Faculty Bibliography

We performed an epidemiologic survey to estimate the number of grip lock injuries occurring among male high school and college gymnasts. These injuries occur when dowel grips used by the gymnast become locked on the bar as the gymnast's momentum carries him through the skill being performed. We also questioned injured gymnasts to obtain details of their injuries. Thirty-eight high school coaches reported 17 injuries and 32 college coaches reported 21 injuries for a 10-year period; 36% of the coaches responding reported at least one such injury in their program. Of the 23 injured gymnasts who returned detailed questionnaires, 20 had sustained fractures and 9 required surgery. The distal forearm or wrist were the areas injured most often. Fourteen gymnasts had residual pain, seven had functional limitations, and eight had limited motion in the wrist. Fifteen of the 23 athletes were using a cubital (hyperpronated) grip at the time of injury and 19 were using dowel grips. Among the reasons cited for the injury, 18 gymnasts thought that their grips were either too large, worn, or stretched; 8 said the grips slid up their wrists, and 7 cited technical errors

The role of arthroscopic procedures in the management of glenohumeral stability continues to evolve. Arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorrhaphy, as described, is an effective alternative for correcting the pathology of anterior and anteroinferior shoulder instability. The procedure avoids the morbidity associated with open repairs as a result of anterior soft tissue dissection and division of the subscapularis. The procedure, however, is technically demanding. To achieve predictable and reproducible results that approach those seen in comparable patient populations undergoing open Bankart stabilization, recognition of, and addressing, the responsible pathology is essential, as is appropriate patient selection. Based upon experience to date, arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorraphy is best indicated for traumatic anterior dislocators with a Bankart lesion and good quality glenohumeral ligaments. Arthroscopic suture capsulorrhaphy is not recommended for patients involved in upper extremity collision sports, those with a large glenoid rim defect, habitual luxators, patients younger than 18 years of age, and for surgeons whose experience with operative arthroscopy of the shoulder is limited. The procedure has an unresolved role, due to lack of sufficient long-term data in acute dislocations, multidirectional instability, those with previously failed open or arthroscopic repairs, and those with generalized joint hyperlaxity. The eventual role of arthroscopic transglenoid suture capsulorrhaphy in the treatment of anterior shoulder instability awaits further studies and technological innovation