Preparticipation orthopedic screening evaluation

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Preventive Healthcare

Background:

• The preparticipation orthopedic evaluation is standard practice for athletes.
• Assessing athletes before participation aims to identify risks for injury.
• Evidence supporting the predictive value of the physical examination component is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence supporting the preparticipation orthopedic evaluation.
• To assess the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of its components.
• To identify musculoskeletal findings predictive of future injuries.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of articles on the preparticipation orthopedic evaluation.
• Analysis of studies on the sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of evaluation components.
• PubMed search for musculoskeletal conditions linked to future injuries.

Main Results:

• The evaluation questionnaire demonstrates adequate sensitivity (>90% in some studies).
• Limited evidence supports the physical examination's sensitivity, specificity, or predictive value for future injuries.
• No specific examination elements are documented as predictive of future musculoskeletal problems.

Conclusions:

• The current preparticipation orthopedic evaluation meets legal and institutional standards.
• Practitioners should note the lack of data connecting physical exam findings to injury likelihood.
• Expanding the scope of the physical examination is unlikely to improve its predictive value for injuries.