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The Use of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Sports Muscle Injuries in Football (Soccer) Players: State-of-the-art Review

Current Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Reports (2022)Cite this article

Abstract

Recent findings

Muscle injuries count for one third of all sports injuries and are the most common injuries in football (soccer) players. There is a clear need to define the best approach for patients from an accurate diagnosis to complete functional recovery and return to play. In this context, especially in the last decades, the use of diagnostic ultrasound has become a key tool in the management of muscle injuries, even if complete agreement is still lacking.

Purpose of the review

This state-of-the-art review aims to critically discuss the use of diagnostic ultrasound in the management of muscle injuries in football. In the paper, the best available evidence and an experience-based approach are discussed, from basic technical aspects to advanced clinical evaluation. Beginning with diagnosis and classification to the serial evaluations in the return to play process, the paper underlines the key aspects that should be considered when using ultrasound results to guide the recovery process.

Summary

Diagnostic ultrasound is a useful and frequently performed procedure in sport and exercise medicine, especially in the management of football muscle injuries. Technical skills are needed to correctly interpret ultrasound findings that should always be considered in conjunction with the clinical and functional recovery of the athlete.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Education and Research Department, Isokinetic Medical Group, FIFA Medical Centre of Excellence, Via Casteldebole 8/4, 40132, Bologna, Italy

    Pierpaolo Zunarelli, Giacomo Lucenteforte, Marco Miceli, Matthew Stride, Gianni Nanni & Francesco Della Villa

  2. Radiologia Diagnostica E Interventistica Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli, Bologna, Italy

    Marco Miceli

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  1. Pierpaolo Zunarelli
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  2. Giacomo Lucenteforte
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Correspondence to Pierpaolo Zunarelli.

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Zunarelli, P., Lucenteforte, G., Miceli, M. et al. The Use of Diagnostic Ultrasound in Sports Muscle Injuries in Football (Soccer) Players: State-of-the-art Review. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-022-00354-7

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Keywords

  • Muscle injuries
  • Muscle ultrasonography
  • Return to play
  • Muscle injury classification
  • Musculoskeletal ultrasound