Knee Pads Research Articles

Injury pattern and acceptance of passive and active injury prophylaxis for inline skating.

In a field study the injury pattern as well as the active and passive injury prophylaxis of 1036 inline skaters were evaluated. Of them, 60% had already been injured. Every 124 h an injury occurred during inline skating. While 61% of the injuries affected only soft tissue, 31% were joint distorsions, and 8% were fractures. Altogether 37% of the 626 injured skaters required medical treatment. The upper extremities are especially at risk: 78% of the fractures and 48% of the distorsions affected the fingers, wrist, forearm or elbow. It is obvious that the inline skaters' passive prophylaxis measures are still unsatisfactory. Only 17% of the questioned used complete protection, whereas 16% were wearing no protective gear at all. Of the rest, 49% were skating with wrist guards, 66% were using knee pads, and 31% elbow pads. A high percentage of injuries is due to the lack of basic knowledge and techniques. The survey revealed that only 24% can stop immediately. While 51% had only slight problems with braking, 16% admitted having great difficulties, and 7% were not able to brake at all. These numbers reveal that there are still large deficits regarding braking techniques and education on the risks of injury. Therefore, athletes who use this equipment for the first time should learn the basic techniques of skating, braking and falling with the help of a qualified instructor. Most of all those questioned wanted to have more information, and half would be interested in special educational programmes.

IN-LINE SKATERS: A SURVEY OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT USE, REASONS FOR NON-USE AND INJURIES 1543

The goal of this project was to survey in-line skaters to determine the use of protective equipment, reasons for not using protective equipment and prevalence of injury. The survey included 151 female and 162 male skaters with an average age of 24.7 ± 9.9 years. They had been skating for 2.4± 1.8 years. Skaters self-rated their ability levels as beginner (72 skaters), beginning- intermediate (58), intermediate (96), advanced-intermediate (47) and advanced (17). Frequency of skating was daily for 21%, weekly for 43% and irregularly for 36%. Of the skaters surveyed, 89% owned skates, 26% helmets (Helm), 59% wrist guards (WG), 32% elbow pads (EP) and 51% knee pads (KP). Protective equipment was worn the majority of the time in the following proportions of skaters: WG - 51%, KP - 36%, EP - 15% and Helm- 15%. Variables which increased the likelihood of protective equipment usage included increased frequency of skating (p< 0.01) and having friends who wore protective equipment (p< 0.01). Variables which decreased the likelihood of protective equipment usage included advancing level of skating proficiency (p< 0.03). Reasons cited for not using protective equipment included: felt to be unnecessary (90%), uncomfortable (60%), disliked appearance (18%) and cost (19%). Previous injuries had occurred in 26% of the skaters; 14% of these fractures. The knee (31%) was the most common location of injury followed by the elbow (17.6%) and the wrist (17.6%). Risk factors for injury correlated with being male, increased frequency of skating and higher level of skating ability. Skaters who had been injured were less likely to cite “no need” or “uncomfortable” as reasons not to wear protective equipment. However, the previously injured skaters appeared no more likely that the uninjured skater to wear protective equipment.

Cycle safety among infant school children

Describes a small investigation into cycle safety with Key Stage 1 pupils. The investigation used the draw and write technique to find out what children in years 1 and 2 knew about safety in relation to riding bicycles. Finds that many children were aware of the need to wear a cycle helmet, and that some wrote about the need to wear knee pads, arm bands or special clothes. Suggests that a session such as that described could provide a useful way to work about keeping safe outdoors, road safety, protective clothing or safe behaviour, or as a useful one‐off session before a school holiday.

Skateboarding injuries.

Skateboarding has experienced intermittent periods of popularity since the 1960s. Along with this popularity, there have been concomitant increases in numerous types of injuries. Most documented cases occur in boys aged from 10 to 14 years, with injuries ranging from minor cuts and abrasions to multiple fractures and, in some cases, even death. Although head injuries account for approximately 3.5 to 9% of all skateboarding injuries, fractures of both upper and lower extremities account for 50% of all musculoskeletal trauma. Not surprising is the fact that 33% of those injured on skateboards are injured within the first week of skateboarding. Most individuals experience some form of trauma during the initial attempt at skateboarding. Because of the nature of skateboarding, encompassing both high speed and extreme manoeuvres, injuries often occur when the skateboarder collides with an immovable object, falls from the skateboard or is involved in vehicular traffic. Most injuries occur when the skateboard strikes an irregularity in the riding surface, projecting the skateboarder in the direction of travel. Despite traffic legislation, 65% of injured adolescent skateboarders sustain injuries on public roads, on footpaths, and in parking lots. Several organisations have recommended safety guidelines and restrictions based on age and common sense. Use of a helmet, knee and elbow pads, and wrist guards should be required of all skateboarders, as well as some type of formal education. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 5 years of age should not be allowed to ride skateboards. At an early age, injuries occur due to several reasons. These include high centre of mass, immature skeletal development, an undeveloped neuromuscular system, and simply poor judgement. Skateboarding injuries are expected to rise with the increasing number of participants, high-tech equipment development and renewed advertising. Although limited preventative measures exist which will totally eradicate skateboarding trauma, some thought to actual restrictions may decrease the incidence and severity of injuries.

Risk factors for injuries from in-line skating and the effectiveness of safety gear.

Of the estimated 22.5 million people participating in in-line skating in the United States in 1995, about 100,000 were sufficiently injured so as to require emergency department care. We investigated the effectiveness of wrist guards, elbow pads, knee pads, and helmets in preventing skating injuries. We used data from the 91 hospital emergency departments participating in the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a national probability sample of randomly selected hospitals with 24-hour emergency departments. Injured in-line skaters who sought medical attention between December 1992 and July 1993 were interviewed by telephone. We conducted a case-control study of skaters who injured their wrists, elbows, knees, or heads as compared with skaters with injuries to other parts of their bodies. Of 206 eligible injured subjects, 161 (78 percent) were interviewed. Wrist injuries were the most common (32 percent); 25 percent of all injuries were wrist fractures. Seven percent of injured skaters wore all the types of safety gear; 46 percent wore none. Forty-five percent wore knee pads, 33 percent wrist guards, 28 percent elbow pads, and 20 percent helmets. The odds ratio for wrist injury, adjusted for age and sex, for those who did not wear wrist guards, as compared with those who did, was 10.4 (95 percent confidence interval, 2.9 to 36.9). The odds ratio for elbow injury, adjusted for the number of lessons skaters had had and whether or not they performed trick skating, was 9.5 (95 percent confidence interval, 2.6 to 34.4) for those who did not wear elbow pads. Non-use of knee pads was associated with a nonsignificant increase in the risk of knee injury (crude odds ratio, 2.2; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.7 to 7.2). The effectiveness of helmets could not be assessed. Wrist guards and elbow pads are effective in protecting in-line skaters against injuries.

IN-LINE SKATERS: A SURVEY OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT, STOPPING TECHNIQUES, FALLING AND INJURIES 1062

The goal of this project was to survey in-line skaters to determine the use of protective equipment, stopping techniques, site of impact in falls and prevalence of injury. The survey included 75 female and 59 male skaters with an average age of 26.3 ± 11.4 years. Skaters self-rated their ability levels as beginner (40 skaters), beginning-intermediate (41), intermediate(29), advanced-intermediate (15) and advanced (10). Their reasons for skating included exercise (60%), fun (84%), social activity (37%) and cross training(16%). Of the skaters surveyed, 78% owned skates, 20% helmets (Helm), 51% wrist guards (WG), 31% elbow pads (EP) and 41% knee pads (KP). Protective equipment was worn the majority of the time by the following proportions of skaters: WG - 52%, KP - 34%, EP - 21% and Helm - 8%. Variables which increased the likelihood of protective equipment usage included ownership of protective equipment (p< 0.05) and having friends who wore protective equipment (p< 0.05). Reasons cited for not using protective equipment included: uncomfortable (42%), felt to be unnecessary (34%), disliked of appearance(22%) and cost (15%). Previous injuries had occurred in 22% of the skaters; 11% of these were fractures. The wrist and hands were the most common sites of impact after falling, followed by the knees, the buttocks and the elbows. Previous falls were associated with the greater use of appropriate protective equipment use [e.g. a history of falling on hands and wrists increased subsequent usage of wrist guards (p< 0.05)]. The survey revealed that the rear skate braking technique was commonly used by 52% of the skaters, the spin stop by 24%, the “t” stop by 23%, going off into the grass by 22% and falling by 8%. These data reveal that in-line skaters wear protective equipment at relatively low frequencies and may be placing themselves at risk for injury.

Advanced Warning/Caution/Advisory Displays for Fighter Aircraft

The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of using color cathode ray tube (CRT) checklists and programmable multifunction switches to display warning/caution/advisory (W/C/A) information. This study compared three different display formats on speed and accuracy of recognition and execution of emergency procedures. The following three different W/C/A formats were tested: 1) Abbreviated title of the emergency written on a CRT [e.g., ELEC SYS/MAIN GEN], with the pilot using his knee pad checklist to complete the required steps, 2) Complete title with the checklist shown on a CRT, [e.g., MAIN GENERATOR FAILURE/ELEC RESET SWITCH- DEPRESS], and 3) Complete title with the checklist plus the pictorial switch layout, [i.e., CRT showing location of switch to be pressed.] Results showed that there is a definite advantage in using a CRT W/C/A checklist. Event time for the Abbreviated Title/Manual Checklist was significantly longer than either the Complete Title/CRT Checklist or the Complete Title/CRT Checklist with pictorials. However, there was no difference in event time between the latter two.

Modelling of a carpet installer knee-kicker

A model of a carpet installer's knee-kicker is presented. A “knee-kicker” is a tool used by a carpet installer in stretching a carpet. It consists of a rod with a knee pad on one end and barbs on the other end. During use, the tool is placed on the carpet and it is then impacted on the knee pad by the suprapatellar region of the knee of the carpet installer. The tool is modelled by a viscoelastic solid representing the knee pad and an elastic column representing the rod. The behavior of this system during a kicking cycle can be described by a pair of differential equations. Solutions to these equations are also presented. The results are compared with experimental data and with results from a biodynamic model of the carpet installer. It is found that the typical knee-kicker pad does little to attenuate the impulse of the kick stroke. Recommendations for improving the pads are suggested.

Ice-skating injuries

The range of injuries sustained at an ice-rink and presented to an Accident Service department is described. A total of 203 patients with 222 injuries presented themselves during a 2-month period. There were 103 noteworthy injuries, including 61 fractures, 2 dislocations and 2 severed tendons, but the commonest injuries were wounds, sprains and bruises. Beginners appear to be more prone to injury than experienced skaters. In addition to using well-fitting skate-boots to protect the ankle, some injuries could be avoided by wearing elbow and knee pads, and a thick pair of gloves. The number of injuries compared with the total number of skaters was small but produced a noteworthy increase in the workload of the Accident Service.

Patterns of knee injuries in wrestling: a six year study.

Data on knee injuries sustained by the University of Iowa wrestling team over a 6 year period were compiled. There were a total of 136 wrestlers during this time. Fifty-one different wrestlers sustained 136 injuries (64 knees). Multiple parameters were examined for each injury, including date of injury; days lost; diagnosis; side injured; mechanism; occurrence during competition or practice; whether the wrestler was in control, "on the bottom," or both wrestlers standing; type of move being made at the time of injury; how far into a match or practice the injury happened; initial versus recurrent injury; principal form of management; weight-bearing status; and presence of knee pads. Each wrestler's weight class, years of experience, rank on the team, lead leg, and compliance were noted. We found an incidence of 30 knee injuries per 100 wrestlers per year. There were 11.5 knee injuries per 100 wrestlers per year requiring a week or greater time loss. This comprises over one third of all serious wrestling injuries. Exposure data revealed injury rates in matches to be almost 40 times those of practice. Wrestlers with previous knee injuries were at high risk for reinjury. Early season competition is an extremely high risk period. The most frequent injuries were prepatellar bursitis, lateral and medial sprains, and lateral and medial meniscal tears. We noted a relatively higher rate of lateral versus medial meniscal tears compared to other sports and a somewhat common presentation of a meniscal tear resulting from minimal trauma. The lead leg was injured most often. The takedown was the most frequent situation where any injury occurred. Defensive wrestlers appeared to be at higher risk during takedowns. The wrestler "underneath" was also injured more often. Compliance correlated with decreased recurrence of injury. Approximately 50% of wrestlers were found to be noncompliant with medical recommendations. Junior varsity wrestlers lost significantly more time than varsity wrestlers with equivalent injuries. There was no correlation of injury rate with weight class, period of match, timing in practice, or years of experience.

Arthroscopic Assessment and Treatment of Dancers' Knee Injuries.

In brief: The author saw 16 dancers with a history of dance-related knee injuries that had defied conservative treatment. Arthroscopic examination revealed 15 meniscal tears and four cases of chondromalacia patellae. The meniscal tears were treated by partial arthroscopic meniscectomy and the chondromalacia patellae by shaving, drilling, and debridement of the patella. After surgery the results were rated by means of a physical examination and a patient questionnaire. The results were generally excellent, with 13 of the 16 dancers returning to a preoperative level of dance activity. However, the author stresses the importance of preventing injury by using correct dance technique, wearing knee pads during practice, and avoiding excessively hard floor surfaces.

Fitting of protective football equipment.

As no other guide was found to illustrate and describe protective equipment and its fitting, we have prepared this treatise. Properly fitted protective equipment for football is a must to prevent injury from occurring. Many injuries result from improperly fitted equipment. The helmet and shoulder pads are the most important pieces of equipment that require proper fit. Adequate face masks and jaw pads are essential to the helmet. Cantilever shoulder pads are necessary for most positions, with straps for those with subluxating or dislocating shoulders. Other pieces of equipment that need attention are cervical collars, hip pads, thigh pads, knee pads, pants, and shoes. Elbow, forearm, wrist, hand, and mouthpieces are essential to the player and care must be taken to see that they are compatible with proper fit. Special materials such as Ensolite, Hexcelite, RTV-11, Orthoplast, Lightcast, or Therm-O-Foam may be utilized to construct special pads. Today's modern football equipment provides adequate protection. It is imperative that all personnel involved in fitting equipment be knowledgeable about the subject.

Aircraft propulsion from the back room

To whom must the praise be given? To the boys in the back roomsOn the 15th May 1941 a small aircraft landed at Cranwell after a flight lasting 17 minutes. The pilot, Fl. Lt. P. E. G. Sayer, got out of the aircraft and was immediately surrounded by an excited group wanting to know how the machine had performed. He answered questions standing by the aircraft and reading from the notes on his knee pad, which he copied on to the paper as shown in Fig. 1. This flight, the first of a Whittle turbojet propelled aircraft, started a new era in aviation. It also marked the beginning of the rapid development of a new heat engine, the fifth since Newcomen’s steam engine.As you can see from the pilot’s notes, the performance of the E28/39 aircraft in that first flight was modest. An Indicated Air Speed (IAS) of 240 mph was reached. That it was powered by a turbojet can be seen from the readings of rpm, jet pipe temperature, etc. This first engine developed about 850 lb take-off thrust and weighed some 700 lb.

Aetiology and pathology of beat knee.

The object of this study was to determine the mechanism of the production of beat knee and its relation to pathological findings. A clinical study was made among 598 coal-face workers at one large colliery: 579 were examined of whom 233 showed evidence of past or present beat knee. A considerable preponderance of non-inflammatory lesions, most commonly in the prepatellar bursa, was demonstrated. It was concluded that the single common factor in the causation of non-inflammatory or acute recurrent bursitis was the trauma of kneeling. Experimental investigation of the pressures exerted showed great variations in the pressure on the knee as a whole and on different parts of its weight-bearing surfaces. The view that these localized and extreme variations in pressure may lead to rupture of a vessel found confirmation in the aspiration of blood from the bursae of 29 out of 30 patients. Histological sections from chronically enlarged bursae showed intense fibrosis in the wall of the bursa and sometimes deposition of haemosiderin. In the management of a new case of acute simple bursitis immediate aspiration of the blood and the instillation of hyalase proved successful in all 12 cases. Aspiration was also successful in certain cases of acute recurrent simple bursitis. Surgical removal of chronically enlarged fibrotic bursae allowed eight out of 12 patients to return to the coal-face. It is suggested that in order to reduce the incidence of beat knee the use of a knee pad that will not only protect the skin of the front of the knee from trauma by coal particles but will also cushion the knee from the effects of extreme variations in pressure may be desirable.

Multipurpose brace: a useful adjunct in rehabilitation.

This multipurpose brace consists of two tubular lateral bars, both of which are adjustable in length. The adjustment is simple, speedy, and secure, without any screw attachments or special tools. The upper end of the brace consists of a half ring, padded and leather covered, which can tilt laterally to accommodate to the lengthening of either side bar. The lower ends of the side bars fit on a narrow flat metal bar covered with a thin weight bearing rubber pad. This is placed anterior to the heel of the shoe and can be strapped in place. There are padded straps attached to the side bars to serve as supports for the calf and thigh, as is usual in permanent braces. An ingenious knee pad can be strapped anterior to the patella. The half ring at the thigh can serve as the upper end of the brace if the side bars