Ultrasonography and MRI are used for imaging evaluation of patellar tendinopathy, and “thickening of the tendon” is known as one of the characteristic findings. However, there are no evidence-based quantitative criteria to help evaluate this phenomenon. The purpose of this study was to investigate an objective measure of patellar tendon thickness. Patellar tendon thickness was evaluated in 65 elite university athletes using both ultrasonography and MRI. The relationship between tendon thickness and clinical patellar tendinopathy was investigated, and the cutoff value of the tendon thickness was calculated. Of the 129 knees included in the analysis, clinical patellar tendinopathy was found in 16 knees (12.4%). The proximal patellar tendon was significantly thicker in athletes with clinical patellar tendinopathy on both ultrasonography (8.3 mm vs. 5.1 mm; p < 0.001) and MRI (9.9 mm vs. 5.5 mm; p < 0.001). Setting the cutoff value to a thickness of >7.0 mm was an accurate predictor of clinical patellar tendinopathy (ultrasonography: sensitivity 81.3%, specificity 95.6%; MRI: sensitivity 100%, specificity 89.4%). Both ultrasonography and MRI measurement of the proximal patellar tendon thickness reflected the presence of clinical patellar tendinopathy. Defining “thickening of the patellar tendon” as thicker than 7.0 mm on both ultrasonography and MRI therefore has clinical significance.

To verify whether a large-scale international volleyball competition could be conducted safely using the bubble method, both for our participating team and as a whole. All 32 men’s and women’s teams were gathered in one place and a large-scale international volleyball competition was held for over a month without spectators using the bubble method. More than 1,000 people participated in the event, and 572 volleyball players played a total of 248 matches during the competition. There were 54 participants from Japan, including 27 male and female staff and players each. There was one team doctor for both men and women. A total of 2,250 PCR tests and 7,920 antigen tests were performed over 38 days. We investigated the incidence of infection in our team and in all participating teams. There were 9 fever cases from our men’s team, but all of them tested negative for COVID-19. Overall, a total of 10,170 tests were performed and only one was positive. In order to ensure the health and well-being of all participants, the indoor competition was concluded safely without the occurrence of COIVD-19 clusters in the bubble system with strict adherence to various strict protocols of COVID-19.

The posterior circumflex humeral artery, a branch of the axillary artery, is compressed by the humeral head during repeated abduction and external rotation of the shoulder joint owing to its anatomical structure. This damages the vascular endothelium, resulting in thrombi, arterial dissection, and aneurysms, a condition known as posterior, circumflex humeral artery pathological lesions. A thrombus may form at the site and becomes a peripheral embolus, resulting in peripheral arterial occlusion.A 21-year-old right-handed elite man college volleyball player noticed coldness and pain in his right hand during a game. Cyanosis was present except in the middle finger, and the beating radial artery was palpable; however, the ulnar artery was not. Doppler ultrasound examination revealed thrombus occlusion of the ulnar artery and common palmar artery of the index finger. Peripheral arterial occlusion was diagnosed due to embolization of a thrombus from this site. The patient stopped practicing volleyball immediately after the onset of symptoms and was started on cilostazol 200 mg and rivaroxaban 15 mg. Subjective coldness of the fingers improved one week after the start of treatment. The patient resumed practice four weeks after the start of treatment and participated in a game by the seventh week.Posterior circumflex humeral artery pathological lesions are caused by overhead motions such as pitching. They are most commonly reported in athletes playing volleyball, although rare, and many cases of aneurysm formation have been reported.Observing a cold sensation in the periphery after practice is necessary for screening.