Sports Medicine & Athletic Injuries Flashcards

A basketball player sustains an inversion ankle sprain. Which ligament is most commonly injured in a lateral ankle sprain?

Answer: Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL)

The ATFL is the weakest and most commonly injured lateral ankle ligament, typically sprained by a combination of plantarflexion and inversion forces.

Which criterion is most commonly used to guide return-to-sport clearance following ACL reconstruction?

Answer: Limb symmetry index ≥90% on quadriceps strength and hop testing

A limb symmetry index (LSI) of ≥90% on quadriceps strength testing and functional hop tests is a widely used evidence-based benchmark before return-to-sport after ACL reconstruction.

A competitive swimmer presents with anterior shoulder pain and weakness on resisted abduction and external rotation at 90 degrees. The most likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Rotator cuff tendinopathy with subacromial impingement

Overhead athletes commonly develop rotator cuff tendinopathy and subacromial impingement due to repetitive overhead motion; the pattern of weakness in abduction and external rotation implicates the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.

Which classification system is used to grade acromioclavicular (AC) joint injuries based on the degree of ligamentous disruption and clavicle displacement?

Answer: Rockwood classification

The Rockwood classification (Types I–VI) is the current standard for grading AC joint injuries, expanding on Allman's original three-grade system to include posterior and inferior clavicular displacements.

A runner develops medial tibial stress syndrome (shin splints). Which initial conservative intervention is most appropriate?

Answer: Relative rest, activity modification, and load management

The first-line treatment for medial tibial stress syndrome is relative rest with reduction of high-impact loading, combined with cross-training, biomechanical assessment, and gradual return to running.

Which clinical test has demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for detecting a meniscal tear when performed at 20 degrees of knee flexion?

Answer: Thessaly test

The Thessaly test, performed with the patient standing on one leg at 20 degrees of knee flexion and rotating the body, has shown high sensitivity and specificity for meniscal tears compared to McMurray and Apley tests.

A tennis player presents with lateral elbow pain that is reproduced by resisted wrist extension and third finger extension. The most likely diagnosis is:

Answer: Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

Lateral epicondylitis involves tendinopathy of the extensor carpi radialis brevis origin at the lateral epicondyle; pain with resisted wrist extension and third finger extension are hallmark clinical findings.