Sports Medicine Research: Current Studies

The UW Health Sports Medicine research program conducts timely, leading-edge research on a variety of issues for athletes of all ages.

Listed below are research studies currently being conducted at the UW Health Sports Medicine Center.

Long Term Outcomes of Knee Injuries in Physically Active Adolescent and Young Adult Females

Background: Female athletes participating in sports and fitness activities demonstrate a three- to six-times higher incidence of knee injuries than males. Research to date has focused on the incidence, mechanism and treatment options for these injuries. Previous studies on outcomes following knee injury have focused primarily on the effects of surgical techniques, and have included limited data (knee function) on adults and subjects with short (less than one year) follow-up.

Objective: To determine the outcomes of knee injury, including knee function, physical activity level and overall health in physically active adolescent and young adult females for two years following injury.

The Reliability and Responsiveness of the SANE Knee Outcome Scale in a Young Athletic Population

Principal Investigators: Greg Landry, MD; Tim McGuine, PhD, LAT

Background: There are many patient-based knee-rating scales available for the evaluation of patients' knee function. A drawback for many scales is that each is comprised of 18–42 questions and often require a unique (sometimes complex) scoring system to produce a summary score. In addition, most research on the psychometric properties of these instruments have been reported in general orthopedic patients 40 to 70 years of age. The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score is an orthopedic scale previously reported on adult subjects with regards to shoulder or ankle function. The SANE knee score is produced by a single unique question.

Objective: Determine the reliability and responsiveness of the SANE knee score in a cohort of adolescent athletes who have sustained a knee injury, and determine if the SANE knee score produces similar scores as other longer more complicated self-report knee and general health measures.

Pilot Study to Test Musculoskeletal Outcome Surveys in Young Athletes with Low Back Pain

Principal Investigator: Allison Brooks, MD

Background: Currently there is no available musculoskeletal outcome instrument designed to measure functional outcome in the adolescent athlete population with spondylolysis. However, there are reliable and valid instruments to measure functional outcomes in adult patients with chronic low back pain and after back surgery in addition to other joint-specific instruments, such as the knee and shoulder. This study would fill this gap with the development and evaluation of a musculoskeletal outcome instrument that is specific to young athletes with spondylolysis and is designed to assess pain, symptoms, activity limitations, sports/recreation and quality-of-life.

Objectives: To test previously validated adult musculoskeletal outcome measures in young athletes with low back pain.

The Reliability and Responsiveness of the SANE Shoulder Outcome Scale in a Young Athletic Population

Principal Investigators: John Orwin, MD; Tim McGuine, PhD, LAT

Background: There are many patient-based knee-rating scales available for the evaluation of patients' shoulder function. A drawback for many scales is that each is comprised of many questions and require a unique (sometimes complex) scoring system to produce a summary score. In addition, most research on the psychometric properties of these instruments have been reported in general orthopedic patients 40 to 70 years of age. The Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score is an orthopedic scale previously reported on adult subjects with regards to their shoulder function.

Objectives: Determine the reliability and responsiveness of the SANE shoulder score in a cohort of adolescent athletes who have sustained a shoulder injury, and determine if the SANE shoulder score produces similar scores as other longer, more complicated self-report knee and general health measures.

The Epidemiology of Female High School Volleyball Injuries

Principal Investigator: Tim McGuine, PhD, LAT

Background: Volleyball is a fast-paced sport that requires players to possess a unique combination of strength, conditioning and agility to be successful. Studies reporting injury rates in volleyball are often collected from retrospective studies, self-report questionnaires and emergency department visits. In addition they have focused on college, adult and club participants. A limited number of prospective studies have reported various estimates for the rate of injury in U.S. high school players. However, these studies reported only limited information regarding injury rates.

Objective: To examine the incidence, severity, mechanisms and risk factors for injuries in a cohort of female high school volleyball players.