Key result
Vascular disorders should be considered in athletes with persistent symptoms refractory to conservative therapies, requiring comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment for return to activity.
Vascular etiologies should be considered in athletes with persistent symptoms refractory to conservative therapies for presumed musculoskeletal injuries, requiring comprehensive evaluation for prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Vascular workup may be considered in refractory athletic symptoms; leaves open prospective validation before changing practice.
Athletes rarely present with symptoms or clinical findings suggestive of vascular disease. However, vascular etiologies should be considered when an athlete complains of persistent symptoms which are refractory to conservative therapies commonly used for presumed musculoskeletal injuries. A comprehensive history should be performed, with special consideration to the postures the athlete assumes repeatedly during their chosen sport. Musculoskeletal anatomy surrounding the vascular bed of interest should be thoroughly reviewed. Physical examination should include provocative maneuvers specific to the suspected vascular disorder. The proper use of noninvasive diagnostic studies, including duplex ultrasonography, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), along with catheter-based angiography, when indicated, can ensure prompt diagnosis. Appropriate, multifaceted treatment of an athlete affected by a vascular disorder can facilitate an expeditious return to previous levels of activity.
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Perlowski et al. (2010) conducted a review in Vascular disorders in athletes. Vascular disorders should be considered in athletes with persistent symptoms refractory to conservative therapies, requiring comprehensive evaluation and appropriate treatment for return to activity.
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