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Musculoskeletal Issues and Care Specific to the Female Athlete

  • Women’s Health Rehabilitation (S Bennis and C Fitzgerald, Section Editors)
  • Published:
Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose of Review

This chapter aims to provide recent updates in the literature regarding musculoskeletal issues in the female athlete that affects their care. The content will aim to supply specific history, physical exam, diagnostic and treatment pearls for medical providers caring for female athletes.

Recent Findings

Female athletes are more likely to be injured and spend more time away from sport due to their injuries when compared with their male counterparts. The causes of these issues have been found to be multifactorial due to anatomic differences, hormonal influences, and biomechanical patterns that predispose females to injury.

Summary

Female and male athletes differ in the types of injuries they sustain and the contributing factors that lead to these injuries. This allows the unique opportunity to study these variables and how they can individualize prevention and treatment strategies for each sex.

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  1. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, 1400 North IH-35, Suite 2.230, Austin, TX, 78701, USA

    Alexandria Haselhorst

  2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, Chicago, IL, USA

    Monica Rho

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Haselhorst, A., Rho, M. Musculoskeletal Issues and Care Specific to the Female Athlete. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 8, 249–259 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-020-00279-z

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