Microvascular Damage in a Young Female Archer Assessed by Nailfold Videocapillaroscopy: A Case Report

Maria Maddalena Sirufo, Enrica Maria Bassino, Francesca De Pietro, Lia Ginaldi and Massimo De Martinis
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Maria Maddalena Sirufo: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Enrica Maria Bassino: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Francesca De Pietro: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Lia Ginaldi: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy
Massimo De Martinis: Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, University of L’Aquila, 67100 L’Aquila, Italy

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 12, 1-9

Abstract: Archers are known to be exposed to the risk of developing various injuries, including less described microvascular damages, which can however heavily affect the performance of athletes. Nailfold videocapillaroscopy is a safe, proven and non-invasive method that allows us to examine the nail capillaries and diagnose vascular anomalies in athletes suffering from the consequences of microtrauma caused by repeated use of fingertips. The detection of defined capillaroscopic pictures is the basis for the follow-up and suggests carrying out further clinical investigations to exclude underlying pathologies. In women this aspect is even more important since they are more frequently affected by autoimmune diseases such as scleroderma which can cause microcirculation alterations. We report the case of a 16-year-old woman who has been practicing archery for five years. She had been complaining for two years about painful fingertips, worsening in the last year. Through videocapillaroscopy, carried out by using a ×200 optical probe-equipped videocapillaroscope connected to image analyzer software (VideoCap software 3.0; DS Medica, Milan, Italy), we detected changes in the microvasculature compatible with a non-specific pattern. The findings of these anomalies suggest a diagnostic analysis aimed at excluding the presence of systemic diseases such as scleroderma. Once these conditions are excluded, and assuming that the documented alterations are due to the particular muscular effort and vibrations to which the fingers are subjected in shooting, we suggest follow-up to keep under control possible further developments and clinical changes. As far as we know, this is the first report that documents and describes the condition of microvascular changes in an archer. Archers, similar to other athletes who mainly use fingertips such as volleyball players, are more exposed to the development of digital traumas that can induce alterations in the microcirculation. We suggest that a periodic capillaroscopy should be included in the health surveillance program of these athletes, in fact this simple, reliable, non-invasive and inexpensive diagnostic tool is able to recognize early signs of microvascular damage and then suggest indications for further investigations and or follow-up.

Keywords: archery; woman’s health; microcirculation; nailfold capillaroscopy; autoimmune disease; sport injuries; microvascular damage (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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