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Aim: To estimate the frequency and localization of acute (traumatic) and chronic (overuse) injuries in a population of masters rowers with respect to their age subgroups and assess the association between injury occurrence and different training modalities, rowing experience, previous competition level, and current rowing practice. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 743 masters rowers who participated in the 34th International Federation of Rowing Associations (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron, FISA) World Rowing Masters Regatta held in Zagreb, September 2-9, 2007. A rowingspecific questionnaire was used, followed by an interview about the injuries sustained during the 12-month period before the competition. Results: The mean injury rate per year was 0.48 injuries/ masters rower (2.25 injuries/1000 training sessions/rower). The majority of injuries were chronic injuries (the ratio of acute to chronic injuries was 1:1.7), and did not lead to the loss of training/competition time. Of all acute injuries, 49.6% were acquired during rowing-specific training, 43.7% during cross-training, and 6.7% in the gym. The most commonly affected region was the low back (32.6%), followed by the knee (14.2%), shoulder/upper arm, and elbow (10.6% each). Conclusion: International masters rowers sustained predominantly chronic injuries of low severity, and the most commonly injured region was the low back. The mean injury rate per rower per year was lower than the rates previously reported for juniors and seniors.

Excessive metal femoral head wear has been described only as revision surgery complication after primary ceramic-on-ceramic total hip arthroplasty (THA). Here, we present the first case of metal femoral head wear after primary metal-on-polyethylene THA. A 56-year-old woman was referred to our outpatient clinic 17 years after primary right-sided THA, experiencing pain and decreased right hip range of motion. Radiographic examination revealed acetabular cup dislocation, eccentric femoral head wear, damaged titanium porous coating of femoral stem, metallosis, and pseudotumor formation. Endoprosthetic components were extracted, but further reconstruction was impossible due to presence of large acetabular bone defect. Macro- and micro-structure of extracted components were analyzed. Acetabular liner surface was damaged, with scratches, indentations, and embedded metal debris particles present on the entire inner surface. Analysis of metal debris by energy- dispersive spectroscopy showed that it consisted of titanium and stainless-steel particles. Femoral head was gravely worn and elliptically shaped, with abrasive wear visible under scanning electron microscope. No signs of trunnionosis at head/neck junction were observed. Microstructure of femoral head material was homogeneous austenitic, with microhardness of 145 HV 0.2, which is lower than previously described titanium hardness. In conclusion, detached titanium porous coating of femoral stem can cause stainless-steel femoral head wear in primary metal-on- polyethylene THA. As soon as such detachment becomes evident, revision surgery should be considered to prevent devastating complications.

Aim To estimate the frequency and localization of acute (traumatic) and chronic (overuse) injuries in a population of masters rowers with respect to their age subgroups and assess the association between injury occurrence and different training modalities, rowing experience, previous competition level, and current rowing practice. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 743 masters rowers who participated in the 34th International Federation of Rowing Associations (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron, FISA) World Rowing Masters Regatta held in Zagreb, September 2-9, 2007. A rowingspecific questionnaire was used, followed by an interview about the injuries sustained during the 12-month period before the competition. Results The mean injury rate per year was 0.48 injuries/ masters rower (2.25 injuries/1000 training sessions/rower). The majority of injuries were chronic injuries (the ratio of acute to chronic injuries was 1:1.7), and did not lead to the loss of training/competition time. Of all acute injuries, 49.6% were acquired during rowing-specific training, 43.7% during cross-training, and 6.7% in the gym. The most commonly affected region was the low back (32.6%), followed by the knee (14.2%), shoulder/upper arm, and elbow (10.6% each). Conclusion International masters rowers sustained predominantly chronic injuries of low severity, and the most commonly injured region was the low back. The mean injury rate per rower per year was lower than the rates previously reported for juniors and seniors.

This study presents a series of 13 patients who underwent peroneal tendoscopy as a solitary or accessory procedure at our department in 2013. Patients were clinically diagnosed with peroneal tendons disorders and underwent an additional radiological assessment. Peroneal tendoscopy was carried out in a standard manner before any other arthroscopic or open procedure. Postoperative management depended on the type of pathology. We found 3 peroneus brevis tendon partial tears, 4 cases of a low-lying peroneus brevis muscle belly, 5 cases of tenosynovitis, and 1 case of an intrasheath peroneal tendon subluxation. In 5 patients peroneal tendoscopy was performed as a solitary procedure and in 8 patients as an accessory procedure – together with anterior or posterior ankle arthroscopy, combined posterior and anterior ankle arthroscopy, or open surgery. Both as a solitary and accessory procedure, peroneal tendoscopy was safe and successful, ie, all patients were without any symptoms at one-year follow-up. Our series of patients showed that peroneal tendoscopy can be used both as an independent procedure as well as a valuable accessory procedure.

Aim To compare the overall and disease-specific mortality of Croatian male athletes who won one or more Olympic medals representing Yugoslavia from 1948 to 1988 or Croatia from 1992 to 2016, and the general Croatian male population standardized by age and time period. Methods All 233 Croatian male Olympic medalists were included in the study. Information on life duration and cause of death for the Olympic medalists who died before January 1, 2017, was acquired from their families and acquaintances. We asked the families and acquaintances to present medical documentation for the deceased. Data about the overall and disease-specific mortality of the Croatian male population standardized by age and time period were obtained from the Croatian Bureau of Statistics (CBS). Overall and disease-specific standard mortality ratios (SMR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated to compare the mortality rates of athletes and general population. Results Among 233 Olympic medalists, 57 died before the study endpoint. The main causes of death were cardiovascular diseases (33.3%), neoplasms (26.3%), and external causes (17.6%). The overall mortality of the Olympic medalists was significantly lower than that of general population (SMR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.94, P = 0.013). Regarding specific causes of death, athletes’ mortality from cardiovascular diseases was significantly reduced (SMR 0.61, 95% CI 0.38-0.93, P = 0.021). Conclusions Croatian male Olympic medalists benefit from lower overall and cardiovascular mortality rates in comparison to the general Croatian male population.