Validity and Responsiveness of a Modified Balance Error Scoring System Assessment Using a Mobile Device Application in Patients Recovering from Ankle Sprain.

Background: Static balance is often impaired in patients after ankle sprains. The ability to identify static balance impairments is dependent on an effective balance assessment tool. The Sway Balance Mobile Application (SWAY App) (Sway Medical, Tulsa, OK) uses a smart phone or tablet to assess postural sway during a modified Balance Error Scoring System (mBESS) assessment and shows promise as an accessible method to quantify changes in static balance after injury. Purpose: The primary purposes of this study were to determine the ability to differentiate between those with ankle sprain versus controls (construct validity) and ability to detect change over time (responsiveness) of a mBESS assessment using a mobile device application to evaluate static balance after an acute ankle sprain. Study Design: Case-control study. Methods: Twenty-two military academy Cadets with an acute ankle sprain and 20 healthy Cadets were enrolled in the study. All participants completed an assessment measuring self-reported function, ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (via the weightbearing lunge), dynamic balance, and static balance. Static balance measured with the mBESS using the SWAY App was validated against laboratory-based measures. Cadets with ankle sprains completed their assessment twice: once within two weeks of injury (baseline) and again after four weeks of rehabilitation that included balance training. Independent and paired t-tests were utilized to analyze differences over time and between groups. Effect sizes were calculated and relationships explored using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Results: The mBESS scores measured by the SWAY App were lower in participants with acute ankle sprains than healthy Cadets (t = 3.15, p = 0.004). Injured participants improved their mBESS score measured by SWAY at four weeks following their initial assessments (t = 3.31, p = 0.004; Baseline: 74.2 +/- 16.1, 4-weeks: 82.7 +/- 9.5). The mBESS measured by the SWAY App demonstrated moderate to good correlation with a laboratory measure of static balance (r = -0.59, p \< 0.001). Conclusion: The mBESS assessed with a mobile device application is a valid and responsive clinical tool for evaluating static balance. The tool demonstrated construct (known groups) validity detecting balance differences between a healthy and injured group, concurrent validity demonstrating moderate to good correlation with established laboratory measures, and responsiveness to changes in static balance in military Cadets during recovery from an acute ankle sprain. Level of Evidence: Level 3.

Modeling Risk for Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury in U.S. Military Academy Cadet Basic Training.

INTRODUCTION: Sport and tactical populations are often impacted by musculoskeletal injury. Many publications have highlighted that risk is correlated with multiple variables. There do not appear to be existing studies that have evaluated a predetermined combination of risk factors that provide a pragmatic model for application in tactical and/or sports settings. PURPOSE: To develop and test the predictive capability of multivariable risk models of lower extremity musculoskeletal injury during cadet basic training at the U.S.Military Academy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Cadets from the class of 2022 served as the study population. Sex and injury history were collected by questionnaire. Body Mass Index (BMI) and aerobic fitness were calculated during testing in the first week of training. Movement screening was performed using the Landing Error Scoring System during week 1 and cadence was collected using an accelerometer worn throughout initial training. Kaplan-Meier survival curves estimated group differences in time to the first musculoskeletal injury during training. Cox regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) was used to compare model fit. RESULTS: Cox modeling using HRs indicated that the following variables were associated with injury risk : Sex, history of injury, Landing Error Scoring System Score Category, and Physical Fitness Test (PT) Run Score. When controlling for sex and history of injury, amodel including aerobic fitness and BMI outperformed the model including movement screening risk and cadence (AIC: 1068.56 vs. 1074.11) and a model containing all variables that were significant in the univariable analysis was the most precise (AIC: 1063.68). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to variables typically collected in this tactical setting (Injury History, BMI, and aerobic fitness), the inclusion of kinematic testing appears to enhance the precision of the risk identification model and will likely continue to be included in screening cadets at greater risk.

The effectiveness of telehealth gait retraining in addition to standard physical therapy treatment for overuse knee injuries in soldiers: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: Running is the most common cardiovascular exercise in the military. However, there is a high incidence of running-related overuse injuries that reduces military readiness. Gait retraining is a common intervention to treat running-related injuries, but the high cost of equipment and lack of clinician expertise and availability reduces utilization. Gait retraining intervention in a telehealth format might improve feasibility. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial is to determine the effectiveness of a telehealth gait retraining intervention on pain, self-reported function, and biomechanical risk factors for injury in service members who present to a Military Health System physical therapy clinic with an overuse knee injury. METHODS: This is a parallel, two-arm, single-blind randomized clinical trial. The two independent variables are intervention (2 levels: telehealth gait retraining intervention with standard of care or only standard of care) and time (3 levels: baseline, 10 weeks or post-intervention, 14 weeks). Participants between the ages of 18 to 60 years will be included if they report knee pain during and/or after running to be anywhere from a 3 to a 7 on the numerical pain rating scale and demonstrate a rearfoot strike pattern. The primary dependent variables are as follows: (1) pain (worst pain during and/or after running) and (2) foot strike pattern (conversion rate from rearfoot to non-rearfoot foot strike pattern during running). Secondary outcomes include patient self-reported function and running biomechanics. DISCUSSION: The effectiveness of a telehealth gait retraining intervention to reduce pain and modify foot strike pattern is not known. The results of this study may help determine the effectiveness and feasibility of a telehealth gait retraining intervention to reduce pain, change foot strike, improve function, and improve running gait biomechanics. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04269473 . Registered 05 February 2020.

Wearable technology assessing running biomechanics and prospective running-related injuries in Active Duty Soldiers.

The purpose of this study was to determine if running biomechanical variables measured by wearable technology were prospectively associated with running injuries in Active Duty Soldiers. A total of 171 Soldiers wore a shoe pod that collected data on running foot strike pattern, step rate, step length and contact time for 6 weeks. Running-related injuries were determined by medical record review 12 months post-study enrollment. Differences in running biomechanics between injured and non-injured runners were compared using independent t-tests or ANCOVA for continuous variables and chi-square analyses for the association of categorical variables. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate the time to a running-related injury. Risk factors were carried forward to estimate hazard ratios using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Forty-one participants (24%) sustained a running-related injury. Injured participants had a lower step rate than non-injured participants, but step rate did not have a significant effect on time to injury. Participants with the longest contact time were at a 2.25 times greater risk for a running-related injury; they were also relatively slower, heavier, and older. Concomitant with known demographic risk factors for injury, contact time may be an additional indicator of a running-related injury risk in Active Duty Soldiers.

Influence of Graft Type on Lower Extremity Functional Test Performance and Failure Rate After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: Both autografts and allografts are used to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after injury; however, it is unclear whether graft source affects lower extremity functional test performance or failure rate in an active military population. OBJECTIVE: To compare lower extremity functional test performance and graft failure rates between ACL grafts [allograft, hamstring, bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB)]. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 2. METHODS: Ninety-eight cadets entering a US Service Academy with a history of unilateral ACL reconstruction (ACLR) agreed to participate. Before basic training, participants completed 4 lower extremity functional tests. Active injury surveillance was conducted within the study cohort to identify all subsequent graft failures. RESULTS: Cadets with hamstring autografts outperformed the BTB and allograft groups on the Lower Quarter Y-Balance Test-Posteromedial direction and single-leg hop test, respectively. No differences were detected by graft type for the other functional tests. The incidence of subsequent ipsilateral graft failures in patients with autograft was 8.11%. No failures were observed in the allograft group during the follow-up period. After controlling for sex, joint hypermobility, and time since injury and surgery, the risk of graft failure was 9.8 times higher for patients with a hamstring autograft than with a BTB (P = 0.045). CONCLUSION: After ACLR, graft type appears to influence some single-limb measures of lower extremity function and the risk of subsequent failure. Hamstring autografts demonstrated better functional performance but increased risk of graft failure. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons need to weigh the pros and cons of all graft options in relation to the patient's lifestyle. Regardless of graft type, individuals with an ACLR may require additional rehabilitation to regain neuromuscular control during dynamic single-limb tasks and mitigate graft failure.

Pre-neuromusculoskeletal injury Risk factor Evaluation and Post-neuromusculoskeletal injury Assessment for Return-to-duty/activity Enhancement (PREPARE) in military service members: a prospective, observational study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Non-battle related musculoskeletal injuries (MSKI) are one of the primary medical issues diminishing Service member medical readiness. The MSKI problem is challenging because it is difficult to assess all of the factors that increase MSKI risk and influence post-MSKI outcomes. Currently, there are no high-throughput, clinically-feasible, and comprehensive assessments to generate patient-centric data for informing pre- and post-MSKI risk assessment and mitigation strategies. The objective of the "Pre-neuromusculoskeletal injury Risk factor Evaluation and Post-neuromusculoskeletal injury Assessment for Return-to-duty/activity Enhancement (PREPARE)" study is to develop a comprehensive suite of clinical assessments to identify the patient-specific factors contributing to MSKI risks and undesired post-MSKI outcomes. METHODS: This is a phased approach, multi-center prospective, observational study (ClinicalTrials.gov number: NCT05111925) to identify physical and psychosocial factors contributing to greater MSKI risk and undesired post-MSKI outcomes, and to identify and validate a minimal set of assessments to personalize risk mitigation and rehabilitation strategies. In Phase I, one cohort (n = 560) will identify the physical and psychosocial factors contributing to greater MSKI risks (single assessment), while a second cohort (n = 780) will identify the post-MSKI physical and psychosocial factors contributing to undesired post-MSKI outcomes (serial assessments at enrollment, 4 weeks post-enrollment, 12 weeks post-enrollment). All participants will complete comprehensive movement assessments captured via a semi-automated markerless motion capture system and instrumented walkway, joint range of motion assessments, psychosocial measures, and self-reported physical fitness performance and MSKI history. We will follow participants for 6 months. We will identify the minimum set of clinical assessments that provide requisite data to personalize MSKI risk mitigation and rehabilitation strategies, and in Phase II validate our optimized assessments in new cohorts. DISCUSSION: The results of this investigation will provide clinically relevant data to efficiently inform MSKI risk mitigation and rehabilitation programs, thereby helping to advance medical care and retain Service members on active duty status. TRIAL REGISTRATION: PREPARE was prospectively registered on ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05111925) on 5 NOV 2021, prior to study commencement.

Normative Data for the NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test in United States Military Academy Boxers.

Background: Balance function is a key indicator in the identification of and recovery from concussion. The NeuroCom Sensory Organization Test (SOT) is used to objectively quantify balance using input from the visual, vestibular, and somatosensory systems. Baseline tests are necessary for comparison post-concussion. Purpose: The primary purpose of this study was to establish baseline SOT measures for the population that will be useful in the concussion assessment, diagnosis, and return to duty decisions following a concussion. Secondary aims were to compare females and males as well as concussed versus non-concussed. To the knowledge of the authors these are the only published normative data for a highly-active military population ages 17-23. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Two hundred fifty-three (70 female and 183 male) cadets in a boxing course at a service academy were enrolled. The participants were evaluated on the SOT using the NeuroCom Balance Manager (Natus Medical Inc., Seattle, WA) and each condition, composite (COMP) score, and ratio score were recorded. Results: No significant differences were observed in SOT COMP scores between females (COMP = 76.67 ± 7.25) and males (COMP = 76.57 ± 7.77), nor between participants with history of concussion (COMP = 75.83 ± 7.90) versus those never concussed (COMP = 76.75 ± 7.57). Conclusion: This study provides SOT reference values for young, healthy, active individuals, which will assist in the interpretation of individual scores for concussion diagnosis and recovery, as well as serve as baseline data for future studies. These data on 17-23-year-olds will add to the currently available normative values of 14-15-year-olds and 20-59-year-olds. Level of Evidence: 4.

The Effect of Blood Flow Restriction Training on Muscle Atrophy Following Meniscal Repair or Chondral Restoration Surgery in Active Duty Military: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

CONTEXT: Recently, blood flow restriction (BFR) training has gained popularity as an alternative to high-load resistance training for improving muscle strength and hypertrophy. Previous BFR studies have reported positive treatment effects; however, clinical benefits to using BFR following meniscal repair or chondral surgery are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of resistance exercises with BFR training versus exercises alone on self-reported knee function, thigh circumference, and knee flexor/extensor strength postmeniscal or cartilage surgery. DESIGN: Single-blinded randomized controlled trial in an outpatient military hospital setting. Twenty participants were randomized into 2 groups: BFR group (n = 11) and control group (n = 9). METHODS: Participants completed 12 weeks of postoperative thigh strengthening. The BFR group performed each exercise with the addition of BFR. Both groups continued with the prescribed exercises without BFR from 12 weeks until discharged from therapy. Thigh circumference and self-reported knee function were measured at 1, 6, 12, and 24 weeks postoperatively along with knee extensor and flexor strength at 12 and 24 weeks. Change scores between time points were calculated for knee function. Limb symmetry indices (LSI) were computed for thigh circumference and knee strength variables. RESULTS: Seventeen participants were included in the final analyses (BFR = 8 and control = 9) due to COVID-19 restrictions. There were no interactions or main effects for group. Time main effects were established for change in knee function scores, thigh circumference LSI, and knee extensor strength LSI. However, knee flexor strength LSI had no main effect for time. CONCLUSION: The outcomes of this trial suggest that resistance exercises with and without BFR training may result in similar changes to function, thigh atrophy, and knee extensor strength postmeniscus repair/chondral restoration, though further study with larger sample sizes is needed.

Lower Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury in US Military Academy Cadet Basic Training: A Survival Analysis Evaluating Sex, History of Injury, and Body Mass Index.

BACKGROUND: Injury incidence for physically active populations with a high volume of physical load can exceed 79%. There is little existing research focused on timing of injury and how that timing differs based on certain risk factors. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose of this study was to report both the incidence and timing of lower extremity injuries during cadet basic training. We hypothesized that women, those with a history of injury, and those in underweight and obese body mass index (BMI) categories would sustain lower extremity musculoskeletal injury earlier in the training period than men, those without injury history, and those in the normal-weight BMI category. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Cadets from the class of 2022, arriving in 2018, served as the study population. Baseline information on sex and injury history was collected via questionnaire, and BMI was calculated from height and weight taken during week 1 at the United States Military Academy. Categories were underweight (BMI <20), middleweight (20-29.99), and obese (≥30). Injury surveillance was performed over the first 60 days of training via electronic medical record review and monitoring. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were used to estimate group differences in time to the first musculoskeletal injury. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs). RESULTS: A total of 595 cadets participated. The cohort was 76.8% male, with 29.9% reporting previous injury history and 93.3% having a BMI between 20 and 30. Overall, 16.3% of cadets (12.3% of male cadets and 29.7% of female cadets) experienced an injury during the follow-up period. Women experienced significantly greater incident injury than did men (P < .001). Separation of survival curves comparing the sexes and injury history occurred at weeks 3 and 4, respectively. Hazards for first musculoskeletal injury were significantly greater for women versus men (HR, 2.63; 95% CI, 1.76-3.94) and for those who reported a history of injury versus no injury history (HR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.18-2.64). No differences were observed between BMI categories. CONCLUSION: Female cadets and those reporting previous musculoskeletal injury demonstrated a greater hazard of musculoskeletal injury during cadet basic training. This study did not observe an association between BMI and injury.

Wearable Technology May Assist in Retraining Foot Strike Patterns in Previously Injured Military Service Members: A Prospective Case Series.

A rearfoot strike (RFS) pattern with increased average vertical loading rates (AVLR) while running has been associated with injury. This study evaluated the ability of an instrumented sock, which provides real-time foot strike and cadence audio biofeedback, to transition previously injured military service members from a RFS to a non-rearfoot strike (NRFS) running pattern. Nineteen RFS runners (10 males, 9 females) were instructed to wear the instrumented socks to facilitate a change in foot strike while completing an independent walk-to-run progression and lower extremity exercise program. Kinetic data were collected during treadmill running while foot strike was determined using video analysis at initial (T1), post-intervention (T2), and follow-up (T3) data collections. Nearly all runners (18/19) transitioned to a NRFS pattern following intervention (8 ± 2.4 weeks after the initial visit). Most participants (16/18) maintained the transition at follow-up (5 ± 0.8 weeks after the post-intervention visit). AVLR of the involved and uninvolved limb decreased 29% from initial [54.7 ± 13.2 bodyweights per sec (BW/s) and 55.1 ± 12.7 BW/s] to post-intervention (38.7 ± 10.1 BW/s and 38.9 ± 10.0 BW/s), respectively. This effect persisted 5-weeks later at follow-up, representing an overall 30% reduction on the involved limb and 24% reduction on the uninvolved limb. Cadence increased from the initial to the post-intervention time-point (p = 0.045); however, this effect did not persist at follow-up (p = 0.08). With technology provided feedback from instrumented socks, approximately 90% of participants transitioned to a NRFS pattern, decreased AVLR, reduced stance time and maintained these running adaptations 5-weeks later.

Gait Retraining Improves Running Impact Loading and Function in Previously Injured U.S. Military Cadets: A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Running-related musculoskeletal injury (RRI) among U.S. military service members continues to negatively impact force readiness. There is a paucity of evidence supporting the use of RRI interventions, such as gait retraining, in military populations. Gait retraining has demonstrated effectiveness in altering running biomechanics and reducing running load. The purpose of this pilot study was to investigate the clinical effect of a gait retraining intervention on a military cadet population recovering from a lower-extremity RRI. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study design is a pilot study. Before study initiation, institutional approval was granted by the Keller Army Community Hospital Office of Human Research Protections. Nine rearfoot strike (RFS) runners recovering from a lower-extremity RRI at the U.S. Military Academy were prospectively enrolled and completed a gait retraining intervention. Participants followed-up with their assigned medical provider 6 times over 10 weeks for a clinical evaluation and running gait retraining. Gait retraining was provided utilizing verbal, visual, and audio feedback to facilitate a change in running foot strike pattern from RFS to non-rearfoot strike (NRFS) and increase preferred running step rate. At pre-intervention and post-intervention running ground reaction forces (GRF) [average vertical loading rate (AVLR), peak vertical GRF], kinematic (foot strike pattern) and temporospatial (step rate, contact time) data were collected. Participants self-reported their level of function via the Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation, Patient-Specific Functional Scale, and total weekly running minutes. Paired samples t-tests and Wilcoxon signed rank tests were used to compare pre- and post-intervention measures of interest. Values of P < .05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Nine patients completed the 10-week intervention (age, 20.3 ± 2.2 years; height, 170.7 ± 13.8 cm; mass, 71.7 ± 14.9 kg; duration of injury symptoms, 192.4 ± 345.5 days; running speed, 2.8 ± 0.38 m/s). All nine runners (100%) transitioned from RFS to NRFS. Left AVLR significantly decreased from 60.3 ± 17.0 bodyweight per second (BW/s) before intervention to 25.9 ± 9.1 BW/s after intervention (P = 0.008; effect size (d) = 2.5). Right AVLR significantly decreased from 60.5 ± 15.7 BW/s to 32.3 ± 12.5 BW/s (P < .001; d = 2.0). Similarly, step rate increased from 169.9 ± 10.0 steps per minute (steps/min) before intervention to 180.5 ± 6.5 steps/min following intervention (P = .005; d = 1.3). Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation scores improved significantly from 75 ± 23 to 100 ± 8 (P = .008; d = 1.5) and Patient-Specific Functional Scale values significantly improved from 6 ± 2.3 to 9.5 ± 1.6 (P = .007; d = 1.8) after intervention. Peak vertical GRF (left, P = .127, d = 0.42; right, P = .052, d = 0.53), contact time (left, P = 0.127, d = 0.42; right, P = 0.052, d = 0.53), and total weekly continuous running minutes (P = 0.095, d = 0.80) remained unchanged at post-intervention. All 9 patients remained injury free upon a 6-month medical record review. CONCLUSIONS: In 9 military service members with a RRI, a 10-week NRFS gait retraining intervention was effective in improving running mechanics and measures of function. Patients remained injury-free 6 months following enrollment. The outcomes of this pilot study suggest that individuals recovering from certain lower-extremity RRIs may benefit from transitioning to an NRFS running pattern.

Agreement Between the OptoGait and Instrumented Treadmill System for the Quantification of Spatiotemporal Treadmill Running Parameters.

The measurement of spatiotemporal gait parameters is commonly utilized to assess gait in healthy and injured individuals. The OptoGait system is a portable system and can be mounted to a treadmill to collect data in a clinical, training, or research setting. The purpose of this method comparison study was to examine the agreement of spatiotemporal gait parameters calculated by the OptoGait compared to an instrumented treadmill system during running. Thirty healthy runners ran on an instrumented treadmill with the OptoGait 1-m system mounted along the treadmill platform. Spatiotemporal running variables of step rate, step length, and contact time were calculated during the final minute of treadmill running. The level of agreement between the OptoGait and treadmill was analyzed using intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC (2,3)] for step rate, step length, and contact time. Step rate and step length demonstrated excellent agreement. Contact time demonstrated good agreement. Intraclass correlation coefficients for spatiotemporal parameters ranged from 0.83 to 0.99. The OptoGait demonstrated good to excellent agreement in the evaluation of running step rate, step length, and contact time and should be considered for use in clinical, training, or research settings.

The effectiveness of battlefield acupuncture in addition to standard physical therapy treatment after shoulder surgery: a protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: There is a large incidence of shoulder instability among active young athletes and military personnel. Shoulder stabilization surgery is the commonly employed intervention for treating individuals with instability. Following surgery, a substantial proportion of individuals experience acute post-operative pain, which is usually managed with opioid pain medications. Unfortunately, the extended use of opioid medications can have adverse effects that impair function and reduce military operational readiness, but there are currently few alternatives. However, battlefield acupuncture (BFA) is a minimally invasive therapy demonstrating promise as a non-pharmaceutical intervention for managing acute post-operative pain. METHODS: This is a parallel, two-arm, single-blind randomized clinical trial. The two independent variables are intervention (2 levels, standard physical therapy and standard physical therapy plus battlefield acupuncture) and time (5 levels, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h, 1 week, and 4 weeks post shoulder stabilization surgery). The primary dependent variables are worst and average pain as measured on the visual analog scale. Secondary outcomes include medication usage, Profile of Mood States, and Global Rating of Change. DISCUSSION: The magnitude of the effect of BFA is uncertain; current studies report confidence intervals of between-group differences that include minimal clinically important differences between intervention and control groups. The results of this study may help determine if BFA is an effective adjunct to physical therapy in reducing pain and opioid usage in acute pain conditions. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04094246 . Registered on 16 September 2019.

IS STEP RATE ASSOCIATED WITH RUNNING INJURY INCIDENCE? AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY WITH 9- MONTH FOLLOW UP.

BACKGROUND: Several strategies have been proposed to reduce loading of the lower extremity while running including step rate manipulation. It is unclear however, whether step rate influences the incidence of lower extremity injuries. PURPOSE: To examine the association between step rate and risk of injury in an adult recreational runner population. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective Cohort. METHODS: A total of 381 runners were prospectively followed for an average of nine months. Two-dimensional video was used to assess preferred step rate during a timed two-mile run or a 5K race. Injury surveillance to record sub-clinical injuries (those for which medical treatment was not sought) was performed via semi-monthly email surveys over the course of one year. Injury surveillance for clinical injuries (those for which medical treatment was sought) was performed via a full medical record review using the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application. Clinical, sub-clinical and combined clinical and sub-clinical injury incidence were assessed in separate analyses. Injury was operationally defined as seven or more days of reduced activity due to pain. To assess the predictive validity of running step rate, the step rate of participants who did not develop a musculoskeletal injury during the observation period were compared with the running step rate of participants who did develop an injury during the observation period. RESULTS: Out of 381 runners, 16 sustained a clinical overuse injury for which medical treatment was sought. Mean step rate for clinically un-injured runners was 172 steps/min and mean step rate for clinically injured runners was 173 steps/min which was not statistically significantly different (p = 0.77.) Out of 381 runners, 95 completed all four sub-clinical injury surveys (95/381 = 25%). Out of those 95 runners, 19 sustained a clinical (n=4) or sub-clinical injury (n=15). The step rate of sub-clinically injured and non-injured runners in this sub-sample was also not statistically significantly different (p = 0.08), with a mean of 174 steps/min for the uninjured group and a mean step rate of 170 steps/min for those in the sub-clinical injured group. CONCLUSION: Preferred step rate was not associated with lower extremity injury rates in this sample of DoD runners. Additional research is needed to justify preferred step rate manipulation as a means to reduce lower extremity injury risk. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level 3.

DRY NEEDLING AND PHYSICAL THERAPY VERSUS PHYSICAL THERAPY ALONE FOLLOWING SHOULDER STABILIZATION REPAIR: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIAL.

BACKGROUND: Post-operative range of motion (ROM) loss and pain can limit quality of life, prolong functional return to activity, and may be sport/career threatening. Dry needling (DN) is intended assist in the treatment of these complaints. PURPOSE: To determine if the addition of upper quarter DN to a rehabilitation protocol is more effective in improving ROM, pain, and functional outcome scores when compared to a rehabilitation protocol alone after shoulder stabilization surgery. STUDY DESIGN: Single-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial. METHODS: Thirty-nine post-operative shoulder patients were randomly allocated into two groups: (1) standard of care rehabilitation (control group) (2) standard of care rehabilitation plus dry needling (experimental group). Patient's pain, ROM, and functional outcome scores were assessed at baseline (4 weeks post-operative), and at 8 weeks, 12 weeks, and 6 months post-operative. RESULTS: Of 39 enrolled patients, 20 were allocated to the control group and 19 to the experimental group. At six-month follow up, there was a statistically significant improvement in shoulder flexion ROM in the control group. Aside from this, there were no significant differences in outcomes between the two treatment groups. Both groups showed improvement over time. No adverse events were reported. CONCLUSION: Dry needling of the shoulder girdle in addition to standard of care rehabilitation after shoulder stabilization surgery did not significantly improve shoulder ROM, pain, or functional outcome scores when compared with standard of care rehabilitation alone. Both group's improvement was largely equal over time. The significant difference in flexion at the six-month follow up may be explained by additional time spent receiving passive range of motion (PROM) in the control group. These results provide preliminary evidence that dry needling in a post-surgical population is safe and without significant risk of iatrogenic infection or other adverse events. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapy, Level 2.

Acute Fracture of the Third Metacarpal in a Handball Player.

A 20-year-old right hand-dominant male military cadet presented to the direct-access physical therapy clinic complaining of pain and swelling of his right hand, which was injured while competing in a team handball match the day before. Due to suspicion of a third metacarpal fracture, fluoroscopy was performed on the cadet's hand in the physical therapy clinic, and an apparent oblique fracture was noted. Confirmatory radiographs were ordered and the cadet was referred for orthopaedic consultation. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(1):44. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9034.

Association Between Running Shoe Characteristics and Lower Extremity Injuries in United States Military Academy Cadets.

BACKGROUND: Running-related overuse injuries are very common among recreational runners, with the reported annual injury rates ranging from 39% to 85%. Relatively few large prospective cohort studies have been conducted to investigate injury risk associated with different running shoe characteristics, and the results of the existing studies are often contradictory. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The purpose was to investigate the relationship between running shoe characteristics and lower extremity musculoskeletal injury. It was hypothesized that the risk of injury would be increased in individuals wearing shoes with minimal torsional stiffness and heel height compared with those wearing shoes with greater levels of torsional stiffness and heel height. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: The study included 1025 incoming cadets. Shoe torsional stiffness and heel height were calculated and recorded. Demographic data were recorded and analyzed as potential covariates. Lower extremity injuries sustained over 9 weeks during cadet basic training were documented by use of the Armed Forces Health Longitudinal Technology Application and the Cadet Illness and Injury Tracking System. Kaplan-Meier survival curves were estimated, with time to incident lower extremity injury as the primary outcome by level of the independent predictor variables. Risk factors or potential covariates were carried forward into multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models. Absolute and relative risk reduction and numbers needed to treat were calculated. RESULTS: Approximately 18.1% of participants incurred a lower extremity injury. Cadets wearing shoes with moderate lateral torsional stiffness were 49% less likely to incur any type of lower extremity injury and 52% less likely to incur an overuse lower extremity injury than cadets wearing shoes with minimal lateral torsional stiffness, both of which were statistically significant observations. Injury risk was similar among cadets wearing shoes with minimal and extreme lateral torsional stiffness. CONCLUSION: Shoes with mild to moderate lateral torsional stiffness may be appropriate in reducing risk of lower extremity injury in cadets. Shoes with minimal lateral torsional stiffness should be discouraged in this population.

Battlefield Acupuncture and Physical Therapy Versus Physical Therapy Alone After Shoulder Surgery.

Objective: Opioid pain medications are commonly prescribed postsurgically for pain. Few studies have investigated the effects of Battlefield Acupuncture (BFA) on postsurgical pain and pain-medication use. To date, no studies have investigated BFA's effectiveness for reducing postoperative shoulder pain and pain-medication use post surgery. The objective of this study was to determine if adding BFA to a rehabilitation protocol was effective for reducing pain and use of prescribed pain medications, compared to that protocol alone after shoulder surgery. Materials and Methods: Forty Department of Defense beneficiaries (ages 17-55) were randomized to either a standard-of-care group or a standard-of-care + BFA group prior to shoulder surgery. The standard BFA protocol was administered with semipermanent acupuncture needles emplaced on the subjects' ears for 3-5 days within 24 hours after shoulder surgery in an outpatient physical therapy setting. BFA was reapplied, as needed, up to 6 weeks postsurgically for pain management in the intervention group. The primary outcomes were visual analogue scale (VAS) pain rating and daily pain medication use by each subject. Secondary outcome measures were the Global Rating of Change and Patient Specific Functional scale. Outcome measures were obtained at 24 hours, 72 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, and 6 weeks post surgery. Results: Significant differences in average and worst VAS pain change scores were noted between baseline and 7 days (P < 0.05). The main effect for time was significant (average and worst VAS pain) at all timepoints (P < 0.05), without time-group interactions seen. No significant differences between the groups in pain-medication use were observed (P > 0.05) Conclusions: BFA reduced postsurgical shoulder pain significantly between the groups' average and worst pain change scores between baseline and 7 days despite similar opioid and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use between the groups.

The stability of step rate throughout a 3200 meter run.

Step rate has been studied in controlled laboratory settings due to its association with biomechanical parameters related to running injuries. However, the stability of step rate in a run over ground when speed is not controlled remains unclear. In this observational cohort study, 30 subjects were asked to run 3200 meters (m) over ground at their self-selected pace during an Army Physical Fitness Test. Stationary cameras were placed along the paved course to capture step rate at 800 m, 1200 m, 1800 m, and 2200 m. For analysis of step rate at four different time points, a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a Bonferroni-Holm correction was utilized to determine statistical difference with a significance level set at p < 0.05 (95% confidence intervals). There was a statistically significant (p = 0.04) difference between step rate at two different time points; however, the mean group difference in step rate was approximately 1-2 steps per minute, which is not likely clinically meaningful. There was no difference in average weekly miles trained or performance time in those who demonstrated a change in step rate versus those who maintained a steady step rate. Clinicians and researchers may be able to expect step rate to be consistent from 800 m-2200 m during a 3200 m timed run regardless of the runner's training mileage or performance time. This may be valuable for observing over ground running characteristics when the full course of a run cannot be viewed as it could within a laboratory setting.

Primary Synovial Osteochondromatosis Discovered After Ankle Sprain.

A 23-year-old military cadet presented to a direct-access physical therapy clinic for an ankle sprain 1 day after inverting his left ankle. Following examination, the physical therapist ordered lower-leg radiographs, which showed no fracture; however, small, rounded, partially calcified bodies were noted in the ankle. Additional ankle imaging was ordered under radiologist guidance. Preoperative computed tomography of the cadet's left ankle, ordered by orthopaedics, demonstrated chondral and osteochondral bodies. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2019;49(4):284. doi:10.2519/jospt.2019.8383.