The Inman ankle machine was modified to determine plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, inversion neutral, eversion neutral, plantarflexion inversion, and plantarflexion eversion before taping, immediately after taping, and with tape after a 2.5- to 3-hour football practice. The previously uninjured feet and ankles of 16 college-age football players were used. All were tape by the same method. A single-tailed paired-sample t-test was done to determine the minimun amount of restriction that could be expected for each motion after the exercise period. Ninety percent confidence intervals between untaped versus taped preexercise, untaped versus taped postexercise for all motions were determined. Inversion neutral, plantarflexion inversion, and eversion neutral had an average residual restriction after exercise of 50%, or greater than the initial restriction prior to exercise. plantarflexion, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion eversion loosened significantly greater than 50%.

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In brief A 14-year-old female gymnast reported pain at the dorsum of her right wrist. Physical examination and radiographs suggested a stress fracture of the wrist physis-an injury reported most often in highly competitive, advanced gymnasts. Radiographs revealed marked widening of the growth plate and haziness within the epiphyseal plate. Treatment involved immobilization of the patient's wrist for 7 weeks until radiographic abnormalities reversed, and physical therapy for 2 weeks to increase wrist flexibility and strength.

In brief: An unusual blocking technique caused dislocation of the metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumbs of both a college and a high school football offensive lineman. They were attempting to use their thumbs for additional leverage in obtaining a better mechanical advantage over their opponents. As the rule stands this may be a legal technique, but the authors advise a rule change or clarification to discourage its use.

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