ABFM Sports Medicine flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

Ottawa Ankle Rules

Radiographs are indicated only with malleolar-zone pain plus bone tenderness at the posterior distal 6 cm of either malleolus or inability to bear weight four steps.

Thompson test

Squeezing the calf with the patient prone should produce plantarflexion; absence of movement indicates Achilles tendon rupture and warrants urgent orthopedic evaluation.

Femoral neck stress fracture

Deep groin pain worsened by hip rotation and weight bearing; MRI is the imaging study of choice when plain radiographs are normal.

ACL injury mechanism

Noncontact deceleration with knee valgus and internal tibial rotation is the most common cause; rapid hemarthrosis suggests an intra-articular injury.

Commotio cordis

A blunt precordial blow during cardiac repolarization triggers ventricular fibrillation; immediate cardiopulmonary resuscitation and defibrillation are the definitive interventions.

Exertional heat stroke

Core temperature above 40°C with central nervous system dysfunction; cold-water immersion is the priority treatment and should precede transport to the hospital.

Exercise-associated collapse

Most commonly caused by postural blood pooling after exercise; if the athlete does not improve supine with legs elevated, evaluate for heat stroke and cardiac causes.

Mononucleosis return to play

Splenic rupture risk peaks in weeks two through four; most guidelines restrict collision and contact activity for at least four weeks and until symptoms resolve.

Karvonen formula

Target heart rate equals (maximal heart rate minus resting heart rate) multiplied by the desired intensity fraction, plus resting heart rate.

MET definition

One metabolic equivalent equals 3.5 milliliters of oxygen per kilogram per minute; moderate activity is 3 to 5.9 METs and vigorous is 6 or more.

Heat acclimatization

Ten to fourteen days of progressive heat exposure expands plasma volume and lowers sweat sodium; benefits decay within one to two weeks after exposure stops.

Detraining timeline

Measurable declines in maximal oxygen uptake begin within about two weeks of bed rest; strength losses generally lag behind endurance losses.

Spine immobilization on field

Manual in-line stabilization with log-roll or scoop transfer; football helmets and shoulder pads are removed together or left together to preserve spinal alignment.

Anaphylaxis epinephrine dose

Intramuscular epinephrine 0.3 to 0.5 milligrams of 1:1000 concentration into the mid-anterolateral thigh, repeated every 5 to 15 minutes as needed.

Lightning 30-30 rule

Suspend play when the flash-to-thunder interval is under 30 seconds and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder before resuming activity.

Exertional hyponatremia

Suspect with confusion, vomiting, or seizure in an athlete who overconsumed fluids; treat with hypertonic saline rather than free water.

AHA 14-point screen

Preparticipation history and physical elements targeting exertional chest pain, syncope, dyspnea, murmurs, blood pressure, and family history of premature cardiac death.

PPE clearance categories

Athletes are cleared, cleared with restrictions, not cleared pending further evaluation, or disqualified; restrictions should be documented in the record.

Sickle cell screening

Sickle cell status should be known before participation; exertional sickling precautions apply to athletes with sickle cell trait and disease alike.

Dynamic cardiac auscultation

Auscultating while the patient stands and squats changes venous return and loading, helping distinguish benign flow murmurs from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy murmurs.

Criterion-based return to play

Clearance depends on pain-free motion, strength at least 90% of the uninvolved side, and sport-specific function rather than a fixed number of days.

Tissue healing phases

Inflammation lasts up to about seven days, proliferation one to four weeks, and remodeling weeks to months; loading should match the phase's tolerance.

Blood flow restriction training

Low-load resistance exercise with cuff occlusion builds strength when high loads are contraindicated; avoid in patients with a history of venous thromboembolism.

Concussion return-to-sport steps

A stepwise exertion progression with at least 24 hours per step; if symptoms recur, the athlete returns to the prior asymptomatic step.

Protein needs for athletes

Athletes generally need 1.2 to 2.0 grams per kilogram per day, consumed in 20 to 40 gram doses distributed across the day.

Creatine monohydrate

Three to five grams daily increases phosphocreatine availability and lean mass; it is not associated with harm in healthy adults.

Caffeine ergogenic dose

Three to six milligrams per kilogram about 60 minutes before exercise improves endurance performance; higher doses add side effects without added benefit.

Beta-alanine supplementation

Three and a half to six and a half grams daily for four or more weeks raises muscle carnosine and benefits one- to four-minute high-intensity efforts; paresthesia is common.

Female athlete triad

Low energy availability, menstrual dysfunction, and low bone mineral density; treatment begins with restoring energy availability and screening for disordered eating.

Apophysitis in adolescents

Traction apophysitis such as Osgood-Schlatter or Sever disease occurs during growth spurts and is managed with load modification rather than complete rest.

Return-to-play legal record

Documenting examination findings, functional test results, and the rationale for clearance or restriction creates the legal record of the decision.

Emergency action plan

A written, rehearsed, site-specific plan defining roles, equipment location, and emergency medical services activation, reviewed at least annually.