In our study, the aims were to describe the changes in the appearance of the lumbar spine on MRI in elite fast bowlers during a follow-up period of one year, and to determine whether these could be used to predict the presence of a stress fracture of the posterior elements. We recruited 28 elite fast bowlers with a mean age of 19 years (16 to 24) who were training and playing competitively at the start of the study. They underwent baseline MRI (season 1) and further scanning (season 2) after one year to assess the appearance of the lumbar intervertebral discs and posterior bony elements. The incidence of low back pain and the amount of playing and training time lost were also recorded.

In total, 15 of the 28 participants (53.6%) showed signs of acute bone stress on either the season 1 or season 2 MR scans and there was a strong correlation between these findings and the later development of a stress fracture (p < 0.001). The prevalence of intervertebral disc degeneration was relatively low. There was no relationship between disc degeneration on the season 1 MR scans and subsequent stress fracture. Regular lumbar MR scans of asymptomatic elite fast bowlers may be of value in detecting early changes of bone stress and may allow prompt intervention aimed at preventing a stress fracture and avoiding prolonged absence from cricket.

Aim: The clinical and radiological outcomes of a prospective randomised controlled trial comparing Femoral Ring Allografts (FRA) to Titanium Cages (TC) for circumferential fusion are presented.

Methods: Eighty-three patients were recruited fulfilling strict entry requirements (> 6 months chronic discogenic Low Back Pain (LBP), failure of conservative treatment, one or two level discographically-proven discogenic pain). Five patients were excluded on technical infringements (unable to insert TC or FRA). From 78 patients randomised, 37 received FRA and 41 received TC. Posterior stabilisation was achieved with translaminar or pedicle screws. Patients completed the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI), Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) for back and leg pain, the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) pre-operatively and 6, 12 and 24 months post-operatively. Assessment of fusion was made by a panel of 6 individuals examining radiographs taken at the same specified time points.

Results: Clinical outcomes were available for all 83 patients (mean follow-up 28 months, range 24–75). Baseline demographic data showed no statistical difference between groups (p< 0.05). For patients receiving FRA, mean VAS (back pain) improved 2.0 points (p< 0.01), mean ODI improved 15 points (p=< 0.01), and mean SF-36 scores improved by > 11 points in 6 of 8 domains (p< 0.03). For patients receiving TC, mean VAS improved 1.1 points (p=0.004), mean ODI improved 6 points (p=0.01), and SF-36 improved significantly in only two of eight domains. Revision procedures and complications were similar in both groups. For the FRA group, 27 levels were fused from a total of 42 assessed (64.2%). For the TC group, 33 levels were fused from a total of 55 assessed (60%). This difference was not statistically significant p> 0.2.

Conclusion: The use of FRA in circumferential lumbar fusion was associated with superior clinical outcomes when compared to those observed following the use of TC. Both groups had similar fusion rates.

Low back injuries account for the greatest loss of playing time for professional fast bowlers in cricket. Previous radiological studies have shown a high prevalence of degeneration of the lumbar discs and stress injuries of the pars interarticularis in elite junior fast bowlers. We have examined MRI appearance of the lumbar spines of 36 asymptomatic professional fast bowlers and 17 active control subjects. The fast bowlers had a relatively high prevalence of multi-level degeneration of the lumbar discs and a unique pattern of stress lesions of the pars interarticularis on the non-dominant side. The systems which have been used to classify the MR appearance of the lumbar discs and pars were found to be reliable. However, the relationship between the radiological findings, pain and dysfunction remains unclear.

Pyomyositis of the obturator muscles is a rare condition, characterised by pain in the hip and features of systemic infection. It may follow minor trauma to the hip, sometimes in the presence of an apparently innocuous infective source. All previously reported cases have been diagnosed conclusively on the initial CT or MR scan. We present a case of obturator pyomyositis in a 21-year-old football player in which the first MR scan was misleading. A radiolabelled, white blood cell scan was also negative and the resultant delay in diagnosis proved dangerous. The crucial importance of careful and repeated clinical examination is emphasised.

We studied prospectively 22 young athletes who had undergone surgical treatment for lumbar spondylolysis. There were 15 men and seven women with a mean age of 20.2 years (15 to 34). Of these, 13 were professional footballers, four professional cricketers, three hockey players, one a tennis player and one a golfer. Preoperative assessment included plain radiography, single positron-emission CT, planar bone scanning and reverse-gantry CT. In all patients the Oswestry disability index (ODI) and in 19 the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) scores were determined preoperatively, and both were measured again after two years in all patients. Three patients had a Scott’s fusion and 19 a Buck’s fusion.

The mean duration of back pain before surgery was 9.4 months (6 to 36). The mean size of the defect as determined by CT was 3.5 mm (1 to 8) and the mean preoperative and postoperative ODIs were 39.5 (sd 8.7) and 10.7 (sd 12.9), respectively. The mean scores for the physical component of the SF-36 improved from 27.1 (sd 5.1) to 47.8 (sd 7.7). The mean scores for the mental health component of the SF-36 improved from 39.0 (sd 3.9) to 55.4 (sd 6.3) with p < 0.001. After rehabilitation for a mean of seven months (4 to 10) 18 patients (82%) returned to their previous sporting activity.

Objective: To assess the clinical outcome and return to sport following surgical treatment of spondylolysis in young sporting individuals.

Design: A prospective outcome analysis of consecutive surgically treated cases of lumbar spondylolysis in young sporting individuals.

Subjects: Twenty-two young sports persons (15M: 7F) with a mean age of 20.2 years (range 15–34 years) were surgically treated for radiographically confirmed spondylolysis between 1994 and 1999. Eleven patients were professional footballers and four were professional cricketers. Pre operative assessment included plain X-rays, SPECT imaging with planar bone scan and reverse gantry CT scans. All subjects had pre-operative Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and SF36 scores recorded. Eighteen patients underwent Buck’s fusion and four patients underwent Scott’s fusion. A graduated exercise regime was commenced at 12 weeks. At two year follow-up nineteen patients had ODI and SF36 scores recorded.

Outcome Measures: The clinical outcome in individual patients supported by statistical analysis of the pre operative and post-operative data was performed using SPSS (ver 10). Return to the sporting activity at the previous level was regarded as a successful outcome.

Results: Eleven patients had bilateral spondylolysis at L5. Twenty patients had positive uptake on SPECT imaging and the remaining two were diagnosed to have lysis on CT scans alone. The average duration of back pain before the patients underwent surgery were 8.4 months (range 3–36 months). The mean lysis defect determined by CT was 3.5 mm (range 1–8 mm). The mean pre-operative and post-operative ODIs were 40.5 and 12.4 respectively (SEpreop = 2.06 and SEpostop = 3.05). The mean scores of physical health component of SF36 improved from 27.1 to 47.8 (SEmean = 1.1 and 1.7 respectively). The mean scores of mental health component of SF36 improved from 39.1 to 55.3 (SEmean = 0.9 and 1.4 respectively) [P < 0.001]. Eighteen patients returned to their previous active sporting career following an average of seven months of rehabilitation (range 4–10 months).

Conclusions: The surgical repair of bilateral spondylolysis with Buck’s fusion in professional sportsmen and women results in a significant improvement in Oswestry Disability scores (P< . 001) and in all domains of SF36 health questionnaire (P< . 001). 90% return to active sport seven months following surgery.

We describe an unusual injury to the upper cervical spine sustained during ejection from an aircraft. MRI provided an accurate and direct diagnosis of the severe ligamentous injuries.