Return to play: making the tough decisions

A Framework for Clinicians to Improve the Decision-Making Process in Return to Sport

Return-to-sport (RTS) decisions are critical to clinical sports medicine and are often characterised by uncertainties, such as re-injury risk, time pressure induced by competition schedule and social stress from coaches, families and supporters. RTS decisions have implications not only for the health and performance of an athlete, but also the sports organisation. RTS decision-making is a complex process, which relies on evaluating multiple biopsychosocial factors, and is influenced by contextual factors. In this narrative review, we outline how RTS decision-making of clinicians could be evaluated from a decision analysis perspective. To begin with, the RTS decision could be explained as a sequence of steps, with a decision basis as the core component. We first elucidate the methodological considerations in gathering information from RTS tests. Second, we identify how decision-making frameworks have evolved and adapt decision-making theories to the RTS context. Third, we discuss the preferences and perspectives of the athlete, performance coach and manager. We conclude by proposing a framework for clinicians to improve the quality of RTS decisions and make recommendations for daily practice and research.

Using Normative Data and Unilateral Hopping Tests to Reduce Ambiguity in Return-to-Play Decisions

CONTEXT

After a lower extremity injury, patients often return to sport (RTS) when the injured limb's performance on unilateral hopping tests is similar to that of the uninjured limb. However, the exact target symmetry value patients must reach before the RTS is unclear.

OBJECTIVE

To identify variables that predict limb symmetry index (LSI) values on 6 unilateral hopping tests in healthy, physically active adults.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Research laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

In total, 275 healthy, physically active adults, consisting of recreational athletes (n = 198), National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I student-athletes (n = 56), and Army Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets (n = 21), volunteered to participate (143 men, 132 women, age = 20.16 ± 2.19 years, height = 172.66 ± 10.22 cm, weight = 72.64 ± 14.29 kg).

INTERVENTION(S)

Each participant completed 3 speed (6-m crossover-hop, side-hop, figure-8 hop) and 3 distance (triple-crossover-hop, lateral-hop, medial-hop) functional performance tests on both limbs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Mean performance of the dominant and nondominant limbs and LSI values. Two multiple regression models were used to find variables that might help to predict a participant's LSI for each functional performance test.

RESULTS

The models helped to predict limb symmetry for 10 of the 12 multiple regressions. Unilateral limb performance was the best predictor of LSI values, as it was statistically significant in 11 of the 12 regression models. Sex and body mass index were significant predictor variables for the side hop and figure-8 hop, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

We found significant predictor variables that clinicians can use in the absence of baseline testing to determine patient-specific LSI values. Individualizing RTS decisions in this way may help to minimize subjectivity in the decision-making process and ensure a safe and timely return to competition.

Hemophilia in Sports: A Case Report and Prophylactic Protocol

OBJECTIVE

 To describe a successful prophylactic protocol for managing an athlete with hemophilia playing at a high level of contact sports.

BACKGROUND

 Published data show that team physicians are not comfortable either treating athletes with bleeding disorders or allowing them to participate in contact sports. Much of the literature historically has recommended against allowing athletes with bleeding disorders to play sports at all and certainly against playing contact sports. Hemophilia treatment can now include prophylactic injections of recombinant factor VIII to prevent bleeding episodes. Modern treatments hold the promise of allowing athletes with hemophilia to participate in contact sports.

DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS

 Mild, moderate, or severe hemophilia; von Willebrand disease; other factor deficiencies.

TREATMENT

 A treatment protocol was developed that included prophylactic factor VIII injections on a regular basis and when the athlete was injured.

UNIQUENESS

 This is the first published case report of an athlete with known hemophilia being successfully treated and participating in National Collegiate Athletic Association collegiate basketball for 2 full seasons.

CONCLUSIONS

 Sports medicine teams can successfully manage an athlete with hemophilia playing a contact sport.

Return-to-play decisions: are they the team physician's responsibility?

OBJECTIVE

Return-to-play (RTP) decisions are a central component of the Team Physician's clinical work, yet there is little more than anecdotal reference to these in the literature. We recently published a 3-step model for return-to-play medical decision making and, in the current paper, undertook a systematic review of the literature to determine the level of evidence in support of this model.

DATA SOURCES

PubMed, Web of Science, and CINAHL electronic databases. Any article specifically related to concussion, head injuries, neck injuries, illness, medical conditions (including cardiovascular and renal), and preparticipation in sport or that reported RTP as a clinical outcome was excluded. Any article that contained a discussion on one of the components of the 3-step decision-based RTP model was included.

RESULTS

We reviewed 148 articles that met the criteria for inclusion and found 98 review articles, 39 original articles, 6 case reports, and 5 editorials. Of these, 141 articles mentioned Step 1 of the medical decision-making process for RTP (Medical Factors), 26 mentioned Step 2 (Sport Risk Modifiers), and 20 mentioned Step 3 (Decision Modifiers). Of the 148 articles in total, only 13 focused on RTP as the main subject and the remaining 135 mentioned RTP anecdotally. Of these 13 articles, 5 were reviews, 4 were editorials, and 4 were original research.

CONCLUSIONS

Although 148 articles we retrieved mention RTP in relation to a specific injury, medical condition, or specific topic, only 13 articles focused specifically on the RTP decision-making process, and 6 of 13 were restricted to Step 1 of the 3-step model (Medical Factors). Return-to-play is a fertile field for research and thought leadership beginning with a focus on the Team Physician's appropriate role in RTP decision making, particularly considering the factors identified in Step 3 (Decision Modification).