Baseline Testing for Musculoskeletal Injuries

Baseline Testing: Obtain the Data Before Injury Strikes

In the last few years, concussions have become the hot topic in athletic health care. Baseline testing has been implemented in many high schools, colleges, and professional teams prior to the start of the athletic season. Testing involves a computer based exam that measures cognitive functions such visual memory, verbal memory and reaction time. The objective data is compiled and saved. If an athlete sustains a head injury (concussion) during the season, he/she must repeat the test.  Objective, quantitative post-concussion results are then be compared to the pre-concussion results. This aids athletic trainers and physicians in determining if the athlete has fully recovered from the head injury and if the athlete can safely return to play.

Why Objective Data is Important

Obtaining objective, quantitative data allow health care providers to confirm subjective findings. Many athletes are driven to get back onto the playing field. Often times, they are even willing to jeopardize their health in order to return to play. Therefore, they will tell their health care provider “I am fine. I feel great. I am ready to return to play.” This subjective information is relative. Yes, they may feel better compared to yesterday, but do they feel better compared to the pre-injury date?  This is why we need objective data that can be cross-examined.

Depending on the source, roughly 400,000-500,000 concussions occur each year. However, according American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, there were 132 million physician visits for musculoskeletal symptoms in 2006.  To me, the question arises what can we do as health care providers to baseline test for musculoskeletal injuries? After injury, athletes go through rehabilitation process which involves taking measurements (objective data) for range of motion and strength. However, what are those numbers compared to? The uninvolved side? The textbook “norms?” Not to mention, these numbers are obtained post-injury –when body will compensate and skew the data.

Possible Solution

What I am proposing is baseline testing athletes prior to
injury. Let’s test athletes, prior to the start of their season. If injury
occurs, we will have empirical data to compare to throughout the rehabilitation
program. This will ensure full strength and range of motion has been restored
and return to play can safely be implemented. By being proactive and baseline
testing, we may find imbalances in your kinematic sequence that may predispose
you to injury. To increase your chances of staying healthy and out of the
doctor’s office, all you will need to do is make adjustments in your strength
and conditioning program.   

Implementation

If you are an athlete and/or a weekend warrior, come in to
Performance Spine and Sports Medicine for your baseline test. We will have you
perform sport specific motions, record the data on our Performance 3D or
Optogait systems and save it for future reference. Be proactive with your
health!