Hip and groin pain prevalence and prediction in Elite Gaelic Games: 2703 male athletes across two seasons.

OBJECTIVE: Hip and groin pain is highly prevalent in sub-elite Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) athletes, but its prevalence at the elite level is unknown. The aims of this study were to report hip and groin pain prevalence in elite male athletes, to report changes in Copenhagen Hip and Groin Outcome Score (HAGOS) across two seasons and to assess if previous hip and groin pain or pre-season HAGOS could predict future hip and groin pain. METHODS: During the 2017 and 2018 pre-season male Gaelic Players Association (GPA) playing members were invited to complete two questionnaires. The first questionnaire collected demographic information including age, GAA code played (Gaelic football or Hurling) and prevalence of hip and groin pain in the previous season. The second questionnaire was the HAGOS. Step-wise logistic regression models were fitted to HAGOS subscales, to examine if pre-season HAGOS subscale scores could predict future hip and groin pain. RESULTS: The prevalence of hip and groin pain across the elite GAA cohort was 38%. Hip and groin pain in the previous season was the strongest predictor of future hip and groin pain (r2 =0.19, AUC=0.73, 95% CI 1.76-2.27) whereas pre-season HAGOS subscale scores had limited and no additional predictive ability (AUC 0.05-0.18). CONCLUSIONS: Hip and groin pain prevalence is high in elite male GAA, with one in three athletes reporting pain. Previous season hip and groin pain is the strongest predictor of future hip and groin pain, while pre-season HAGOS scores have limited ability to predict future hip and groin pain.

Are Plastic Surgery Trainees Accurate Assessors of Their Own Microsurgical Skill?

Background: Microsurgery is a technically demanding surgical discipline with a steep learning curve. Trainees have faced several difficulties due to less hands-on theater time and pandemic-related limits on access to technical training. To overcome this, trainees engaged in self-directed training, which requires an accurate self-assessment of skill. This study aimed to assess the ability of trainees to accurately self-assess their performance while performing a simulated microvascular anastomosis. Methods: Novice and specialist plastic surgery trainees performed a simulated microvascular anastomosis on a high-fidelity chicken femoral vessel model. Each participant objectively rated the quality of their anastomosis using the Anastomosis Lapse Index (ALI). Two expert microsurgeons subsequently blindly rated each anastomosis. To determine the accuracy of self-evaluation, self-scores and expert-scores were compared using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Twenty-seven surgical trainees completed the simulation, with a mean time to completion (TTC) of 40.3 minutes (range 14.2-106.0 minutes). For the entire cohort, the median ALI self-score was 4 (range 3-10), while the median ALI expert-score was 5.5 (range 2.5-9.5). There was a significant difference between the ALI self-score and the expert-score (p<0.001). When grouped by experience level, there was no significant difference between self-score and expert-score within the specialist group, while there was a significant difference within the novice group (p=0.001). Conclusion: These findings suggest that specialist trainees are accurate assessors of their own microsurgical skills, but novice trainees tend to overestimate their technical skills. While novice trainees can engage in independent self-directed microsurgical training, they should seek expert feedback to ensure targeted training.

Microtools: A systematic review of validated assessment tools in microsurgery.

BACKGROUND: Microsurgery is a technically demanding aspect of surgery that is integral to a variety of sub-specialties. Microsurgery is required in high-risk cases where time is limited and pressure is high, so there is increasing demand for skills acquisition beforehand. The aim of this review was to analyse the available literature on validated microsurgical assessment tools. METHODS: Covidence was used to screen papers for inclusion. Keywords included 'microsurgery', 'simulation', 'end-product assessment' and 'competence'. Inclusion criteria specified simulation models which demonstrate training and assessment of skill acquisition simultaneously. Tools which were used for training independently of technical assessment were excluded and so were tools which did not include a microvascular anastomosis. Each assessment tool was evaluated for validity, bias, complexity and fidelity and reliability using PRISMA and SWiM guidelines. RESULTS: Thirteen distinct tools were validated for use in microsurgical assessment. These can be divided into overall assessment and end-product assessment. Ten tools assessed the 'journey' of the operation, and three tools were specifically end-product assessments. All tools achieved construct validity. Criterion validity was only assessed for the UWOMSA1 and GRS.2 Interrater reliability was demonstrated for each tool except the ISSLA3 and SAMS.4 Four of the tools addressed demonstrate predictive validity.4-7 CONCLUSION: Thirteen assessment tools achieve variable validity for use in microsurgery. Interrater reliability is demonstrated for 11 of the 13 tools. The GRS and UWOMSA achieve intrarater reliability. The End Product Intimal Assessment tool and the Imperial College of Surgical Assessment device were valid tools for objective assessment of microsurgical skill.

Exploring peoples' lived experience of complex regional pain syndrome in Australia: a qualitative study.

OBJECTIVES: Complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is a persistent pain condition which is often misunderstood and poorly managed. Qualitative studies are needed to explore the lived experience of the condition and to better understand patient perspectives on their management experiences and needs. The aim of this study was to explore the lived experience of CRPS in Australia, including exploration of their perceptions of care and advice received from healthcare professionals. METHODS: A qualitative study with individual in-depth semi-structured, face-to-face interviews was performed (n=15, 80% female, average time elapsed since diagnosis 3.8 years). Qualitative data were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis approach. RESULTS: Four main themes with associated subthemes were identified, representing the participants' journey: (1) Life Changing Impact of CRPS (Subthemes: Impact on self, Impact on others); (2) Variable Experiences of Care (Subthemes: Helpful experiences of care, Unhelpful experiences of care); (3) Making Sense of CRPS (Subthemes: Knowledge and understanding, Dealing with unpredictability); and (4) Perceptions on Lessons Learned from Living with CRPS (Subthemes: Acceptance was an important part of the journey, Trial and error was necessary to find an individual way forward, Coping strategies). CONCLUSIONS: The themes identified align to and expand on prior qualitative research findings in people with CRPS. It highlights the challenges people face related to their personal self, their close relationships and their social and work roles. It highlights the difficulties these people have in finding reliable, trust-worthy information. These findings suggest that healthcare professionals may benefit from education about how to better support people with CRPS, including helping people to navigate to the right care. Engaging people with CRPS in the development of educational resources should be a future research goal. It is recommended that patient perspectives are incorporated into the development of care pathways for CRPS.

Differences in Strength, Patient-Reported Outcomes, and Return-to-Play Rates Between Athletes With Primary Versus Revision ACL Reconstruction at 9 Months After Surgery.

BACKGROUND: Patient-reported outcomes and return-to-play (RTP) rates are inferior after revision anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) compared with primary ACLR. Physical properties such as maximal, explosive, and reactive strength influence reinjury and RTP rates after ACLR. No study has compared these outcomes between revision and primary ACLR. PURPOSE: To compare maximal, explosive, and reactive strength of the ACLR limb, as well as patient-reported outcomes and RTP rates between primary and revision ACLR at 9 months after surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: A comparative study was performed at 9 months after surgery for 344 male athletes who had undergone ACLR (298 primary, 46 revision). Maximal strength of the ACLR limb was measured by means of isokinetic dynamometry. Explosive strength was measured by use of single-leg countermovement jump height, and reactive strength was measured by single-leg drop jump. Patient-reported outcomes and responses to RTP questionnaires were recorded for both groups. RESULTS: The primary ACLR group had higher scores than the revision ACLR group for single-leg countermovement jump height (P = .02) and single-leg drop jump reactive strength index (P = .01) on the ACLR limb. No significant difference was observed between groups on maximal strength of the quadriceps or hamstring, and no significant difference in limb symmetry index was observed between groups on any strength or jump test. The primary ACLR group demonstrated higher scores on the Marx Activity Rating Scale (P = .03) and the Anterior Cruciate Ligament-Return to Sport after Injury scale (P < .001). Athletes in the primary ACLR group were more likely to have returned to sport (P < .001). CONCLUSION: At 9 months after surgery, athletes who had undergone revision ACLR achieved maximal strength similar to that of athletes who had undergone primary ACLR. However, athletes who had revision ACLR demonstrated lower scores on explosive and reactive strength tests. Athletes who underwent revision ACLR had lower RTP rates at 9 months after surgery, potentially due to explosive and reactive strength deficits and lower perceived readiness for RTP.