Prognostic studies, Level II.

III.

PurposeThe purpose of this three-year cohort study was to assess the incidence rates and characteristics of abnormal lumbar findings and low back pain (LBP) in child and adolescent weightlifting athletes using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and medical questionnaires. This study evaluated subclinical sports injuries, which in turn may help prevent competition-specific injuries and improve performance levels.Materials and methodsBetween 2014 and 2016, twelve participants who had been competing in weightlifting events for at least 2 years were enrolled in this study. The mean age of the participants at the start of this study was 11.4 ± 2.0 years, and there were 6 boys and 6 girls. Annual medical questionnaire surveys and lumbar examinations using MRI were performed during the 3-year follow-up. The incidence rates and variations of LBP and abnormal MRI findings were evaluated.ResultsAt the start of this study, there were no positive findings of LBP, and abnormal lumbar findings on MRI were observed in only 2 participants. At the 2-year follow-up, 1 participant had LBP, and 8 of 12 participants had abnormal lumbar findings. In the final year, only 3 participants had LBP; however, abnormal lumbar findings were observed on MRI in 11 participants. Among these, lumbar spondylolysis was observed in 4 participants, lumbar disc protrusion or extrusion in 2 participants, and lumbar disc degeneration in 9 participants.ConclusionThis prospective 3-year cohort study of 12 child and adolescent weightlifters revealed abnormal lumbar findings in 11 participants at a high rate on MRI examination. Children and adolescents undergoing resistance training at the competition level could potentially have irreversible changes in the lumbar vertebra without symptoms.

No abstract

Purpose The purpose of this study was to evaluate (1) the diagnostic value of using single and multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for lateral meniscus posterior root tear (LMPRT) detection in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and (2) the influence of time from ACL injury to MRI assessment on LMPRT detection. Finally, we investigated the relationship between LMPRT and bone bruising. Methods In all, 231 knees with ACL injury, 32 with LMPRT, were retrospectively assessed. Cases were evaluated for LMPRT based on the cleft, ghost, and truncated triangle signs, used individually or in combination. To assess the influence of the timing of the MRI assessment on LMPRT detection, we also evaluated the overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in cases in which MRI was performed within 2 weeks of injury. The number of condyles with bone bruising was assessed and then compared between patients with and without LMPRT. Results Although the sensitivity and specificity of the three signs individually were 34.4-65.6% and 94.0-97.0%, when at least one of these signs was positive, the sensitivity and specificity were 84.4% and 90.5%, respectively. However, the diagnostic value of each sign when MRI was performed within 2 weeks of injury was lower than the overall value. There was a significant difference in the number of condyles with bone bruising between the LMPRT (3 ± 1) and non-LMPRT (2 ± 2) groups. Conclusions Although the sensitivity of each sign for LMPRT was low, LMPRT could be detected adequately if these signs were used in combination. Therefore, surgeons should detect LMPRT using these three signs in combination, not individually. Level of evidence IV.