HomeBlogThe Link Between Concussion and Lower Limb Injury in Athletes
The Link Between Concussion and Lower Limb Injury in Athletes
August 10, 2023
There is no question that participation in any type of physical activity comes with inherent risk of injury. When it comes tous force.
In light of research linking cognitive dysfunction and decline in retired athletes to play.
More Than Just Cognition
Since the onset of discourse about concussion in athletics, a great deal of research has been conducted on the to play.
In a study of Division I college athletes from a variety of sports over a three year period, Lynall et al. (2015) found that concussed athletes were at increased risk for lower extremity injury for as long as a year after return to blame for the increased rate of injury. They propose that disrupted cortical pathways after concussion may play a role.
The Shortcomings of Assessment
One of the issues in assessing athletes for concussion is the difficulty of subjective testing. Most assessment rely on feedback from the athlete, which can be skewed for several reasons, according to remain on the playing field, and a concussion means time out of play, putting their position on the field at risk.
The Need for Dynamic Functional Assessment
Lynall goes on to increased injury risk.
Cutting Edge Sports Physical Therapy in NYC
Injured athletes of all types require specific treatment by physical therapy sports medicine professionals who understand their needs. For sports physical therapy in New York City, NYDNR has cutting edge equipment and trained experienced professionals who can analyze, assess and treat sports and athletic injuries. NYDNR offers sports physical therapy services for Injury Risk Assessment, Gait Analysis, Functional Movement Analysis and Balance Assessment. Our unique Computer Assisted Rehabilitation Environment (C.A.R.E.N) offers a virtual reality environment, using technology developed for the military, to correct and teach healthy functional movement.
REFERENCE: Lynall, RC et al. (2015). Acute Lower Extremity Injury Rates Increase following Concussion in College Athletes. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 47(12), 2487-2492.
In this instance, an athlete was originally diagnosed with minor quadriceps muscle strain and was treated for four weeks, with unsatisfactory results. When he came to our clinic, the muscle was not healing, and the patients’ muscle tissue had already begun to atrophy.
Upon examination using MSUS, we discovered that he had a full muscle thickness tear that had been overlooked by his previous provider. To mitigate damage and promote healing, surgery should have been performed immediately after the injury occurred. Because of misdiagnosis and inappropriate treatment, the patient now has permanent damage that cannot be corrected.
The most important advantage of Ultrasound over MRI imaging is its ability to zero in on the symptomatic region and obtain imaging, with active participation and feedback from the patient. Using dynamic MSUS, we can see what happens when patients contract their muscles, something that cannot be done with MRI. From a diagnostic perspective, this interaction is invaluable.
Dynamic ultrasonography examination demonstrating the full thickness tear and already occurring muscle atrophy due to misdiagnosis and not referring the patient to proper diagnostic workup
Demonstration of how very small muscle defect is made and revealed to be a complete tear with muscle contraction under diagnostic sonography (not possible with MRI)
Complete tear of rectus femoris with large hematoma (blood)
Separation of muscle ends due to tear elicited on dynamic sonography examination
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