2018 SMA CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2018 SMA CONFERENCE SPORTS MEDICINE AUSTRALIA’S (SMA) ANNUAL CONFERENCE WAS HELD IN BEAUTIFUL PERTH FROM THE 10– 13TH THOF OCTOBER. MEMBERS AND DELEGATES FROM ACROSS THE SPORTS MEDICINE DISCIPLINES CONVERGED AT THE PERTH CONVENTION AND EXHIBITION CENTRE FOR THE LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN THE FIELD WITH A VARIED PROGRAM FEATURING KEYNOTE LECTURES, SYMPOSIA, FREE PAPER SESSIONS, POSTER PRESENTATIONS AND PRACTICAL WORKSHOPS. There was a wealth of knowledge Dr Doug King presented research on is needed in interpreting the SCAT exchanged throughout the duration of the number of head impacts in sport in athletes with mood disturbance. the four-day conference. This article will and demonstrated that there are a share a small snippet of key highlights surprisingly large number of head impacts SHOULDER INJURIES and learning points. which occur across different sports, such as American football, Australian football It was also a pleasure hearing CONCUSSION and rugby league. There are also a large Refshauge Lecturer, Dr Gregory Hoy number of head impacts across both share his insights of shoulder injuries. During the conference, there were several male and female contact sports as well An orthopaedic surgeon, Greg revealed high-quality presentations on sport-related as across both junior and senior levels shoulder surgery has evolved significantly concussion. These revolved around new of contact sport. over the past decades, making recovery research, risk of concussions in contact faster and decreasing the risk of sports and different ways to recognise In the free paper sessions, findings were recurrence. However, athletes can have a sport-related concussion. also shared regarding high-contact sports recurrences during their sporting career. such as football. In Australian Football, The Latarjet reconstruction currently has Dr Andrew Gardner presented being younger than 25 and having a high a very low failure rate, but given the research on sport-related concussion, impulsivity position, such as a midfielder restrictions in range of motion, it is not discovering we still have more questions or defender, increases the risk of a appropriate for all athletes. than answers. Importantly, Dr Gardner sport-related concussion. This also highlighted that the relationships creates significant pressure on players INJURY SCREENING AND between concussion and long-term brain to continue to play regardless of signs INJURY RISK REDUCTION health deterioration are associations only and symptoms of concussion. and no cause and effect relationship has The conference also saw Professor Evert as yet been established. Dr Gardner also To assist health care professionals to Verhagen highlight the value of injury showed that a video analysis can give recognise a concussion, there are screening in sports practice. Screening very useful information as to whether numerous tests available. Both the has traditionally been used as an a concussion has occurred. Specifically, SCAT and King-Devick Test are valid important tool to assist in injury a blank or vacant stare on the video and reliable sideline assessment tools prevention. Now, the value of screening presents in 83% of all medically for sport-related concussion, but caution is a topic of heated debate on whether diagnosed concussions. 44 VOLUME 36 • ISSUE 3 2018