Acute Emergent Airway Issues in Sports.

Emergent airway issues are rare in competitive sports. However, when airway compromise occurs, the sideline physician will be relied upon to manage the situation and the airway. . The sideline physician is tasked with not only the evaluation of the airway, but also management until the athlete can get to a higher level of care. Familiarity with the assessment of the airway and the various techniques for the management of airway compromise on the sideline are of the utmost importance in the unlikely event that an airway emergency should occur.

Training and Practice Settings of Physicians Dual-Certified in Emergency and Sports Medicine.

ABSTRACT: Survey study of training and practice paradigms and job satisfaction of dual-boarded emergency medicine (EM) and sports medicine (SM) physicians. The REDCap survey was sent to 193 American Board of EM members who hold a Certificate of Added Qualification in SM. A total of 124 EM/SM physicians responded (67.5% male). More than 70% completed three-year residencies while only 28.5% had an EM/SM residency faculty. One-quarter delayed fellowship after residency 6.45 years on average. Regarding their first job after fellowship, 27.6% practiced only EM, 54.5% practiced both EM and SM, and 12.2% practiced only SM. Regarding their current job, 29.1% practice only EM. 47.3% practice both EM and SM, and 20.9% practice only SM. Only 13.9% and 9.9% indicated they are unhappy with their first job and current job, respectively. There is significant variability in practice settings for EM/SM physicians with the overwhelming majority being happy with their career choices.

Recommended Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Model Curriculum for Emergency Medicine Residency Training.

ABSTRACT: Musculoskeletal and sports medicine conditions are common in the emergency department (ED). Emergency physicians may not be receiving adequate education to achieve clinical competency in musculoskeletal medicine during residency training. This article aims to provide a standardized musculoskeletal and sports medicine curriculum for emergency medicine training. Broad curriculum goals include proficiency in evaluating and managing patients presenting to the ED with acute and chronic musculoskeletal complaints and other medical conditions related to or affected by physical exertion, sports participation, or environmental exposure. Specific objectives focus on knowledge of these disorders, physical examination skills, procedural skills including musculoskeletal ultrasound, appropriate consultation and referral, and patient education for these conditions. Educational methods will consist of didactics; online self-directed learning modules; simulation; and supervised clinical experiences in the ED, primary care sports medicine clinics, and orthopedic clinics if available. Curriculum implementation is expected to vary across programs due to differences in residency program structure and resources.

Current Concepts in Sports-related Concussion.

Increasing concern over the acute and long-term consequences of sports-related concussion has generated widespread interest and attention. This article provides an overview of concussion in athletes, including diagnostic and management considerations, and highlights the clinical challenges associated with repeated minor head trauma in sports. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-10.asp].

The Preparticipation Evaluation and Cardiovascular Screening in Young Athletes: Considering the Pros and Cons.

Sudden cardiac death in young athletes is an uncommon but devastating event. The preparticipation evaluation affords an important opportunity to screen for cardiovascular disease and other health conditions but has certain limitations in its existing form. This article provides an overview of current screening practices and outlines the argument for and against the addition of a 12-lead electrocardiogram to the preparticipation exam in an effort to prevent sudden cardiac arrest. [Full article available at http://rimed.org/rimedicaljournal-2016-06.asp, free with no login].

Closed lung trauma.

Pulmonary injuries from blunt thoracic trauma are seen regularly with high-energy mechanisms but described less frequently in association with sports. Pneumothorax, hemothorax, pneumomediastinum, and pulmonary contusion are uncommon with athletic participation and often follow a benign clinical course. Life-threatening complications may arise, and athletes with chest trauma deserve close attention. Appropriate diagnosis is suggested by history and physical examination; conventional chest radiography is preferred as the initial imaging study but has limitations. Use of CT for trauma has improved diagnostic sensitivity for occult injury, although this may not alter management or outcomes. Return to play is guided by resolution of symptoms and radiographic findings.