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MEDIAL COLLATERAL

LIGAMENT INJURIES AND SUBSEQUENT LOAD ON THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT. Battaglia MJ 2nd, Lenhoff MW,

Ehteshami JR, et al.

American Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;37:305–311

Ten human cadaveric knees were sequentially tested by a robot with the medial collateral ligament intact, in a partial injury model, and in a complete injury model with a universal force- moment sensor measuring system. Tibial translation, rotation and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) load were measured under three conditions – anterior load, valgus load and internal–external rotation torque – all at 0° and 30° of flexion.

Anterior and posterior translation did not statistically increase with a partial or complete medial collateral ligament injury at 0° and 30° of flexion. In response to a 125-N anterior load, at 0° the ACL load increased by 8.7% in the partial injury and by 18.3% in the complete injury. At 30° the ACL load was increased by 12.3% in the partial injury and by 20.6% in the complete injury. In response to valgus torque at 30°, ACL load was increased by 55.3% in the partial injury model and by 185% in the complete injury model. In response to internal rotation torque at 30°, the ACL load was increased by 29.3% in the partial injury model and by 65.2% in the complete injury model. The amount of internal rotation at 30° of flexion was increased significantly in the complete injury model (22.8°) versus the intact state (19.5°).

sportEX comment Partial and complete medial

collateral ligament tears significantly increased the load on the ACL. Patients may need to be protected from valgus and internal rotation forces after ACL reconstruction in the setting of a concomitant partial medial collateral ligament tear.

THE EFFECT OF ANKLE TAPING ON DETECTION OF INVERSION–EVERSION MOVEMENTS IN PARTICIPANTS WITH RECURRENT ANKLE SPRAIN. Refshauge KM, Raymond J, Kilbreath SL, et al. American Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;37:371–375

The threshold for movement detection was measured in 16 participants with recurrent ankle sprain under two conditions: with the ankle taped or untaped.

The threshold for movement detection was examined at three velocities (0.1°/s, 0.5°/s, 2.5°/s) and in two directions (inversion, eversion). Results: application of tape significantly decreased the ability to detect movements at the ankle. For example, at 0.5°/s, the 70% detection threshold was 3.40° in inversion and 3.49° in eversion at the untaped ankle, and 4.02° in inversion and 4.04° in eversion at the taped ankle.

sportEX comment Taping is often used to counter the proprioceptive deficit after joint injury such as ankle sprain, but the effect of taping on proprioceptive acuity at the ankle is unclear, with studies producing conflicting findings. The findings here suggest that the efficacy of taping is unlikely to be explained by an enhanced ability to detect inversion or eversion movements. This should not stop clinicians taping in order to reduce the likelihood of re-sprain, as other studies suggest a prophylactic effect of taping.

DIFFERENCES IN ANKLE RANGE OF MOTION BEFORE AND AFTER EXERCISE IN TWO TAPE CONDITIONS. Purcell SB, Schuckman BE, Docherty CL, et al. American Journal of Sports Medicine 2009;37:383–389

This was a controlled laboratory study. Twenty volunteers participated in testing procedures on three separate days, one for each taping condition (self-

adherent, white cloth, no tape). The participant’s ankle range of motion was measured with an electrogoniometer before application of the tape, immediately after application of the tape, and after 30 minutes of physical exercise. Range of motion was measured in two planes of motion: inversion to eversion, and dorsiflexion to plantar flexion. White cloth tape and self-adherent tape both restricted inversion to eversion range of motion immediately after application, but with 30 minutes of exercise only the self-adherent tape maintained the decreased range of motion. For dorsiflexion to plantar flexion range of motion, the white tape and self-adherent tape both significantly decreased range of motion immediately after application and after the exercise protocol.

sportEX comment

Athletic tape has been used on the ankle to decrease range of motion and to prevent injuries. Results from previous research found that with physical exercise athletic tape loses some of its restricting properties. Self-adherent tape maintained range of motion restriction both before and after exercise and performs better than the white cloth tape, so although it may be more expensive the self-adhesive stuff is worth it.

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sportEX 2008:40(April):3-5