PROJECT PARTNERS
None
FUNDING
None
BACKGROUND
An increasing number of young athletes are encouraged to specialize in a single sport at a young age. Especially elite-athletes are involved in intensive training schedules, exposing the musculoskeletal system to excessive repetitive stress. The most vulnerable structure in the musculoskeletal system of young athletes is the cartilaginous growth plate. As a result, injuries of this growth plate are prevalent.
Although the exact effect of growth plate injuries is uncertain, some studies have linked physeal injuries to long term effects as growth disturbances. Accurate assessment of the growth plate is therefore important to prevent long-term side effects or injuries, and ensure long-term healthy sport participation. However, extensive loading of the musculoskeletal system can result in a changing appearance of the musculoskeletal system on diagnostic images, even in healthy athletes. As these appearance changes can reflect adaptations of the athlete’s body, these changes should not be interpreted as pathology in order to prevent unnecessary sport cessation.
Many studies have focused on the appearance of the injured upper extremity; however, the appearance of the healthy athlete’s wrist, elbow and shoulder is less well established.
OBJECTIVES
The aim of the study is to develop an imaging based strategy for the early detection and accurate evaluation of the presence and severity of injuries of the growth plates in the upper extremity. In order to achieve this, new methods that can be valuable in the diagnostic workup of physeal injuries are tested in elite gymnasts that are involved in extensive wrist-loading. This analysis is done by evaluating MR images of the wrist both morphologically and quantitatively.