In this post we will be taking a closer look at some of the most popular sports medicine-related articles recently published across medical journals.

The Effect of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Synovial Fibrosis and Cartilage Degeneration in Knee Osteoarthritis

  • The American Journal of Sports Medicine (May 2025)
  • This article is a report on a laboratory study of the effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on synovial fibrosis and cartilage degeneration in knee osteoarthritis (KOA).
  • The study found that PRP may aggravate KOA synovial fibrosis, but also has an inhibitory effect on cartilage degeneration and abnormal subchondral bone remodeling.
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Postoperative Pain and Opioid Usage With Combined Adductor Canal and IPACK Block Versus Isolated Adductor Canal Block After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction With a Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone Autograft: A Single-Center Randomized Controlled Trial

  • The American Journal of Sports Medicine (May 2025)
  • This study was done to compare the use of ACB and a combination of ACB and IPACK block in patients after ACLR with a bone-patellar tendon-bone (BTB) autograft. The hope was that the addition of an IPACK block would improve postoperative pain control and minimize opioid use.
  • The results suggest that the addition of an IPACK block to an ACB decreases opioid use and improves pain control after ACLR with a BTB autograft.
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Delaying Tackling in Youth Contact Sports: Moving toward a Safer Future or Softening the Game?

  • Sports Medicine (May 2025)
  • This is an opinion article that explores delaying or modifying tackling in youth contact sports until the age of 12 years due to concerns for increased risk for sports-related concussions in young children with developing brains and less-developed neuromuscular control.
  • Delaying tackling until the age of 12 years, along with contact skill instruction and progression may be safer for children’s long-term health.
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Association Between the c.34C > T (rs17602729) Polymorphism of the AMPD1 Gene and the Status of Endurance and Power Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

  • Sports Medicine (May 2025)
  • This article is a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating certain genotypes of AMPD1 c.34C > T polymorphism (rs17602729) in endurance and power athletes to determine if this polymorphism is associated with elite athlete status.
  • Results suggest that having 2 copies of the c allele of the AMPD1 c.34C > T (rs17602729) polymorphism may be associated with a greater likelihood of achieving elite or sub-elite athlete status in sports that rely on aerobic and anaerobic metabolic pathways. 
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Fasciotomy for Chronic Exertional Compartment Syndrome of the Deep Posterior Lower Leg Compartment: A Prospective Study

  • Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine (May 2025)
  • This article is a prospective case series aimed at determining the success rates of fasciotomy and factors that may be used to predict outcomes.
  • Fasciotomy for lower leg deep posterior lower leg compartment syndrome was successful in about half of patients. Risk factors identified for failure were not opening the flexor hallucis and patients with symptoms for a longer period of time.
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Spondylolysis in Adolescent Athletes: A Descriptive Study of 533 Patients

  • Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine (May 2025)
  • The purpose of this descriptive study was to evaluate spondylolysis in adolescent athletes to better understand the association with age, sport, examination findings, injury site, diagnostic studies, treatments, treatment duration, and outcomes.
  • Spondylolysis was a common cause of back pain in adolescent athletes, affecting more males than females. Males were also older at the time of presentation than females. Non-operative treatment was successful in most patients.
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Driving after Concussion: Symptom Clusters and Neurocognition Uniquely Relate to Post-concussion Driving Performance

  • Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise (May 2025)
  • This study was done to evaluate simulated driving performance in people acutely concussed.
  • The results found a relationship between some concussion symptoms and poorer simulated driving performance which might be helpful to providers when discussing returning to driving with patients post-concussion.
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There you have it – a look at some of the most popular sports medicine articles recently released. Sign up for alerts and stay informed on the latest published guidelines and articles.

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