Latest research findings on the reliability and accuracy of clinical tests to diagnose an ACL tear

Q: With regards to the tests for ACL tear, which is most reliable and/or accurate?

A: The 3 main clinical tests that are usually performed by therapists to diagnose an ACL tear include the Anterior Drawer test, Lachman test and Pivot Shift test. However the reliability and accuracy of these tests have been questioned. Here are the findings from three studies (Ostrowski 2006; Benjaminse et al 2006; Peeler et al 2010) regarding the reliability and accuracy of these tests.

Do musicians have different brains?

Does musical training reorganise the brain? What are the implications? 

An article published in Psychology Today, June 11, 2010

In the last twenty years, brain imaging studies have revealed that musical training has dramatic effects on the brain. Increases in gray matter (size and number of nerve cells) are seen, for example, in the auditory, motor, and visual spatial areas of the cerebral cortex of musicians.

Do you get wrist pain from typing or writing?

Q: "I get pain in my right hand near my wrist after long periods of typing and sometimes the area around my wrist (palm side) gets a bit swollen too.  What can I do to help the problem?"

A: This sounds like a case of "Occupational Overuse Syndrome" (OOS), or more commonly known as "Repetitive Strain Injury" (RSI). There is usually no discrete pathological cause for RSI - it is rather related to the overuse (and/or improper use) of particular areas of the body resulting in pain and/or other symptoms.

Shoulder Complex (Part III) - Anterior/Posterior/Multidirectional Dislocations & Exercise Rehabilitation

Traumatic Anterior Dislocation

Anterior Dislocation

Mechanism:

• Accounts for 75-95% of dislocations
• Forced abduction and external rotation of the shoulder (eg. basketball player attempting to block an overhead pass - watch video here)

Initial Presentation:

• Severe pain
• Lateral outline of shoulder flattened
• Possible bulge under acromion
• Possible nerve +/- vessel injury