Ariella Gartenberg, Alexander Petrie, Rene Dreifuss
{"title":"The vascular neck restraint of mixed martial arts: understanding the pathophysiology, Hemodynamics, and long-term consequences.","authors":"Ariella Gartenberg, Alexander Petrie, Rene Dreifuss","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2491119","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00913847.2025.2491119","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>B Mixed martial arts (MMA) brings various forms of martial art disciplines together as a unified sport. Sportive 'choking,' also known as vascular neck compression, vascular neck restraint (VNR), or carotid restraints are utilized in MMA to apply jugular and carotid compression and subdue one's opponent. Few studies have explored the long-term consequences of VNRs, as well as the underlying pathophysiology and hemodynamics of the restraint. A narrative review was conducted in order to explore the long-term consequences of VNRs, as well as the underlying pathophysiology and hemodynamics of the restraint.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Medical literature published prior to 2025 was identified utilizing MEDLINE/PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Initial search terms included mixed martial arts, injuries, neck chokes, carotid restraints, and vascular neck restraints. Articles were then subcategorized into pathophysiology, safety profile, and medical complications of VNRs. A total of 25 research articles were included in the final manuscript.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Mixed Martial Arts is the fastest growing sport within the United States, especially among the adolescent population. The head and neck region is the most commonly injured territory, with neck chokes comprising 14.1% of reported match stoppage. The pathophysiology of VNR-induced unconsciousness is misunderstood by many. The likely pathophysiologic endpoint is cerebral hypoxia due to reduced cerebral perfusion pressure, primarily from compression of the jugular veins and carotid arteries and, rarely, from carotid sinus baroreceptor compression. In addition, few studies exist regarding the long-term consequences of VNRs. The current literature appears to demonstrate an acceptable safety profile when the VNR is performed properly.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Further studies are needed to explore the underlying pathophysiology of VNR induced unconsciousness, as well as the long term consequences of VNR in order to guide establishment of MMA fighter safety profiles and health-care professional management guidelines.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143812796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Aleksander Truszyński, Jędrzej Fischer, Marcin Rychter, Arkadiusz Kacała, Igor Hnat, Dariusz Janczak, Andrzej Szuba
{"title":"Recurrent ischemic events in the setting of posterior circumflex humeral artery aneurysm in an athletic young adult: a case report with diagnostic pitfalls.","authors":"Aleksander Truszyński, Jędrzej Fischer, Marcin Rychter, Arkadiusz Kacała, Igor Hnat, Dariusz Janczak, Andrzej Szuba","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2488243","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2488243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Posterior circumflex humeral artery (PCHA) aneurysm is a rare condition, often affecting young professional overhead sports athletes, such as volleyball or baseball players. This condition is one of the manifestations of quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS). We present the case of a 20-year-old former basketball player and recreational swimmer, currently a member of the national team in precision flying, who developed recurrent symptoms of digital ischemia due to a PCHA aneurysm. Despite undergoing computed tomography (CT) imaging, the aneurysm was initially not identified, which delayed proper diagnosis. The patient ultimately underwent surgical treatment, leading to successful resolution of symptoms and return to physical activity. This case underscores the diagnostic challenges of PCHA aneurysm, especially in athletes presenting with unexplained digital ischemia, and emphasizes the need for awareness of this condition among sports medicine and vascular specialists.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-6"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143774750","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Auston R Locke, Niklas H Koehne, Matthew D Ramey, John J Corvi, Austin A Alley, Avanish Yendluri, Junho Song, Nikan K Namiri, Osemwengie Enabulele, Brian R Waterman, Xinning Li, Robert L Parisien
{"title":"The rise in electric biking (E-bike) injuries: a 10-year age and sex-specific analysis of national injury data.","authors":"Auston R Locke, Niklas H Koehne, Matthew D Ramey, John J Corvi, Austin A Alley, Avanish Yendluri, Junho Song, Nikan K Namiri, Osemwengie Enabulele, Brian R Waterman, Xinning Li, Robert L Parisien","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2470104","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2470104","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Electric biking (E-bike) is a growing recreation and transportation mode often linked to high-impact injuries. This study aimed to identify the age and sex-specific distribution and primary mechanisms of E-bike-related injuries in the US.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) was queried for E-bike-related injuries present to US Emergency Department (Eds) from 1 January 2013-31 December 2022. Each narrative was reviewed to exclude injuries not sustained while directly operating an E-bike. Injuries that occurred while riding regular bikes, mopeds, or motorized vehicles that were not E-bikes were also excluded. Patient demographics, injured body part, diagnosis, and disposition were recorded. NEISS narratives were assessed to identify injury mechanisms. Annual injury trends were evaluated by exponential regression and case weighting was completed, all using SPSS statistical software.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 45,845 nationally estimated (NE) E-bike-related injuries (1,049 NEISS Cases) presented to US EDs from 2013 to 2022. Exponential regression revealed a significant increase in annual injuries across the study period (<i>p</i> = 0.047). The frequency of injuries remained steady prior to 2019, with a 90.9% increase from 2019 (NE: 2,171) to 2022 (NE: 23749) (<i>p</i> = 0.005). Hospitalization was required for 10.9% of patients following E-bike-related injury, with hospitalization most frequently occurring through fracture (51.2%) and concussion (29.9%). The most injured body part for the youth, middle school, and high school age groups was the head, whereas for the college, young adult, and adult group was the finger. Lastly, 30% of injuries associated with E-biking had motor vehicle involvement.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The rate of E-bike-related injuries has risen significantly over the last decade, including a large increase post-COVID. Falls causing fractures were the most frequent injury type for both sexes. Greater than 10% of patients required hospital admission. The high rate of vehicle-induced collisions emphasizes the need for additional regulations and legislation to protect E-bikers.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"1-8"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143469989","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Epidemiology of ankle sprain and chronic ankle instability in elite adolescent dancesport athletes.","authors":"Zijian Liu, Ryusei Yamaguchi, Siyang Fu, Hanye Zhao, Yanshu Li, Yusuke Kobayashi, Yining Gong, Tsukasa Kumai","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2418283","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2418283","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Dancesport is performed in high-heeled shoes. Dancesport athletes may have a higher prevalence and incidence of ankle sprains, which can affect their performance. However, the occurrence of ankle sprains among dancesport athletes remains unclear. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and incidence of ankle sprains among elite dancesport athletes and to investigate the related information.</p><p><strong>Method: </strong>We conducted a mixed descriptive epidemiological study (cross-sectional and longitudinal) involving 198 elite adolescent dancesport athletes, using past medical records and questionnaires administered to the participants. Data on the occurrence of ankle sprains among all participants were compiled using medical records and information on injury mechanisms, missed days, severity types, and countermeasures for ankle sprains were collected. The prevalence of chronic ankle instability (CAI) among the participants was assessed using a questionnaire. Following the initial survey, we conducted a one-year follow-up study to investigate the incidence of ankle sprains, incidence rate per 1000 exposure hours, and recurrence of ankle sprains.</p><p><strong>Result: </strong>The cross-sectional study and longitudinal study included 198 participants and 92 elite dancesport athletes, respectively. The prevalence of ankle sprains and CAI was 49.5% and 45.1%, respectively. Of all ankle sprains, 88% were medial injuries. The most common injury mechanisms were turning (46.9%) and jumping (46.9%). The average number of missed days due to ankle sprains was 11.2 days. Most injuries were managed with rest, and only one male athlete underwent surgery due to an ankle sprain sustained during dancing. During the one-year follow-up, the incidence of ankle sprains, incidence rate per 1000 exposure hours, and recurrence rate of ankle sprains were 46.6% (male, 41.2%; female, 48.8%), 0.65 ankle sprains/1000 h, and 35.3%, respectively. No sex-related differences were observed.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>It is crucial to focus on the occurrence of ankle sprains and CAI in dancesport athletes with high heels. Future research should clarify the impact of ankle sprains on dancesport performance and develop preventive measures to reduce the incidence and recurrence of these associated injuries.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"119-128"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142480265","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Snezana Damjanovic, Carlo Rossi, Nikola Manolopoulos, Tamara Matijevic, Dajana Korpak, Admir Kurtanovic, Vanja Murtin, Mia Stanojevic, Valerio Giustino, Roberto Roklicer, Antonino Bianco, Patrik Drid
{"title":"Doping in combat sports: a systematic review.","authors":"Snezana Damjanovic, Carlo Rossi, Nikola Manolopoulos, Tamara Matijevic, Dajana Korpak, Admir Kurtanovic, Vanja Murtin, Mia Stanojevic, Valerio Giustino, Roberto Roklicer, Antonino Bianco, Patrik Drid","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2449812","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2449812","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Purpose: </strong>This systematic review aims to synthesize the current research on doping in combat sports, examining the prevalence, detection methods, prevention strategies, and overall impact on combat sports.</p><p><strong>Design/methodology/approach: </strong>Of the 21 identified articles, six met the inclusion criteria. A systematic approach was used, including content analysis based on specific criteria: articles in English, original research, and relevance to sport and doping.</p><p><strong>Findings: </strong>The review reveals an unsettling prevalence of doping across combat sports, suggesting that current detection and prevention efforts may be insufficient to address the unique pressures and risks within these disciplines. In particular, substances like anabolic agents, diuretics, hormone modulators, and NSAIDs are commonly detected, especially among athletes in heavier weight categories and those engaging in rapid weight loss. Psychological and social factors, including social norms and perceived acceptance within athletic environments, appear to play a significant role in shaping doping behaviors, complicating prevention efforts. Beta-agonists emerged as the sixth most frequent cause of adverse analytical findings (AAF) in 2020, according to WADA data, while kickboxing had the highest AAF rate among combat sports in a 2015 report. These trends suggest a pressing need for more comprehensive, nuanced approaches to regulation.</p><p><strong>Research limitations/implications: </strong>Limited to English-language articles The honesty of athletes about their experience in doping could have influenced the results.</p><p><strong>Originality/value: </strong>As the first systematic review on doping in combat sports, this study offers valuable insights and underscores the urgency of developing anti-doping policies and it provides insightful data for future research directions for addressing doping in these disciplines.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"103-111"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142928436","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Natália Vilela Silva Daniel, Diogo Thimoteo da Cunha, Taisa Belli, Andrea Maculano Esteves
{"title":"Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the nutrition knowledge questionnaire for ultra-endurance athletes (ULTRA-Q) for Brazil.","authors":"Natália Vilela Silva Daniel, Diogo Thimoteo da Cunha, Taisa Belli, Andrea Maculano Esteves","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2439243","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2439243","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aimed to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and validate a questionnaire to assess the nutrition knowledge of Brazilian ultra-endurance athletes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This is an observational and cross-sectional study, which adapted and validated the Nutritional Knowledge Questionnaire for Ultra-endurance Athletes (ULTRA-Q). ULTRA-Q was translated into Portuguese, and then the translated version was assessed for semantic, idiomatic, cultural and conceptual equivalence by six specialist nutritionists. In addition to suggesting adaptations to the questionnaire, the experts evaluated the clarity and relevance of the items, calculating the Content Validity Coefficient (CVC). The adapted version was applied to 46 ultra-endurance athletes to evaluate reproducibility and validity. After the test-retest, the instrument was also answered by 54 nutritionists, to evaluate the construct validity of the questionnaire.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The Brazilian version (ULTRA-QBR) of the questionnaire for ultra-endurance athletes had adequate CVC for clarity (0.97) and pertinence (0.95), and presented adequate discriminant validity. The data from the intraclass correlation coefficient indicates good reproducibility of the questionnaire, and the difference observed between athletes and nutritionists reinforces the evidence of the questionnaire's construct validity.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The results demonstrate content, construct and discriminant validity, test-retest reproducibility, and internal consistency of the ULTRA-QBR. We concluded that this questionnaire can be used as an interesting tool in research and clinical practice in ultra-endurance sports.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"178-184"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142815023","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Stefano Palermi, Erica Brugin, Maurizio Schiavon, Francesco Tulipano Di Franco, Paolo Sartori, Veronica Baioccato, Marco Vecchiato
{"title":"Sport-related pneumomediastinum in a synchronized swimmer: from diagnosis to return to play.","authors":"Stefano Palermi, Erica Brugin, Maurizio Schiavon, Francesco Tulipano Di Franco, Paolo Sartori, Veronica Baioccato, Marco Vecchiato","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2457313","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2025.2457313","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"185-188"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143015795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Epidemiology of injuries in UK based golfers: a retrospective study.","authors":"Ashley Williams, Andrew Murray, Graeme G Sorbie","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2432859","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2432859","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>Golf participation numbers have increased in recent years within the UK and globally. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis of injuries in amateur and professional golfers showed over half of golfers sustain an injury during their lifetime. This review recommended that future research should utilize the recent international consensus on reporting of injury in golf. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and severity of injuries sustained by UK-based golfers in the previous year.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional online survey consisting of 35 questions was disseminated to UK-based golfers. Non-overlapping 95% confidence intervals (CI) were utilized to indicate significant differences.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>There were 303 participants included for analysis. The overall injury incidence was 41.26 injuries per 1000 hours (CI 35.96-47.33). Consistent with the wider literature, the lower back at 9.94 injuries per 1000 hours (CI 7.48-13.22) is the most frequent injury site. The lower back had a mean time loss of 54 ± 89 days before full recovery. Repetitive movement injuries were noted to have a higher incidence (22.00 per 1000 hours, CI 18.19-26.61) in comparison to acute injuries (10.79 per 1000 hours, CI 8.21 to 14.18).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Anatomically, the proportion of injuries observed was comparable to previous epidemiology studies, with the lower back and elbow having the highest incidences in this largely amateur group of golfers. Most injuries were identified to be a muscle strain, joint sprain, or tendinopathy; however, no single identifiable mechanism of injury was identified.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"152-158"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142741252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Matías Dominguez, Juan Pablo Rico, Franco Tedesco, Eduardo Tondelli
{"title":"Injury incidence, prevalence, and burden in an Argentinian male youth soccer academy: one-season descriptive study.","authors":"Matías Dominguez, Juan Pablo Rico, Franco Tedesco, Eduardo Tondelli","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2425265","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2425265","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To prospectively describe the incidence, severity, and burden of injuries in the youth divisions of an Argentinian professional soccer club during a competitive season.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two hundred and twelve male soccer academy players were grouped by age categories and maturity offset as pre-peak height velocity (PHV), circa-PHV and post-PHV. Injury characteristics were recorded as the International Olympic Committee suggests.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>A total of 235 time-loss injuries were sustained by 101 different players. The overall injury incidence rate was of 5.8 injuries per 1000 hours (h), with a training and match injury incidence rate of 4.9 and 9.7 injuries per 1000 h, respectively. The prevalence over the season was 47%. Most of the injuries (202) affected the lower limbs (86.6%) and most of them were classified as muscle/tendon injuries (<i>n</i> = 117, 49.8%). Hamstring structural injury was the diagnosis with the highest burden in both circa and post-PHV groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The incidence, prevalence, and injury burden reported in this study would add valuable information to Argentinians' youth soccer institutions. Post-PHV players had higher incidence, severity, and burden compared to circa-PHV. Structural/functional injuries to the muscle/tendon represented the highest burden for type of injuries (41.1 per 1000 h), suggesting a need for implementing preventive measures.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"138-146"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142565216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bryson R Kemler, Donald P Willier, Taylor D'Amore, Steven B Cohen, Christopher C Dodson, Michael G Ciccotti
{"title":"Return to play after UCL injury in gymnasts.","authors":"Bryson R Kemler, Donald P Willier, Taylor D'Amore, Steven B Cohen, Christopher C Dodson, Michael G Ciccotti","doi":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2414462","DOIUrl":"10.1080/00913847.2024.2414462","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Injuries to the ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) are commonly reported in traditional overhead sports. Conversely, there is a lack of evidence outlining management and return to play (RTP) outcomes for gymnasts. This study aimed to evaluate RTP and patient reported outcomes (PROs) in gymnasts after operative and non-operative treatment of UCL injuries.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Gymnasts who presented with UCL injury and underwent operative and non-operative treatment were evaluated. Patient reported outcomes were collected via telephone: Conway-Jobe Scale, Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic Shoulder and Elbow (KJOC) Score, Mayo Elbow Performance (MEP) Score, and quick DASH (qDASH) and Timmerman-Andrews (TA) Elbow Score.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Nine patients met inclusion criteria and were available for follow-up. Five were initially treated operatively and four were initially treated non-operatively. The operative group initially consisted of three ulnar collateral ligament reconstructions (UCLR) and two UCL repairs with internal bracing. One patient crossed over to the operative group after failing non-operative treatment and underwent UCLR four months post injury. Overall, 66.7% and 100% of operatively and non-operatively treated gymnasts were able to return to play, respectively. At final follow-up, the operative groups' mean KJOC, MEP, TA, and qDASH scores were: 68.4 ± 7.7, 97.5 ± 2.7, 90.8 ± 10.7, and 1.9 ± 3.0, respectively. For the non-operative group, the mean scores were 67.4 ± 9.0, 71.7 ± 5.8, 71.7 ± 14.4, and 11.4 ± 9.9, respectively. Treatment satisfaction for the operative group was 81.7 ± 27.5 compared to 80.6 ± 34.5 in the non-operative group. Odds ratios indicated no differences between groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Both operative and non-operative interventions for UCL injuries in gymnasts can provide favorable outcomes with respect to return to play and subjective patient-reported outcomes. Further research is warranted to determine optimal treatment, especially regarding indications for operative vs. nonoperative treatment, of UCL injury based on injury severity and location in gymnasts.</p><p><strong>Level of evidence: </strong>Case series; Level III Evidence.</p>","PeriodicalId":51268,"journal":{"name":"Physician and Sportsmedicine","volume":" ","pages":"112-118"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142395074","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}