New Ligament Discovered in Human Knee...No Biggie

Fascinating news out of Belgium...researchers have located and identified the existence of a new ligament within the knee.  The ALL or Anterolateral Ligament (seen here).  So why is this so interesting?  A phenomenon that many of us have experienced are those athletes who have trouble with stability AFTER successful ACL reconstruction.  The ligament is repaired, strength is full and equal bilaterally, and yet,  some athletes still experience occasions when their knee will "give way", or as we know it in our field,  the Pivot Shift. 


                                                                      Classic example of Pivot Shift Test

This issue of chronic, unpredictable knee instability presents numerous problems for those injured, and those responsible for rehabilitating them.  The identification of this ligament could potentially pave the way in terms of surgical techniques, rehabilitation, etc.  Very interesting stuff...I'm both baffled and impressed that a ligament has been "discovered" in 2013.    Kudos. 

Urinalysis via Smartphone?

Wow.  No other way to describe it.  While reading BBC online via my app this a.m., I came across this little treat:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-21586082

A couple of items which struck a chord with me:
1.  The term "consumer based health care".  I love this, and have been using it for years in my classes.  Be a savvy consumer; shop around, and collect information.  Never a bad thing at all.
2.  While the app won't be available until the end of March, and they discuss using it in developing countries, I think this could be incredibly useful in our country

Random Sidebar:  I love TED conferences.  Great info, and possibly the second most used app I use, behind Netflix of course.  If you haven't explored TED Talks yet, check them out here.  A good buddy of mine turned me onto them. 
While it's early yet, and nothing is completely substantiated, this could have a huge impact on urinalysis in the AT setting. Essentially, this has the potential to take our urinalysis test strips to the next level.   I surmise that most ATC's now own a smartphone (I could be wrong here, but it seems that way to me).  How easy would it be to download this app (at a marginal cost, mind you), and run the test strips!  This could make the referral and management process much smoother and more efficient.  

Athletic Trainer on the Mountain

Back when I was in graduate school (was that really 10 years ago?), I completed a project for an Administration course in which I mock "proposed" a fictional ski resort hire an athletic trainer.  My reasoning?  Concussions and Rehabilitation. Back in 2000, the only options a resort-goer may have is basic first aid, or a trip to a hospital.  Why not increase the standard of care on-site I say?! During the proposal, the question was posed if ski patrol should be threatened by the addition of another healthcare provider.  My response: absolutely not.  The ATC could have space near or in the base lodge; ski patrol could bring a skiier/boarder to them, or perhaps they may  have simple walk in visits.  And whom better to evaluate a concussion "in the field" or "on the slopes" than an ATC?  They could then make a referral and begin a well informed, injury management decision.  It seems to me that this would be a welcomed addition of services. 

Today's article in USA Today has brought all of this back to me.  I haven't been able to watch the documentary (apparently it will be on HBO later on), but here are a a few related clips which may help.

In fact, this idea might fit in quite nicely with the progression of interprofessional education and healthcare delivery.  

If you're interested in some good concussion stuff, check out the Head Games trailer here (the full movie is available if you have Netflix).

Back from a Looooooong Break

It's good to be back, both literally and figuratively; I just returned from Sochi, Russia working with our US Bobsled and Skeleton teams, and it was a tremendous experience, as always. Great to see the USBSF family.  To learn more about Bobsled & Skeleton, check out: http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-and-Skeleton-Federation.aspx   

A couple of quick hits to start the week:
This link comes via Kyle Gilson, Head Athletic Trainer at MCI.  Really interesting audio about the "Brain Bang Theory".  Check it out here, and weigh in!

Did you hear about the cut achilles tendon in the NHL?  Well, here's something I never knew existed...a sock designed to prevent such an injury from occurring.   Insight on that located here  and even more here.

Have a great Monday!