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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2005; 09(4): 302-315
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-923376
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Mechanisms and Imaging of Football-Related Injuries

Niku P. Wasudev1 , Charles P. Ho1
  • 1National Orthopedic Imaging Associates, California Advanced Imaging at Atherton, Atherton, California
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Publication History

Publication Date:
29 November 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

American football is a cutting/pivoting contact sport with high-speed and high-energy collisions among players on every play during games and training or practice. Although there have been constant rules and equipment changes in an attempt to limit the frequency of injuries, the incidence of musculoskeletal injuries remains high at every level of play in this sport. Imaging plays an important role in managing these players by helping in making an accurate diagnosis as well as guiding therapy and monitoring response to treatment. This article describes the major mechanisms and patterns of injury seen in these athletes, with a discussion of how imaging, primarily magnetic resonance imaging, assists the team physician in choosing a conservative versus surgical approach to recovery and return to play.

KEYWORDS

Football injuries - magnetic resonance imaging - mechanisms - shoulder - knee

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Charles P HoM.D. Ph.D. 

California Advanced Imaging at Atherton

3301 El Camino Real, Suite 100, Atherton, CA 94027

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