Sports Medicine & Athletic Injuries Flashcards

Which special test is considered most specific for diagnosing an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear?

Answer: Lachman test

The Lachman test is performed at 20-30 degrees of knee flexion and has the highest sensitivity and specificity for ACL tears compared to the anterior drawer test.

According to the Ottawa Ankle Rules, which finding indicates the need for ankle radiographs?

Answer: Inability to bear weight both immediately after injury and in the clinic

The Ottawa Ankle Rules indicate X-rays are needed if the patient cannot bear weight (4 steps) immediately after injury and in the ED/clinic, or if there is bone tenderness at specific bony landmarks.

A baseball pitcher presents with posterior shoulder pain and a clicking sensation during the late cocking phase of throwing. Which condition is most likely?

Answer: Superior labrum anterior to posterior (SLAP) lesion

SLAP lesions commonly occur in overhead athletes due to the traction and compression forces placed on the superior labrum during the late cocking phase of throwing.

Which muscle is primarily responsible for dynamic patellar stabilization and is a common focus of rehabilitation for patellofemoral dysfunction?

Answer: Vastus medialis oblique (VMO)

The VMO pulls the patella medially and is critical for dynamic patellar stabilization; weakness relative to the vastus lateralis contributes to lateral patellar tracking dysfunction.

A football player sustains a direct blow to the lateral knee with the foot planted. Which ligament is most likely injured by this valgus-producing force?

Answer: Medial collateral ligament (MCL)

A direct blow to the lateral knee with the foot planted creates a valgus stress that places the medial collateral ligament under tension, making it the most commonly injured structure.

What is the most common mechanism of Achilles tendon rupture in middle-aged recreational athletes?

Answer: Sudden eccentric load during push-off with the knee extended

Achilles tendon ruptures most commonly occur during sudden push-off activities (e.g., lunging in racquet sports) when the gastrocnemius-soleus complex is loaded eccentrically with the knee extended.

Which clinical test is the primary assessment for posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) integrity?

Answer: Posterior drawer test

The posterior drawer test, performed with the knee at 90 degrees of flexion, directly stresses the PCL and is the gold standard clinical test for PCL integrity.