Ultrasonography and clinical examination of knee injuries in pre- and post- menarche dancers

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating whether the prevalence of knee injuries and morphological features are different among pre-and-post menarche dancers; Sixty-seven pre-and-post menarche dancers were screened for anthropometric parameters; knee laxity; patella femoral pain syndrome (PFPS), pathologies and anatomical structure of the knees. Both groups showed a high and similar prevalence of PFPS. The post-menarche dancers produced a significantly higher rate of Tanner stages 3-4 (p = .010), greater weight (p < .001) higher BMI (p = .003); and, higher prevalence of MCL pathology, pes planus, and scoliosis compared with pre-menarche dancers (p < .05). The pre-menarche dancers started dance practice earlier (p = .008); and, showed significantly higher prevalence of lateral laxity, patellar laxity, positive Lachman test and positive Drawer test compared with post-menarche dancers (p < .05). Interactions (menarche yes/no by PFPS no/one leg/both legs) were found for BMI (p = .044; η = .187), trochlear cartilage thickness (p = .020; η = 0.121) and tip of patella - trochlear groove distance (p = .024; η = .150). Pre-and-post-menarche female dancers demonstrated similar prevalence of knee injuries, with different body morphology.

Knee Ultrasonography to Determine Risk for Noncontact Injuries in Collegiate American Football Players

“…4 Other studies have supported the capabilities for ultrasonography to predict development of symptoms in patellar tendons of soccer and volleyball players, as well as ballet dancers. 3,6,8,20,21 While numerous studies have assessed ultrasonography of quadriceps tendons as a prescreening tool for injury risk, the present study was the first to document its effectiveness in determining risk for noncontact quadriceps muscle disorders. Total 132…”

“…Comin et al and Visnes et al reported ultrasonography of the quadriceps and patellar tendons of athletes to be effective in determining relative risk for tendon-related injuries. 3,9 Furthermore, there are other studies that document strong correlations between abnormal ultrasonographic findings and development or worsening of patellar tendinopathy in basketball, 4 soccer, 6,20 and volleyball players, 8 as well as ballet dancers 3,21 and fencers. 7 As such, ultrasonography of the knee has the potential to serve as an effective screening tool for determining risk for common noncontact knee injuries sustained by American football players in an effort toward reducing injury risk through education, screening, prevention, and training programs aimed at the factors identified.…”

“…7 As such, ultrasonography of the knee has the potential to serve as an effective screening tool for determining risk for common noncontact knee injuries sustained by American football players in an effort toward reducing injury risk through education, screening, prevention, and training programs aimed at the factors identified. However, ultrasonographic imaging findings do not always correlate to physical examination, MRI, or risk for injury or symptomatic disease, 3,4,[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][15][16][17][18][19][20][21] suggesting that further prospective research is needed to determine the potential roles for knee ultrasonography as part of a comprehensive screening program for participation in sports. Therefore, this prospective longitudinal study was designed to test the hypothesis that ultrasonography may be a valuable screening tool for the relative risk of noncontact knee injuries that occur over a typical playing career in collegiate American football players.…”

Generalized joint hypermobility, scoliosis, patellofemoral pain, and physical abilities in young dancers

“…The rationale for measuring only patellofemoral pain (PFP) among our dancers in the current study (regardless of other conditions) was that GJH and scoliosis were reported to be related to PFP [24]. Furthermore, PFP was found to be the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition among young adolescent dancers along the growthspurt period [25]. In addition, young dancers suffering from PFP were found to have a significantly greater prevalence of scoliosis, a higher prevalence of hypermobility of the patella in knee extension and a higher prevalence of hypermobility of the patella in 30°knee flexion compared with dancers with no-PFP [26].…”

“…GJH was assessed by the Beighton 9-Point Hypermobility Test, following previous publications [25,31]. A dancer was diagnosed with GJH if she had a Beighton score of ≥5/9 [25,31].…”