Chronic ankle pain and fibrosis successfully treated with a new noninvasive augmented soft tissue mobilization technique (ASTM): a case report.

This clinical case report demonstrates the clinical effectiveness of a new form of soft tissue mobilization in the treatment of excessive connective tissue fibrosis (scar tissue) around an athlete's injured ankle. The scar tissue was causing the athlete to have pain with activity, pain on palpation of the ankle, decreased range of motion, and loss of function. Surgery and several months of conventional physical therapy failed to alleviate the athlete's symptoms. As a final resort, augmented soft tissue mobilization (ASTM) was administered. ASTM is an alternative nonsurgical treatment modality that is being researched at Performance Dynamics (Muncip, IN). ASTM is a process that uses ergonomically designed instruments that assist therapists in the rapid localization and effective treatment of areas exhibiting excessive soft tissue fibrosis. This is followed by a stretching and strengthening program. Upon the completion of 6 wk of ASTM therapy, the athlete had no pain and had regained full range of motion and function. This case report is an example of how a noninvasive augmented form of soft tissue mobilization (ASTM) demonstrated impressive clinical results in treating a condition caused by connective tissue fibrosis.

Comparison of the effects of selected dressings on the healing of standardized abrasions.

OBJECTIVE: To find out which type of dressing (semipermeable film, hydrocolloid, conventional method, or no dressing) allowed abrasions to heal in the least amount of time and had the greatest decrease in wound area. DESIGN AND SETTING: A 4 x 9 factorial was used for this study. There were two independent variables with four levels and two dependent variables. Research was performed at the Athletic Training Research Laboratory at Indiana State University. SUBJECTS: Fourteen subjects (eight males, six females), ages 23 to 34 years, participated in this study. MEASUREMENTS: From daily photographs, the day the wounds were healed was determined. The photographs were also used to measure wound area on the first and last days of the study. Subjects received four treatments (dressings and control), and placement of the dressings was determined by random assignment. RESULTS: Data were analyzed using a repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance to determine if differences existed among treatment groups for healing time and change in area. Student-Newman-Keuls post hoc testing was performed to determine specifically where the differences occurred. Our results indicate that healing time is affected by covering the wound, and area is decreased by using DuoDerm or Bioclusive. CONCLUSIONS: Bioclusive should be used in the athletic training setting. Bioclusive and DuoDerm are equally effective, but Bioclusive is less expensive. Bioclusive is more expensive than Coverlet, but it is also more effective in reducing the area of the wound.

Atypical pneumonia in active patients: clues, causes, and return to play.

Atypical pneumonias can affect young, otherwise healthy individuals who have close contact with one another, such as athletes in team sports. Symptoms, which often progress gradually, may mimic an upper respiratory tract infection. Mycoplasma, chlamydia, and legionella organisms, along with certain viruses, are the usual atypical pneumonia agents, and antimicrobial therapies are recommended. Because complications, though rare, can be protracted, affect athletic performance, and result in sudden death, return-to-play guidelines should be cautious and patient- and sport-specific.