This month, we will investigate some studies that attempt to answer the following questions:
Patellar dislocation is a common event in sports. Over the years a profile of a young, overweight, sedentary adolescent girl as the prime victim has been developed. This study evaluated and followed 74 patients with acute, lateral patellar dislocation. The results seem to indicate a profile that has some common characteristics, however, that do not meet the stereotype once assumed. The findings are summarized below:
There are conflicting reports of the benefit or risk in using prophylactic (used to prevent injury) knee braces. This study compared a number of braces to determine any effect on performance of the 40-yard dash and a four-cone agility drill. Performance was compared to a group not wearing any brace. In addition, they measured the degree of brace migration with these activities. A common complaint of knee braces is that they do not remain in place with activity, usually resulting in superior/inferior migration. The braces used were the DonJoy Legend, Breg Tradition, OMNI-ASK 101W, McDavid Knee Guard, and models I and II of the Air Armor Knee and Thigh Protection System. The results are as follows:
Patellar tendinopathy can be a very difficult condition to deal with, given that it occurs in athletes who are high performers. Rest or major modification to activity is often a difficult prescription. As a result, those that try to maintain their level may find themselves in a surgical scenario. This study grouped patients according to a classification system. Stage one designates those individuals who have pain only with activity and have no apparent functional impairment. Stage two designates those with discomfort with activity and after activity, however, the individual can still perform at a satisfactory level. Stage three designates hose individuals who have pain with activity, and pain after activity is more prolonged. Stage three individuals cannot perform at a satisfactory level due to the pain. There were a total of 42 athletes. All were managed with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, and exercise.
Exercise for the stage three athletes was initiated with isometric quadriceps contractions and stretching of the quads, hams, and adductors/abductors of the hip. There was also a focus on eccentric training of the quadriceps. At six months, 33 patients were asymptomatic and able to return to sports; nine patients in stage three required surgery. At a mean follow-up of 4.8 years, all patients were doing well. Those with stage two involvement faired better than those with stage three. This may indicate that the earlier the athlete is managed in the course of involvement based on symptoms, the better the outcome.
Thomas Souza,DC,DACBSP
San Jose, California
souzata@earthlink.net
When sports chiropractors first appeared at the Olympic Games in the 1980s, it was alongside individual athletes who had experienced the benefits of chiropractic care in their training and recovery processes at home. Fast forward to Paris 2024, where chiropractic care was available in the polyclinic for all athletes, and the attitude has now evolved to recognize that “every athlete deserves access to sports chiropractic."
It is estimated that 61% of patients with CTS avoid taking surgical options due to postoperative complications and costly surgical procedures. Chiropractic care offers a comprehensive and effective treatment for carpal tunnel syndrome, addressing the condition from multiple angles. Recent studies also have unveiled a game-changing adjunct to chiropractic treatments for CTS: nerve flossing.
Some doctors thrive in a personality-based clinic and have a loyal following no matter what services or equipment they offer, but for most chiropractic offices who are trying to grow and expand, new equipment purchases help us stay relevant and continue to service our client base in the best, most up-to-date manner possible. So, regarding equipment purchasing: should you lease, get a bank loan, or pay cash?
