MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN, JOINT AND SPINE INJURY PATTERNS, AND RECOVERY OUTCOMES IN COMPETITIVE ATHLETES

The musculoskeletal pains affecting the joints and spine represent a frequent and clinically relevant issue in competitive athletes, which may go beyond the immediate injury event and affect the functional outcome in the long run. Although the literature in sports medicine has traditionally focused on the use of return-to-play measures, increasing literature has focused on the use of pain trajectory, quality of recovery, and the possibility of progression to chronic musculoskeletal disease. This is a systematic review of existing research on musculoskeletal pain epidemiology, mechanisms, and recovery rates, related to joint and spine injuries in the athletic population. A close focus is done on overuse-related pain syndromes, spine disorders, joint injuries, and bone stress injuries and sex and age-specific considerations. The evidence-based rehabilitation strategies, the multidisciplinary management strategies, and the prevention models are discussed, focusing on the clinically meaningful outcomes, including the pain elimination, functional recovery, and elimination of the recurrence. The methodological standards such as the outcome reporting and evidence appraisal are addressed in order to contextualize the quality and relevance of the current research. This review seeks to fill the gap between sports medicine, pain science, and musculoskeletal disease management by incorporating opinions on both sides of the equation: research on athletic injury and the field of rheumatologic and pain practice. The joint- and spine-based understanding of musculoskeletal pain in athletes could inform prevention strategies at the early stage, reduce the risk of chronic pain and sustain long-term musculoskeletal health of the active population.