Oral Creatine Supplementation
Separating Fact From Hype

Many athletes tend to buy the idea that creatine can boost their performance in nearly any kind of all-out exercise. But the evidence so far demonstrates an ergogenic effect in only a few specific situations, such as repeated stationary cycling sprints. And the presence of creatine in many tissues and organs suggests a potential for unpredictable side effects with long-term use.

Mark S. Juhn, DO

Poison Ivy, Oak, and Sumac Dermatitis
Identification, Treatment, and Prevention

Poison ivy and its relatives flourish over most of the United States, and at least half the population is sensitive to the plants' resins. Along with up-to-date guidance on treatment and prevention, this article includes photos to help you identify the plants and the typical skin reactions.

Lisa A. Garner, MD

Obturator Neuropathy
A Cause of Exercise-Related Groin Pain

As if the differential diagnosis for sports-related groin pain weren't already complex enough, here's another possible cause: entrapment of the obturator nerve in the proximal thigh. Based on their experience with more than 150 patients, the authors discuss the typical history and tests that help confirm the diagnosis. A table compares obturator neuropathy with other causes of chronic groin pain.

Peter Brukner, MBBS; Chris Bradshaw, MBBS; Paul McCrory, MBBS

Effort Thrombosis With Sepsis

A young man who had been doing intense weight lifting noticed a slight swelling in his right arm, which was followed 2 days later by fever and malaise. Investigation led to the diagnosis of a primary deep venous thrombosis with the unusual complication of sepsis. His case underpins a discussion of immediate thrombolytic treatment and the more complex area of postthrombolysis management.

Kevin deWeber, MD