Role of Mechanical Loading for Platelet-Rich Plasma-Treated Achilles Tendinopathy.

There is no consensus on the optimal rehabilitation protocol after platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment for tendinopathy despite basic science studies showing the critical role of mechanical loading in the restoration of tendon structure and function posttreatment. In this article, we will review tendon mechanobiology, platelet biology, and review levels I and II Achilles tendon clinical studies paying particular attention to the role of mechanical loading in rehabilitation of injured tendons. Animal studies emphasize the synergistic effect of mechanical tendon loading and PRP to treat tendon injury while clinical studies described minimal details on loading protocols.

Use of Adipose-Derived Orthobiologics for Musculoskeletal Injuries: A Narrative Review.

Musculoskeletal injuries are among the most prevalent, disabling, and costly conditions that Americans face, affecting over half of those over 18 and nearly 75% of those over 65 years old. Current treatments are largely palliative for many of these conditions and unmet needs have warranted the emergence of alternative treatments. Orthobiologics, such as adipose tissue derivatives (ATDs), are of high interest because they can be obtained in the office setting and their cellular components, including adipose stem cells and stromal cells, are thought to be beneficial in the treatment of musculoskeletal injuries. Microfragmented adipose tissue (MFAT) and stromal vascular fraction (SVF) are two ATD injectates that are used in the clinical setting to treat musculoskeletal conditions. Our review aimed to clarify the terminology describing the various ATDs used for orthopedic indications while discussing the promising but low-quality evidence, heterogeneity in MFAT and SVF processing methods, and inconsistencies in reported information such as injectate characterization with cell counts, injection technique, and postprocedural rehabilitation.

Epidemiology of overuse injuries among high-school athletes in the United States.

OBJECTIVE: To examine high school overuse injury rates and patterns by sex and sport. STUDY DESIGN: High school athletes participating in the High School Reporting Information Online study were examined in a descriptive epidemiologic study. Overuse injury data for the 2006/2007-2011/2012 academic years collected via High School Reporting Information Online from a large national sample of US high schools where certified athletic trainers completed detailed injury reports were evaluated. RESULTS: From 2006/2007 to 2011/2012, a total of 2834 overuse injuries were reported during 18 889 141 athletic exposures (1.50 per 10 000 athletic exposures). Girls had greater rates of overuse injury (1.88) than boys (1.26) (rate ratio 1.50, 95% CI 1.39-1.61). The greatest rates were in girls' track and field (3.82) and girls' field hockey (2.93). Overuse injuries represented 7.7% of all injuries, ranging from a low of 1.4% of all boys' ice hockey injuries to a high of 55.7% of all boys' swimming and diving injuries. Overall, overuse injuries were evenly distributed across athletes in each year of high school (freshman, 25.6%; sophomore, 25.3%; junior, 24.9%; senior, 24.3%). However, there were distinct differences by sex. The most frequent site of injury was the lower leg (21.8%). Injuries most frequently resulted in time loss of less than 1 week (50.0%), with only 7.6% resulting in time loss greater than 3 weeks. CONCLUSIONS: Overuse injury patterns differed by sex and sport. A better understanding of overuse injury patterns and criteria for return to play may help direct preventative measures and injury management.