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Background: Anconeus compartment syndrome is a rarely reported compartment syndrome in the anconeus muscle compartment of the forearm. It has anatomic and pathophysiological associations with posterolateral rotatory instability (PLRI) of the elbow. Purpose: To present the history, management, and outcomes of 4 patients with anconeus compartment syndrome. Secondary aims were to (1) establish normative anconeus pressures and (2) measure the volume of this compartment with and without PLRI in cadavers. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Four patients with clinical signs of anconeus compartment syndrome (2 gymnasts, 1 swimmer, and 1 footballer/weightlifter) were identified over a 3-year period (2015-2017 inclusive). Patient history, sporting activity, physical examination, anconeus compartment pressures, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Manometry of the anconeus compartment in 2 healthy male controls was performed to establish normative compartment pressures. Anconeus volumetric anatomy and the effect of creating PLRI on compartment volume was investigated in 4 cadaveric elbows. Results: All 4 patients had microtraumatic PLRI, and 2 patients had anconeus hypertrophy. Anconeus compartment pressures at rest and at 2-minutes postexercise were median 28.0 and 67.5 mm Hg, respectively, in the patients and mean 16.5 and 18 mm Hg, respectively, in the controls. Simultaneous fasciotomy and PLRI reconstructive procedures were performed in 2 patients, with outcomes showing full return to competition. Fasciotomy alone was performed in 2 patients to allow return to competition, with both requiring later reconstruction to address PLRI. Cadaver dissection revealed that the anconeus compartment was extremely small and that creation of PLRI reduced the direct volume of the compartment and increased the distance between the anconeus origin and insertion. Conclusion: Our case series demonstrated that anconeus compartment syndrome can occur in upper limb-dominant athletes in the presence of PLRI and anconeus hypertrophy. Pain is relieved by fasciotomy, but definitive treatment of the underlying instability prevents further symptomatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our purpose in this study was to examine the effects of using goggles and snorkel during a learn-to-swim program on the aquatic skills of young non-swimmers with fear of water. 40 children volunteered to participate in the study and were randomly divided into two groups: one that used goggles and snorkel (GS) and one that did not (NGS). After four weeks (five sessions per week) of learn-to-swim interventions, both groups improved aquatic skills, but improvements in water entry, back gliding, and prone swimming were greater for the GS than for the NGS group. In contrast, the intervention effect on a blowing bubbles skill was smaller for the GS than for the NGS group. Thus, the use of goggles appears to be more beneficial in a learn to swim program for young swimmers with a fear of water than not using goggles for all lessons other than blowing bubbles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Knowledge of predictors for shoulder pain in swimmers can assist professionals working with the athlete in developing optimal prevention strategies. However, study methodology and limited available data have constrained a comprehensive understanding of which factors cause shoulder pain. Purpose: To investigate risk factors and develop and internally validate a multivariable prognostic model for the prediction of shoulder pain in swimmers. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 2. Methods: A total of 201 pain-free club- to international-level competitive swimmers were followed for 2 consecutive seasons. The cohort consisted of 96 male (mean ± SD age, 13.9 ± 2.2 years) and 105 female (13.9 ± 2.2 years) swimmers. Demographic, sport-specific, and musculoskeletal characteristics were assessed every 6 months. Swim-training exposure was observed prospectively. Shoulder pain interfering with training was the primary outcome. Multiple imputation was used to cope with missing data. The final model was estimated using multivariable logistic regression. We applied bootstrapping to internally validate the model and correct for overoptimism. Results: A total of 42 new cases of shoulder pain were recorded during the study. Average duration of follow-up was 1.1 years. Predictors included in the final model were acute:chronic workload ratio (odds ratio [OR], 4.31; 95% CI, 1.00-18.54), competitive level (OR, 0.19; 95% CI, 0.06-0.63), shoulder flexion range of motion, posterior shoulder muscle endurance (OR, 0.96; 95% CI, 0.92-0.99), and hand entry position error (OR, 0.37; 95% CI, 0.16-0.91). After internal validation, this model maintained good calibration and discriminative power (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.71; 95% CI, 0.60-0.94). Conclusion: Our model consists of parameters that are readily measurable in a swimming setting, allowing the identification of swimmers at risk for shoulder pain. Multivariable logistic regression showed the strongest predictors for shoulder pain were regional competitive swimming level, acute:chronic workload ratio, posterior shoulder muscle endurance, and hand entry error. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Shoulder injuries are common among competitive swimmers, and the progression of shoulder pathology is not well understood. The objective of this study was to assess the extent to which years of competitive swim training were associated with physical properties of the supraspinatus muscle and tendon, shoulder strength, and self-reported assessments of shoulder pain and function.Hypothesis: Increasing years of competition will be associated with declining physical properties of the supraspinatus muscle/tendon and declining self-reported assessments of pain and function.Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study.Level Of Evidence: Level 4.Methods: After institutional approval, 18 collegiate female swimmers enrolled in the study. For each swimmer, supraspinatus tendon thickness was measured; tendinosis was assessed using ultrasound imaging, supraspinatus muscle shear wave velocity was assessed using shear wave elastography, isometric shoulder strength was measured using a Biodex system, and self-reported assessments of pain/function were assessed using the Western Ontario Rotator Cuff (WORC) score. All subjects were tested before the start of the collegiate swim season. Linear regression was used to assess the association between years of competition and the outcome measures.Results: Years of participation was positively associated with tendon thickness ( P = 0.01) and negatively associated with shear wave velocity ( P = 0.04) and WORC score ( P < 0.01). Shoulder strength was not associated with years of participation ( P > 0.39).Conclusion: Long-term competitive swim training is associated with declining measures of supraspinatus muscle/tendon properties and self-reported measures of pain and function. Although specific injury mechanisms are still not fully understood, these findings lend additional insight into the development of rotator cuff pathology in swimmers.Clinical Relevance: Lengthy swimming careers may lead to a chronic condition of reduced mechanical properties in the supraspinatus muscle and tendon, thereby increasing the likelihood of rotator cuff pathology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that treated suprascapular neuropathy with arthroscopic neurolysis release of the suprascapular notch ligament. The study was conducted on elite swimmers with suprascapular neuropathy, who are commonly found with shoulder pain. Arthroscopic shoulder exploration and suprascapular nerve release were performed on patients and reports were evaluated using electromyography (EMG). It proved the treatment useful in entrapment and neuropathy of the suprascapular nerve.

Context: Competitive swimming has become an increasingly popular sport in the United States. In 2007, more than 250 000 competitive swimmers were registered with USA Swimming, the national governing body. The average competitive swimmer swims approximately 60 000 to 80 000 m per week. With a typical count of 8 to 10 strokes per 25-m lap, each shoulder performs 30 000 rotations each week. This places tremendous stress on the shoulder girdle musculature and glenohumeral joint, and it is why shoulder pain is the most frequent musculoskeletal complaint among competitive swimmers.Evidence Acquisition: Articles were obtained through a variety of medical search sources, including Medline, Google Scholar, and review articles from 1980 through January 2010.Results: The most common cause of shoulder pain in swimmers is supraspinatus tendinopathy. Glenohumeral instability and labral tears have also been reported, but a paucity of information remains regarding prevalence and treatment in swimmers.Conclusion: Because of the great number of stroke repetitions and force generated through the upper extremity, the shoulder is uniquely vulnerable to injury in the competitive swimmer. Comprehensive evaluation should include the entire kinetic chain, including trunk strength and core stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the last 25 years, it is estimated that over 42,000 male and female swimmers have competed at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I-A level. Despite the magnitude of these numbers, little is known about the epidemiology of collegiate swimming injuries. Purpose: To describe the pattern of injuries incurred for one NCAA Division I collegiate men's and women's swimming team over 5 seasons. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: Musculoskeletal and head injuries reported in the Sports Injury Management System for a Division I swimming team from 2002-2007 were identified. Gender, body part, year of eligibility, position, stroke specialty, scholarship status, and team activity during which the injury occurred and lost time were recorded. Risk of injury was assessed relative to gender, stroke specialty, and year of eligibility. Results: From 2002-2007, 44 male and 50 female athletes competed for the University of Iowa swimming and diving team. The overall injury rates were estimated as 4.00 injuries per 1000 exposures for men and 3.78 injuries per 1000 exposures for women. Thirty-seven percent of injuries resulted in missed time. The shoulder/upper arm was the most frequently injured body part followed by the neck/back. Freshman swimmers suffered the most injuries as well as the highest mean number of injuries per swimmer. A significant pattern of fewer injuries in later years of eligibility was also demonstrated. The relative risk (RR) for injury was higher among nonfreestyle stroke specialties (RR, 1.33 [1.00-1.77]). Injury most often occurred as a result of, or during, practice for all swimmers. However, 38% of injuries were the result of team activities outside of practice or competition, such as strength training. No significant relationship was found between occurrence of injury and gender or scholarship status. There was no significant relationship between body part injured and stroke specialty. An increased number of total injuries and an increased risk of injuries in freshman collegiate swimmers were found. Conclusion: Particular attention should be given to swimmers making the transition into collegiate level swimming. These data also suggest that injury surveillance and potential prevention strategies should focus on the shoulder for in-pool activities and the axial spine for cross-training activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods: The authors conducted a survey of 296 competitive swimmers to assess the incidence and importance of interfering groin pain in breaststroke swimmers. Results: Breaststroke swimmers were more likely to have current groin pain (6.92%) than individual medley swimmers who did not compete in pure breaststroke events (0, P = 0.015). Breaststroke swimmers (42.7%) were also more likely than individual medley swimmers (21.5%, P = 0.000622) or nonbreaststroke, nonindividual medley swimmers (5.8%, p = 0.00000311) to have been unable to train breaststroke in practice during the past year due to groin injury. Conclusion: Results indicate that breaststroke swimmers are at significant risk of groin injury, groin injury is positively correlated with increased magnitude of breaststroke training, and groin injury may prevent participation in practices and competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case study on bilateral compression syndrome of the radial nerve at the lateral head of the triceps muscle of elite female swimmers. Analysis on the complaints of the patient; Information on compression syndromes; Diagnosis; Treatment.

Presents a study designed to look for a correlation between significant interfering shoulder pain in senior national and elite swimmers and a shoulder laxity score that was weighted for clinical signs of instability. How clinical examinations were performed; Clinical shoulder examination scoring protocol; Implications of the study's findings for swimmer and coach.

Conducts a questionnaire survey on 1,262 United States swimmers: 993 age group, 198 senior development, and 71 national team athletes, in order to evaluate the prevalence of shoulder pain. Materials and methods; Results; Discussion.