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injury biomechanics, and existing anterior cruciate ligament prevention programs.

Effectiveness of a neuromuscular and proprioceptive training program in preventing anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female athletes: 2-year follow-up.

Background: Among female athletes it has not been established whether a neuromuscular and proprioceptive sports-specific training program will consistently reduce the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injuries.

Purpose: To determine whether a neuromuscular and proprioceptive performance program was effective in decreasing the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament injury within a select population of competitive female youth soccer players.

Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2.

Appearance of previously injured posterior cruciate ligaments on magnetic resonance imaging.

Background: The appearance of normal and injured cruciate ligaments on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been well described in the literature. Few studies have reported on changes found on sequential imaging of injured posterior cruciate ligaments (PCLs) during the healing process, however.

Methods: Ten consecutive patients with isolated injuries to the PCL were evaluated with an initial clinical examination, x-rays, and MRI of the injured knee.