Sports Medicine
Core concepts
Sports medicine tests the athlete's functional demands and the biology of healing. Master the ACL: mechanism, examination (Lachman, pivot shift), and reconstruction principles (graft choice, tunnel placement, rehabilitation). Know meniscal injury: repair versus meniscectomy, and the role of the root tear. Understand shoulder instability in throwers and the SLAP lesion. Review patellofemoral pain and instability, and the role of the MPFL. Know tendon injuries (Achilles, rotator cuff, patellar) and the principles of return to play. Also cover concussion management and the graduated return-to-sport protocol, and the difference between tendinopathy and tendinosis.
Traps
The common trap is overdiagnosing a SLAP tear in a thrower; many are asymptomatic. Another is missing a meniscal root tear, which behaves like a total meniscectomy and accelerates arthritis. Examiners also test that ACL reconstruction does not prevent arthritis and that return to sport depends on functional testing, not time alone.
Rule of thumb
In a young athlete with a meniscal tear, repair if the tear is in the vascular zone; preserve meniscus whenever possible.
Worked example
A 20-year-old soccer player with a pivot-shift and a positive Lachman: ACL tear; counsel on reconstruction with rehabilitation and functional return-to-sport testing before clearance.