TRAUMATOLOGY - THE ACHILLES-HEEL IN THE REHABILITATION OF CARDIOVASCULAR OUTPATIENTS

In outpatient rehabilitation involving cardiac patients apprehension o f the rare cardiovascular complications are crucial determinants of th e sports activities whereas prophylactics of injuries is thought to be less important. Retrospectively, questionnaires to specify injuries w ere answered by 903 patients (61.7+/-8 years, 753 men, 150 women from 116 coronary care groups, approximate to 270,000 patient exercise hour s [PEH]). Independently of the patient's age and frequency of particip ation 123 traumas (1 per 2,200 PEH) occurred. Ball games accounted for the majority of the injuries (101/123 = 82.1%). Overstrains and disto rsions were most frequent (53.7% = 1 per 4,100 PEH) followed by bruise s/hematomas (15.4% = 1 per 14,200 PEH), ruptured muscles, tendons, and ligaments (12.2% = 1 per 18,000 PEH), bone fractures (11.4% approxima te to 1 per 19,300 PEH), and abrasions or slashes (6.5% approximate to 1 per 33,750 PEH). Two of the slashes and the loss of eyesight in one patient were caused by broken spectacles. Strains and distorsions wer e primarily located in the upper (25/27 = 43.8%) or lower limbs (22/57 = 38.6%). All ruptured muscles, tendons and ligaments were of the low er extremities. The 14 bone fractures were localized over the body. In sports with cardiac patients physicians must focus on the cardiovascu lar system and stress the prophylaxis of injuries by teaching motor an d technical skills as well as tactics. Non-breakable spectacles are ma ndatory.