Musculoskeletal practices for the preparticipation physical examination

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Orthopedics
• Physical Examination

Background:

• Musculoskeletal (MSK) screening practices during Preparticipation Physical Examinations (PPE) are not well-documented.
• Understanding current MSK exam provider practices is crucial for improving athlete safety.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine current provider practices for MSK screening during PPE.
• To assess if current MSK screening goals are being met.
• To identify opportunities for improving MSK screening during PPE.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional survey was distributed to members of the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) and the American Medical Society for Sports Medicine (AMSSM).
• The survey instrument, hosted on REDCap, collected data on participant demographics and MSK exam practices for PPE.
• Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the collected data.

Main Results:

• Out of 616 participants, 82% were familiar with the 4th Edition PPE Monograph, and 80% used it as a guideline.
• 52% implemented the 90-second MSK screening test, while 82% used an orthopedic exam.
• 92% were satisfied with screening for current injury, but only 42% for future injury.

Conclusions:

• There is significant variability in MSK screening techniques among providers, indicating a potential lack of understanding or adherence to the PPE Monograph.
• Providers express doubt regarding the effectiveness of current MSK exams in screening for future injuries.
• The objectives of the MSK portion of the 4th Edition PPE monograph are not fully realized, necessitating further research into validated screening exams for MSK injury prevention.