Clinical characteristics of patients with snow sports trauma transported to a trauma care center: A retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Snow sports are a popular recreational activity; however, the incidence of injury of snow sports can be high for skiers and snowboarders. Our hospital receives severe trauma cases from snow resorts and hospitals throughout the region. This study aimed to determine whether the risk of snow sports-related major trauma that requires emergency surgery under general anesthesia varies by the equipment and injury mechanism. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients with snow sports trauma referred to Gifu University Hospital, Japan between November 2010 and March 2020. We analyzed the need for emergency operation under general anesthesia within 24 h using Fisher's exact test. We identified 106 patients: (1) 90 in the snowboarders' group and 16 in the skiers' group or (2) 46 in the fall after jumping group (jumping group), 27 in the collide with other people and obstacle group (collision group), and 33 in the fall during gliding group (gliding group). RESULTS: Snowboarders were nearly twice as likely as skiers to require emergency surgery under general anesthesia (44% vs. 25%; p = 0.236]. No significant associations were found between emergency surgery under general anesthesia and injury mechanism, but half of the patients in the jumping group required emergency surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Snowboard as equipment and falls after jumping as a mechanism of injury tended to be associated with emergency surgery under general anesthesia, with no significant differences. In order to provide adequate resources for snow sports trauma, the cause of the patient's injury is strongly related to the urgency of the condition, and transport to a trauma center should be actively considered. Further studies are warranted with respect to the effects of personal protective equipment and skill level.

Winter sport musculoskeletal injuries: epidemiology and factors predicting hospital admission.

INTRODUCTION: Participation in winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling is associated with risk of musculoskeletal injury. The purpose of our study was to describe and quantify emergency department encounters associated with these sports. METHODS: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was queried for skiing-, snowboarding- and snowmobiling-related injuries from 2009 to 2018. Patient demographics and disposition data were collected from emergency department encounters. Descriptive statistics were utilized to describe the trends in injuries from each sport and factors associated with the sports-specific injuries. RESULTS: From 2009 to 2018, there were an estimated 156,353 injuries related to snowboarding, skiing, or snowmobiling. Estimated injury incidence per 100,000 people decreased over time for skiing (3.24-1.23), snowboarding (3.98-1.22,) and snowmobiling (0.71-0.22,). The most common injury location by sport was shoulder for skiing (29.6%), wrist for snowboarding (32.5%) and shoulder for snowmobiling (21.9%), with fractures being the most common diagnosis. Only 4.5% required admission to the hospital. Fracture or dislocation was associated with highest likelihood of hospital admission (OR 42.34; 95% CI 22.59-79.37). Snowmobiling injuries (OR 1.63; 95% CI 1.20-2.22) and white race (OR 1.42; 95% CI 1.17-1.72) were also both associated with increased risk of hospital admission. CONCLUSIONS: Upper extremity injuries, particularly those involving fractures, were more common than lower extremity injuries for all three sports, with the shoulder being the most common location of injury for skiing and snowmobiling. This study can serve as the foundation for future research in sports safety and health policy to continue the declining trend of musculoskeletal injuries in the future. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Pelvic ring injuries after alpine ski and snowboard accidents.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze the patient/injury characteristics and associated hospital course of patients sustaining traumatic pelvic ring injuries after alpine ski and snowboard accidents at a level one trauma center in the Rocky Mountain region. METHODS: Patient/injury characteristics were obtained from patients presenting with pelvic ring injuries after alpine ski (n = 55) and snowboard (n = 9) accidents. Characteristics and outcomes analyzed included mechanism of injury, pelvic ring classification (Young-Burgess and Tile), hospital admission, physical therapy (PT) clearance, ambulation, length of stay, inpatient morphine milligram equivalents (MME), and discharges to rehabilitation facility. RESULTS: Snowboarders were more often younger, male, tobacco/substance users, and more likely to be injured by a fall from height than skiers. There were no differences in injury classification or hospital course outcomes between alpine sports. Most common injuries included lateral compression type 1 (LC1) injuries (37.5%), isolated pubic ramus fractures (31.3%), and isolated iliac wing fractures (15.6%). LC1 injuries were unstable in 50% of cases and associated with increased admissions (proportional difference: 47.5%, CI: 23.8-64.5%, p = 0.0002), longer time to PT clearance (median difference(MD): 1.0 day, CI: 0-2.0, p = 0.03), longer LOS (MD: 2.0, CI: 0-2.0, p = 0.02), and increased inpatient MMEs (MD: 197.9 MME, CI: 30.0-420.0, p = 0.02), as compared to other pelvic ring injuries. CONCLUSION: The majority of pelvic ring injuries from alpine ski and snowboard accidents were LC1 injuries, half of which were unstable, resulting in longer hospital stays, time to PT clearance/ambulation, and opioid use.

Muscle injury and sports rehabilitation management in endurance training oriented to winter sports / Lesão muscular e gerenciamento da reabilitação esportiva no treinamento de resistência direcionado aos esportes de inverno / Gestión de las lesiones musculares y de la rehabilitación deportiva en el entrenamiento de resistencia dirigido a los deportes de invierno

ABSTRACT Introduction: Muscle injury in ski sports training has gradually increased, greatly impairing performance in ice and snow sports competitions. Objective: To study muscle injury and muscle movement during ice and snow sports training and the rehabilitation of muscle injuries. Methods: Thirty skiers with knee muscle injuries were selected as subjects and underwent rehabilitation training for six weeks, and the indicators were statistically evaluated. Results: The ski injuries were mainly muscle strain, muscle or ligament strain, and ligament rupture. The indices after treatment were significantly different from those before treatment (P < 0.05); compared with the three rehabilitation programs, the improvement of each index in group C was significantly different from that in the other two groups (P < 0.05), while there was no significant difference in the improvement of each index between the multi-angle isometric training treatment in group A and the proprioceptive neuromuscular stimulation technique in group B (P>0.05). Conclusion: The influence of recovery training technology on knee muscle re-education was proposed, and a rehabilitation plan for skiing was presented. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: O quadro de lesão muscular no treinamento esportivo de esqui tem aumentado gradualmente, prejudicando muito o desempenho das competições esportivas de gelo e neve. Objetivo: Estudar a lesão muscular e o movimento muscular durante o treinamento esportivo no gelo e na neve, bem como a reabilitação das lesões musculares. Métodos: Trinta esquiadores com lesão muscular no joelho foram selecionados como sujeitos e submetidos a treinamento de reabilitação por um total de 6 semanas, tendo os indicadores sido avaliados estatisticamente. Resultados: Os tipos de lesões no esqui foram principalmente tensão muscular, tensão muscular ou ligamentar e ruptura ligamentar. Os índices após o tratamento foram significativamente diferentes daqueles antes do tratamento (P < 0,05); comparado com os três programas de reabilitação, a melhora de cada índice no grupo C foi significativamente diferente da dos outros dois grupos (P < 0,05), enquanto não houve diferença significativa na melhora de cada índice entre o tratamento de treinamento isométrico multiangular no grupo A e a técnica de estimulação neuromuscular proprioceptiva no grupo B (P>0,05). Conclusão: A influência da tecnologia de treinamento de recuperação na reeducação muscular do joelho foi proposta, e foi apresentado um plano de reabilitação para a prática de esqui. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: El cuadro de lesiones musculares en el entrenamiento de los deportes de esquí ha ido aumentando progresivamente, lo que perjudica en gran medida el rendimiento en las competiciones de deportes de hielo y nieve. Objetivo: Estudiar las lesiones musculares y el movimiento muscular durante el entrenamiento de los deportes de hielo y nieve, así como la rehabilitación de las lesiones musculares. Métodos: Se seleccionaron como sujetos treinta esquiadores con lesiones musculares en la rodilla y se sometieron a un entrenamiento de rehabilitación durante un total de 6 semanas, y se evaluaron estadísticamente los indicadores. Resultados: Los tipos de lesiones de esquí fueron principalmente la distensión muscular, la distensión muscular o de ligamentos y la rotura de ligamentos. Los índices después del tratamiento fueron significativamente diferentes de los anteriores (P < 0,05); en comparación con los tres programas de rehabilitación, la mejora de cada índice en el grupo C fue significativamente diferente de la de los otros dos grupos (P < 0,05), mientras que no hubo diferencias significativas en la mejora de cada índice entre el tratamiento de entrenamiento isométrico multiángulo en el grupo A y la técnica de estimulación neuromuscular propioceptiva en el grupo B (P>0,05). Conclusión: Se propuso la influencia de la tecnología de entrenamiento de recuperación en la reeducación muscular de la rodilla y se presentó un plan de rehabilitación para el esquí. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

Prevention of knee joint injuries in winter sports training / Prevenção de lesões articulares do joelho no treino dos esportes de inverno / Prevención de las lesiones articulares de la rodilla en el entrenamiento de los deportes de invierno

ABSTRACT Introduction: With the 2022 Winter Olympic Games launch, ice and snow sports have come into the spotlight, receiving government incentives to encourage their practice. Objective: Examine the causes of knee injury in skiers, proposing preventive measures for joint injury. Methods: The current situation of joint injury in skiers' knees, joint movement in skiing, the cause of joint injury, and the prevention of joint injury were analyzed, and scientific prevention and corresponding treatment plan were developed according to the results of the analysis. Results: The injury rate among skiers is high. Ligament injury, tendon injury, and muscle strain are the three main types of injury. There are 57 mild injuries of various types to the knee joint - 53.27% of all injuries; 41 moderate injuries, representing 38.32% of all injuries; 9 serious injuries, representing 8.41% of all injuries, with minor injuries. Conclusion: This article examines knee motion and the causes of knee injury in skiers and proposes preventive measures for joint injury. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.

RESUMO Introdução: Com o lançamento dos Jogos Olímpicos de Inverno de 2022, os esportes de gelo e neve entraram em evidência, recebendo incentivos governamentais para encorajamento de sua prática. Objetivo: Examinar as causas da lesão no joelho em esquiadores, propondo medidas preventivas para a lesão articular. Métodos: Foram analisadas a situação atual de lesão articular nos joelhos dos esquiadores, o movimento articular no esqui, a causa das lesões articulares e a prevenção de lesões articulares, além de um plano de prevenção científica e tratamento correspondente, de acordo com os resultados da análise. Resultados: A taxa de lesões em esquiadores é alta. Lesão ligamentar, lesão tendinosa e tensão muscular são os três principais tipos de lesão. Há 57 lesões leves de vários tipos na articulação do joelho - 53,27% de todas as lesões; 41 lesões moderadas, representando 38,32% de todas as lesões; 9 lesões graves, representando 8,41% de todos os ferimentos, com ferimentos menores. Conclusão: Este artigo examina o movimento do joelho e as causas da lesão no joelho em esquiadores, e propõe medidas preventivas para lesão articular. Nível de evidência II; Estudos terapêuticos - investigação dos resultados do tratamento.

RESUMEN Introducción: Con la puesta en marcha de los Juegos Olímpicos de Invierno de 2022, los deportes de hielo y nieve han pasado a ser el centro de atención, recibiendo incentivos gubernamentales para fomentar su práctica. Objetivo: Examinar las causas de las lesiones de rodilla en los esquiadores, proponiendo medidas preventivas de las lesiones articulares. Métodos: Se analizó la situación actual de las lesiones articulares en las rodillas de los esquiadores, el movimiento articular en el esquí, la causa de las lesiones articulares y la prevención de las mismas, y se elaboró un plan científico de prevención y tratamiento correspondiente según los resultados del análisis. Resultados: El índice de lesiones en los esquiadores es alto. Las lesiones de ligamentos, las lesiones de tendones y las distensiones musculares son los tres tipos principales de lesiones. Hay 57 lesiones leves de diversos tipos en la articulación de la rodilla, el 53,27% de todas las lesiones; 41 lesiones moderadas, que representan el 38,32% de todas las lesiones; 9 lesiones graves, que representan el 8,41% de todas las lesiones, con lesiones leves. Conclusión: Este artículo examina el movimiento de la rodilla y las causas de las lesiones de rodilla en los esquiadores, y propone medidas preventivas para las lesiones articulares. Nivel de evidencia II; Estudios terapéuticos - investigación de los resultados del tratamiento.

[Winter sports injuries of the thoracic and lumbar spine : Etiology, classification and stage-specific therapy]. / Wintersportverletzungen der Wirbelsäule : Ätiologie, Klassifikation und stadiengerechte Therapie.

BACKGROUND: Overall, spinal injuries in winter sports are extremely rare. The incidence is given as approximately 0.01/1000 ski days. While falls and collisions at high speed are the main concerns for skiers, spinal injuries for snowboarders occur primarily on landing after a jump. The age of a typical spinally injured skier is 40, which is older than that of the average snowboarder at 23. CLASSIFICATION: Primarily, the thoracolumbar junction is injured and hereby mainly anterior compression fractures (type A1) and burst fractures (types A3 and A4) occur. Injuries caused by flexion or distraction mechanisms (Type B) or rotation injuries (Type C) are less common. Injuries to the cervical spine are rare overall, but they are also represented in the very few cases with neurological deficits. THERAPY: With appropriate X­ray diagnostics, including CT and, if necessary, MRI, the appropriate therapy can be initiated so that a return to sport is possible in most cases. Furthermore, there is ongoing scientific discussion as to when conservative therapy is superior and when surgery is superior.

[Knee injuries in winter sports]. / Wintersportverletzungen am Kniegelenk.

Winter sports represent a relevant entity for knee injuries due to their great popularity. In alpine skiing and snowboarding, knee joint injuries are the most common affected body regions, while in ice hockey they are in third place. Various accident mechanisms lead to different injury types and severities. In addition to medial collateral ligament injuries, anterior cruciate ligament injuries are of particular importance. In professional sports, severe combination injuries are more common. Therapy is exemplified using the anterior cruciate ligament rupture. The gold standard is replacement ligament surgery. The return-to-sport rate of 80% for skiing and snowboarding is comparable to summer sports such as football, basketball or baseball. For ice hockey, it is even better. Prevention is possible by targeted training programs, but also by optimizing the equipment and its adjustment.

Skiing and snowboarding related deep laceration injuries. A five-season cross-sectional analysis from a level-1 trauma centre in the Swiss Alps.

OBJECTIVES: Lacerations comprise 5.6-33.6% of skiing/snowboarding related injuries. This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of injury and the location of these lacerations and propose preventive measures. METHODS: After our state ethics committee approval, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records and surgical protocols of 46 patients (mean age (±SD) 34.6 (±15.3); 71.4% men) treated for severe skiing/snowboarding lacerations at our level-1 trauma centre between 2016 and 2021. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire on their skiing experience, equipment used and the circumstances of the accident. RESULTS: Lacerations around the hip, thigh, and knee accounted for 94%. The latter was the most common location (45%). Although 91.3% of patients wore appropriate clothing and full standard protection equipment, it did not offer any extra-resistance against skiing/snowboarding's edges. Skiers were more affected (91.3%) than snowboarders (8.7%). The most common mechanism of injury was inadvertent release of the bindings (52.2%), followed by insufficient ski level for the slope (21.7%) and collisions (17.4%). Long-term trends demonstrated an increasing incidence. CONCLUSION: Identification of body areas at risk and the mechanisms of injury were the most significant findings of this work. These data encourage the development of specific injury prevention programs as the occurrence of these lesions tended to increase over the last few years. To reduce their incidence, we propose skiers to have their bindings regularly adjusted and manufacturers to develop cut-resistant skiwear. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

Ski-geometric parameters do not differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational alpine skiing.

PURPOSE: It is not known so far if ski-equipment-related factors differ between the ACL injury mechanisms, potentially influencing the circumstances and causes of falling, finally resulting in ACL injury. More specifically focusing on the injury mechanisms will provide a deeper understanding of injury causation. The aim of the study was to evaluate whether ACL injury mechanisms in recreational alpine skiing differ with regard to ski-geometric parameters, self-reported circumstances and causes of accident and injury severity. METHODS: Among a cohort of 392 ACL-injured (57.9% females) skiers, age, sex, height, weight, skill level, risk-taking behavior, circumstances and causes of accident, and ACL injury severity were collected by questionnaire. Additionally, patients had to recall their type of fall (ACL injury mechanism) by classifying forward and backward falls with and without body rotation. Ski length, side cut radius and widths of the tip, waist and tail were directly notated from the ski. RESULTS: The forward fall with body rotation was the most common reported ACL injury mechanism (63%). A riskier behavior was associated with forward falls without body rotation. Ski-geometric parameters did not significantly influence the type of ACL injury mechanism. Regarding accident characteristics, catching an edge of the ski was more frequent (p < 0.001) the cause for forward falls (75% and 67%) when compared to the backward falls (46 and 15%) and executing a turn was the most frequent action in all falls (39-68%). A complete rupture of the ACL (66-70%) was more commonly reported than a partial tear (30-34%) among all four non-contact ACL injury mechanisms (n.s.). CONCLUSION: In contrast to risk-taking behavior and accident characteristics, ski-geometric parameters and injury severity do not significantly differ between ACL injury mechanisms in recreational skiing. Thus, an individual skiing style seems to have more impact on ACL injury mechanisms than ski equipment. Future studies should evaluate potential effects of ski geometry on the incidence of ACL injury. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Incidence of anterior tibial spine fracture among skiers does not differ with age.

PURPOSE: Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is common in alpine skiing in the form of either an intra-substance ACL tear or anterior tibial spine fracture (ATSF). Anterior tibial spine fractures are typically reported in children. However, several case reports describe these injuries in adults while skiing. The purpose of this study is to describe the sport specific incidence of ATSF in alpine skiing. METHODS: The study was conducted over a 22-year period. Skiers who suffered an ATSF were identified and radiographs were reviewed to confirm the diagnosis. Additionally, control data from intra-substance ACL injury groups were collected. The incidence of these injuries in children, adolescents, and adults (grouped as ages 0-10, 11-16, and 17 + years old, respectively) was evaluated and the risk factors for ATSF versus ACL tear were determined. RESULTS: There were 1688 intra-substance ACL and 51 ATSF injuries. The incidence of intra-substance ACL injury was greater in adults (40.0 per 100,000 skier days) compared to the adolescent (15.4 per 100,000) and child (1.1 per 100,000) age groups. In contrast, the incidence of ATSF was similar in the adult (0.9 per 100,000), adolescent (1.9 per 100,000), and child (1.9 per 100,000) age groups. Loose ski boot fit was identified as a risk factor for ATSF. CONCLUSION: The incidence of ATSF in alpine skiers is similar among all age groups. However, the incidence of intra-substance ACL injuries is far greater in adult skiers compared to adolescents and children. Risk factors for ATSF relate to compliance between the foot/ankle and the ski boot. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Rotatory subluxation of the proximal interphalangeal joint: an easily missed diagnosis.

We present a case of volar rotatory subluxation of index finger proximal interphalangeal joint (PIPJ) following a skiing accident. The injury was initially perceived to be a central slip rupture and treatment was directed as such. After the initial delay in the diagnosis, the patient underwent surgery during which his radial collateral ligament was found to be avulsed from the proximal origin, the radial lateral band palmarly subluxed and was interposed in the joint space. This structure was also adhered to the uninjured volar plate.PIPJ volar rotatory subluxation could be readily missed in the acute setting. Without surgery, the functional outcome could be mediocre and to the patient's detriment.

Can Exercise Targeting Mid-Thoracic Spine Segmental Movement Reduce Back Pain and Improve Sensory Perception in Cross-Country Skiers?

OBJECTIVE: To assess the role of exercise targeting proper trunk stabilization and segmental spinal movement in back pain and sensory perception among cross-country skiers. DESIGN: Randomized, controlled trial with blinded outcome assessors. SETTING: University Hospital, Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty elite cross-country skiers aged 17 to 27 years. INTERVENTIONS: Ten cross-country skiers integrated 3 types of exercise targeting segmental motion in mid-thoracic spine into their routine training practice for 2 months. The 10 controls performed routine athletic training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The Young Spine Questionnaire to measure intensity and frequency of back pain was completed at the start and end of study. Tactile sensory perception using 10-g Semmes-Weinstein monofilament, thermic perception using TIP THERM device, graphesthesia assessed by a touch monitor pencil, 2-point discrimination assessed by a digital caliper, and vibration perception assessed by a 128-Hz tuning fork measured in mid-thoracic spine 5 times. RESULTS: No significant group differences in pain and sensory perception were identified at baseline. Over the 2-month study interval, repeated-measures analysis of variance revealed that the experimental group improved significantly relative to the control group on pain intensity (P = 0.005 for cervical, P = 0.004 for thoracic, and P = 0.014 for lumbar) and frequency of pain in the thoracic area only (P = 0.011). Improvements were also observed in the experimental relative to control group on graphesthesia (P < 0.001), vibration perception (P = 0.002), and 2-point discrimination (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise targeting the mid-thoracic spine may decrease back pain and improve sensory perception in cross-country skiers. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Original research, level I.

In recreational alpine skiing, the ACL is predominantly injured in all knee injuries needing hospitalisation.

PURPOSE: The knee joint still represents the most frequent anatomical injury location accounting for about one-third of all injuries in recreational alpine skiers. However, comprehensive information on current knee injury patterns in this populations is sparse. METHODS: During the winter seasons 2016/17 and 2019/20, this retrospective questionnaire-based study was conducted in an Austrian sportclinic situated in a large ski area. Among a cohort of 282 recreational skiers (51.8% females), all injuries were diagnosed by the use of magnetic resonance imaging. Additionally, data were recorded on anthropometric characteristics, the perceived speed at the moment of injury, type of fall, physical fitness, self-reported skill level and risk-taking behaviour. RESULTS: The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was injured in all knee injuries recorded. Of the total study sample, 64.5% (n = 182) were ACL injuries with concomitant injuries and about 35.5% (n = 100) were isolated ACL injuries, not involving any other structures of the knee joint. In general, most common concomitant injury diagnoses among ACL-injured recreational alpine skiers were injuries of the medial collateral ligament (MCL) (n = 92, 50.5%), medial meniscus (MM) (n = 73, 40.1%) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL) (n = 41, 22.5%). No significant differences regarding additionally recorded characteristics were found between ACL-injured individuals with concomitant injuries and those with isolated ACL injury. CONCLUSIONS: Whereas, before the introduction of carving skis, the MCL was reported being the most common injured part of the knee, currently, the majority of knee injuries are ACL injuries accompanied by injury of other knee joint structures, i.e. the MCL, MM and LCL. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III.

Contralateral ACL tears strongly contribute to high rates of secondary ACL injuries in professional ski racers.

PURPOSE: To analyse the effects of graft selection, sex, injury complexity and time to return to competition on the odds to suffer secondary ACL injury (either re-rupture or contralateral ACL tear) in professional alpine skiers. METHODS: The database of a specialised joint surgery clinic was screened for professional alpine skiers who had participated in competitions at the FIS race, European Cup and World Cup level prior to having to undergo a primary ACL reconstruction, and who had returned to the same competitional level at least one year prior to the end of the observation period. The rates of secondary ACL injuries were statistically compared between athletes with hamstring and quadriceps tendon autografts, men and women, simple and complex (involvement of menisci or cartilage) primary ACL injuries, and between early (≤ 300 days after primary reconstruction) and late (> 300 days) returners to competition. RESULTS: Fourteen out of the 30 athletes included (46.7%) suffered secondary ACL injuries on average 29.4 ± 22.5 months after primary reconstruction. The secondary injuries comprised five re-ruptures (16.7%) and nine contralateral ACL tears (30.0%). The odds to suffer contralateral ACL tears were non-significantly higher in patients with hamstring tendon autografts (OR 5.69, n.s.) and in those whose primary injuries were classified as simple ACL tears (OR 5.31, n.s.). None of the factors assessed was associated with the odds of graft failure. CONCLUSION: The odds of ACL-injured professional alpine ski racers to suffer secondary ACL tears are nearly 50%, with subsequent contralateral ACL injuries being more common than graft failures. While statistical significance could not be established due to a lack of power, greater odds of contralateral ACL tears were observed in athletes with hamstring tendon grafts as well as those with simple primary ACL injuries. No factors potentially predisposing athletes for graft failure could be identified. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III.

Injury risks among elite competitive alpine skiers are underestimated if not registered prospectively, over the entire season and regardless of whether requiring medical attention.

PURPOSE: Prospective studies assessing the injuries occurring in elite competitive alpine skiers are lacking, and a full picture of all injuries, including those not requiring medical attention, is absent. Likewise, little is known about the sex-specific injury risks and patterns of elite skiers throughout an entire season (i.e. an off-season preparation period and a competition period). Accordingly, this study investigated the injuries of a national team cohort with respect to season period and sex. METHODS: Over an entire season, all injuries occurring in 44 Swiss National Ski Team members (25 females and 19 males) were registered, regardless of whether they required medical attention. Skiers were prospectively monitored by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) questionnaire and by continuously updated team medical records. Finally, these data were used as a reference for supplemental interviews, in which the correctness and completeness of the prospective data were verified. RESULTS: The risk of suffering at least one injury during an entire season was 75.0% with a 95% confidence interval (73.1%, 76.9%) for traumatic injuries, and 52.3% (50.0%, 54.5%) for overuse injuries. Traumatic injuries concerned the head, lower leg and knee, while overuse injuries affected the lumbar spine, knee and hip. During the competition period, skiers were more prone to traumatic injuries, while during the off-season preparation period, skiers' risk was higher for overuse injuries. Over an entire season, there were no sex differences. However, females were more vulnerable to traumatic injuries during the preparation period and overuse injuries during the competition period, while males had a higher risk for overuse injuries during the preparation period. CONCLUSIONS: When prospectively registering injuries among elite competitive alpine skiers over an entire season, regardless of whether the injuries required medical attention, the injury risks were alarmingly high and substantially larger than those previously reported. Moreover, since injury risks and patterns are season period and sex dependent, it is strongly recommended that (1) injury registration focuses on both the off-season preparation period and the competition period and (2) prevention efforts are specifically tailored to the sex of the athletes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II.

Hip pain and its correlation with cam morphology in young skiers-a minimum of 5 years follow-up.

BACKGROUND: There is conflicting evidence regarding the association between cam morphological changes and hip pain, and it remains unclear who with cam morphology will develop hip pain and who will not. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between cam morphology, hip pain, and activity level at a 5-year follow-up in young Alpine and Mogul skiers. METHOD: All students (n = 76) at Åre Ski National Sports High School were invited and accepted participation in this prospective study at baseline. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of both hips was conducted to evaluate the presence of cam morphology (α-angle ≥ 55°) and its size alongside the reporting of hip pain, type, and frequency of training by the Back and hip questionnaire, at baseline. After 5 years, the skiers were invited to complete a shortened version of the same questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 60 skiers (80%) completed the follow-up questionnaire, of which 53 had concomitant MRI data. Cam morphology was present in 25 skiers (47.2%, 39 hips). Hip pain at baseline and at follow-up was reported in 17 (28.3%) and 22 (36.7%) skiers, respectively. No correlations were found between the activity level, the frequency, and the size of cam morphology and hip pain, except for the right hip α-angle at 1 o'clock and hip pain in skiers with cam morphology at baseline (rs = 0.49; P = 0.03) and at follow-up (rs = 0.47; P = 0.04). A total of 73.3% skiers had retired, of which 48% reported this was due to injuries. CONCLUSION: Hip pain was not shown to be correlated, or had a low correlation, with activity level and the presence and size of cam morphology in young skiers on a 5-year follow-up. Based on these results, cam morphology or activity level did not affect hip pain to develop during 5 years of follow-up in young skiers. Furthermore, this study highlights that almost 75% of young elite skiers had retired from their elite career with almost 50% reporting that this was due to injuries sustained from skiing.

Features of Chronic Exertional Compartmental Syndrome of the Leg in Elite Nordic Skiers.

This study aimed to assess prevalence and incidence of chronic exertional compartmental syndrome as well as functional outcomes after surgery in elite Nordic skiers. An exhaustive list of 294 elite Nordic skiers from the French national teams between 1994 and 2014 was analyzed through their individual medical files in order to identify cases of chronic exertional compartmental syndrome. Eighteen athletes had confirmed diagnosis and performed a structured interview to identify factors associated with chronic exertional compartmental syndrome and surgery outcomes. The prevalence was 6.1% and the incidence 13 per 1000 skier-years. Biathletes had a higher prevalence than cross-country skiers (OR=0.40, p=0.08). Free-technique skiing and roller-skiing were the main conditions inducing symptoms. All injured athletes had bilateral surgery and 94% of them reported no more or sporadic leg pain after. Almost 90% resumed competition at the same or higher level than prior surgery. Compare to previous studies, the incidence rate of chronic exertional compartmental syndrome is higher in French elite Nordic skiers. The higher prevalence in biathletes and the trigger during free-technique skiing suggest a contribution of this technique to this disease. This study also confirmed that surgery was an efficient therapeutic solution without compromising athletes' career.

Similar risk of ACL graft revision for alpine skiers, football and handball players: the graft revision rate is influenced by age and graft choice.

OBJECTIVES: The risk of graft revision following ACL reconstruction may depend on the sport type the individuals are engaged in. The purpose of this study was to report the ACL graft revision rate in alpine skiers, football and handball players. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Primary ACL reconstructions and graft revision data from 2004 to December 2016 were obtained from the Norwegian Cruciate Ligament Registry. The graft survival rates were calculated for individuals in each of the three sport types, for bone patellar tendon bone (BPTB) and hamstring tendons (HT) grafts separately, and related to age at primary operation and sex. RESULTS: A total of 711 grafts in 14 201 primary ACL reconstructions were revised (5.0%) after median 6 years, 3.8% in alpine skiers, 5.0% in soccer and 6.1% in handball players (p<0.001). Adjusted Cox regression showed similar ACL graft survival rates in the three groups. The HR for graft revision was 5 times higher for individuals aged ≤18 years than for those aged ≥35 years (p<0.001). The corresponding HR for graft type was 1.8 times higher for HT than for BPTB grafts (p<0.001), but 2.8 times higher for individuals aged ≤18 years (p<0.001). The 12 years survival of BPTB grafts was 96% compared with 93% for HT grafts (p <0.001). CONCLUSION: The revision rate for ACL grafts was similar among alpine skiers, football and handball players, and the results support the use of BPTB grafts in young athletes with closed growth zones in the knee. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; level of evidence, 2.

Core curriculum illustration: pulmonary laceration.

This is the 44th installment of a series that will highlight one case per publication issue from the bank of cases available online as part of the American Society of Emergency Radiology (ASER) educational resources. Our goal is to generate more interest in and use of our online materials. To view more cases online, please visit the ASER Core Curriculum and Recommendations for Study online at: http://www.erad.org/page/CCIP_TOC.

Findings and Management of the Rare Caput Flexum Deformity of the Hip: A Case Report.

CASE: A 10-year-old girl presented after possible occult hip trauma, with shortening of the leg being the initial clinical symptom, followed by motion-dependent pain. She had limited external rotation in extension with anterior apprehension. Radiographically, the deformity was an anterior tilt of the epiphysis with coxa vara. Surgery included surgical dislocation using a retinacular flap for the anterior open wedge femoral neck osteotomy for extension and posterior translation, with an excellent 4.5-year clinical outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Caput flexum is a rare deformity with localized premature closure of the anterior growth plate of the hip. To avoid secondary impingement, an osteotomy was successfully placed close to the deformity.