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ObjectivesThis study examines the incidence of ankle injuries and identifies ankle injury risk among contemporary preprofessional dancers.MethodsA total of 91 first-year contemporary preprofessional dancers were prospectively followed during one academic year. Self-reported ankle injuries, assessed with the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre questionnaire, were categorised as all complaint ankle injuries, substantial ankle injuries or time-loss ankle injuries. In addition, ankle injuries leading to medical attention were included. Regression analyses were used to determine the association between potential risk factors (dancer characteristics, history of ankle injury in the previous year, ankle range of motion and dorsiflexion) and ankle injuries.ResultsThe 1-year ankle injury incidence proportion was 18.7% (n=17), 8.8% (n=8), 15.4% (n=14) and 7.7% (n=7), respectively, for all complaint ankle injuries, ankle injuries requiring medical attention, time-loss injuries and substantial injuries. Being male (OR=0.27; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.75) and being a student of the Bachelors in Dance and Education (OR=0.27; 95% CI 0.08 to 0.97) were univariately associated with a lower risk of an ankle injury.ConclusionAlmost 20% of first-year preprofessional dancers reported an ankle injury, with more than 80% of the dancers reporting that their injury leads to dance time loss. Males and students of the bachelors in dance and education were at lower risk of ankle injuries. As ankle injuries are common among dancers, studies with larger sample sizes, a more heterogeneous population (eg, different dance styles) and longer follow-up periods are necessary to evaluate the impact of ankle injuries in further detail.

Purpose: In the Netherlands, over 20,000 patients sustain a hip fracture yearly. A first hip fracture is a risk factor for a second, contralateral fracture. Data on similarity of the treatment of bilateral femoral neck fractures are only scarcely available. The objectives of this study were to determine the cumulative incidence of non-simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures and to describe the patient characteristics and treatment characteristics of these patients.Methods: A database of 1,250 consecutive patients with a femoral neck fracture was available. Patients with a previous contralateral femoral neck fracture were identified by 27 reviewing radiographs and patient files. Patient characteristics, previous fractures, hip fracture type and details on treatment were collected from the patient files. Results:One hundred nine patients (9 %, 95 % confidence interval 7-10 %) had sustained a non-simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fracture. The median age at the first fracture was 81 years; the median interval between the fractures was 25 months. Overall, 73 % was treated similarly for both fractures in terms of non-operative treatment, internal fixation or arthroplasty. In patients with identical Garden classification (30 %), treatment similarity was 88 %. Conclusions:The cumulative incidence of non-simultaneous bilateral femoral neck fractures was 9 %. Most patients with identical fracture types were treated similarly. The relatively high risk of sustaining a second femoral neck fracture supports the importance of secondary prevention, especially in patients with a prior wrist or vertebral fracture.

BackgroundAnkle sprains are one of the most frequent injuries of the musculoskeletal system, with yearly around 680.000 new sprains in the Netherlands. Of these, about 130.000 people will visit the general practitioner (GP) each year. In addition, patients have an increased risk of a recurrent ankle sprain and about a third report at least one re-sprain. No optimal treatment strategy has proven to be effective in general practice, however promising results were achieved in a preventive trial among athletes. Therefore, the objective is to examine the (cost)-effectiveness of an unsupervised e-health supported neuromuscular training program in combination with usual care in general practice compared to usual care alone in patients with acute ankle sprains in general practice.Method/DesignThis study is a multi-center, open-label randomized controlled trial, with a one-year follow-up. Patients with an acute lateral ankle sprain, aged between 14 and 65 years and visiting the GP within three weeks of injury are eligible for inclusion. Patients will be randomized in two study groups. The intervention group will receive, in addition to usual care, a standardized eight-week neuromuscular training program guided by an App. The control group will receive usual care in general practice alone. The primary outcome of this study is the total number of ankle sprain recurrences reported during one year follow-up. Secondary outcomes are subjective recovery after one year follow-up, pain at rest and during activity, function, return to sport, cost-effectiveness and compliance of the intervention. Measurements will take place monthly for the study period of 12 months after baseline measurement.DiscussionFor general practitioners the treatment of acute ankle sprains is a challenge. A neuromuscular training program that has proven to be effective for athletes might be a direct treatment tool for acute ankle sprains in general practice. Positive results of this randomized controlled trial can lead to changes in practice guidelines for general practitioners. In addition, since this training program is e-health supported, positive results can also lead to a novel way of injury prevention.Trial registrationDutch Trial Registration: NTR4765.