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Intersection of surgical injuries and pain interference among former female collegiate gymnasts
Ally Ferber1, David R Howell2,3, Corrine N Seehusen3
1Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Nutley, New Jersey, USA.
Background:
Gymnastics is a competitive sport with numerous health benefits. However, few data exist that examine the lasting effects of injuries in retired gymnasts.
Objective:
To examine pain interference among former collegiate gymnasts. Specifically, we focused on the relationship between gymnastics-related injuries sustained during middle/high school or college that required surgery and former collegiate gymnasts' current pain. We hypothesized that injuries requiring surgery would be associated with increased pain and reduced function after retirement.
Design:
Cross-sectional survey.
Setting:
An online questionnaire was distributed to former female collegiate gymnasts via social media.
Participants:
A total of 447 former female collegiate gymnasts completed the survey and were grouped according to whether they indicated an injury during their middle/high school or collegiate gymnastics career that required surgery.
Main Outcome Measures:
The association between current pain interference (Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System [PROMIS] scale) and injuries in middle/high school or college that resulted in surgery. Pain interference elements included current enjoyment of life, ability to concentrate, participation in day-to-day activities, enjoyment of recreational activities, ability to perform errands, and ability to socialize with others.
Results:
Those who reported an injury that resulted in surgery (n = 260; mean current age ± SD = 32.8 ± 9.5 years) were younger than those who did not at the time of survey completion (n = 187; current age: 37.0 ± 11.0 years) and reported beginning gymnastics at an earlier age (4.4 ± 2.0 years vs. 5.1 ± 2.5 years; p = .001). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups on any PROMIS questions. In secondary analyses, we found a small but significant association between beginning gymnastics at an earlier age and the odds of requiring surgery (odds ratio = 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.02-1.21; p = .02).
Conclusions:
Most retired gymnasts reported a gymnastics-related injury that required surgery. Gymnasts who start gymnastics at a younger age were more likely to sustain an injury that required surgery, but surgery was not associated with higher levels of pain interference.
