Patellar Tendon Ruptures in National Football League Players

2011 ◽  
Vol 39 (11) ◽  
pp. 2436-2440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Boublik ◽  
Theodore Schlegel ◽  
Ryan Koonce ◽  
James Genuario ◽  
Charles Lind ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Patellar Tendon ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Surgical Repair ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Common Mechanism ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Tendon Ruptures ◽  
Eccentric Overload

Background: Although knee injuries are common among professional football players, ruptures of the patellar tendon are relatively rare. Predisposing factors, mechanisms of injury, treatment guidelines, and recovery expectations are not well established in high-level athletes. Hypothesis: Professional football players with isolated rupture of the patellar tendon treated with timely surgical repair will return to their sport. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Twenty-four ruptures of the patellar tendon in 22 National Football League (NFL) players were identified from 1994 through 2004. Team physicians retrospectively reviewed training room and clinic records, operative notes, and imaging studies for each of these players. Player game statistics and draft status were analyzed to identify return to play predictors. A successful outcome was defined as participating in 1 regular-season NFL game. Results: Eleven of the 24 injuries had antecedent symptoms. The most common mechanism of injury was an eccentric overload to a contracting extensor mechanism. Physical examination demonstrated a palpable defect in all players. Twenty-two were complete ruptures, and 2 were partial injuries. Three of the 24 cases had a concomitant anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. In 19 of the 24 injuries, the player returned to participate in at least 1 game in the NFL. Players who returned were drafted, on average, in the fourth round, while those who failed to return to play were drafted, on average, in the sixth round. Of those players who returned to play, the average number of games played was 45.4, with a range of 1 to 142 games. Conclusion: Patellar tendon ruptures can occur in otherwise healthy professional football players without antecedent symptoms or predisposing factors. The most common mechanism of injury is eccentric overload. Close attention should be paid to stability examination of the knee given the not uncommon occurrence of concomitant ACL injury. Although this is usually a season-ending injury when it occurs in isolation, acute surgical repair generally produces good functional results and allows for return to play the following season. Players chosen earlier in the draft are more likely to return to play.

scholarly journals Epidemiology and Outcomes of Achilles Tendon Ruptures in the National Football League

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0003
Author(s):  
Selene Parekh ◽  
Jay Shah
Keyword(s):  
Achilles Tendon ◽  
Tendon Rupture ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Achilles Tendon Rupture ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Post Injury ◽  
Tendon Ruptures ◽  
Player Performance

Category: Ankle, Sports Introduction/Purpose: While much less common than ankle sprains and other sports injuries, Achilles tendon ruptures have represented unexpected and potentially career-altering injuries for professional football athletes in the National Football League (NFL). Over the past decade, the technique for surgical repair of the ruptured Achilles tendon has evolved. Mini-open and percutaneous techniques have become more common, allowing for the minimization of wound complications and expediting the rehabilitation of athletes. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to update the epidemiology of Achilles tendon ruptures in the NFL, and to analyze how recovery and post-injury performance of professional football players with this injury have progressed in the last two decades. Methods: Several online sources including NFL news and injury reports, player registries, and player statistic databases were cross-referenced to conduct a retrospective identification of all NFL players sustaining complete Achilles tendon ruptures during the 2010-2015 NFL seasons. Yearly player performance statistics were also obtained and recorded for both offensive and defensive players. A power rating formula and “approximate value” algorithm, commonly used to evaluate player production, were borrowed to calculate yearly Offensive and Defensive performance metrics for each injured player. These calculated measurements were used to quantify both offensive and defensive player performance up to 3 seasons before and after their respective Achilles tendon rupture injuries, allowing for each player to serve as his own control. Results: 78 Achilles tendon ruptures were identified in professional football players during the 2010-2015 NFL seasons. 58% of these injuries occurred during the preseason. Of those that suffered an Achilles tendon rupture, 26% did not ever return to play in the NFL. Players who did return to play in the NFL took an average of 9 months to recover after the date of injury. Across all positions, there was a net decrease in power ratings by 22% and a net decrease in approximate value by 23% over 3 years following player return after Achilles tendon rupture. Across all positions, running backs saw the biggest decrease in production with a 78% decrease over 3 years post-injury in both power ratings and approximate value. Conclusion: While the incidence of Achilles tendon ruptures in NFL players, especially in the preseason, has increased substantially, more players are returning to play after injury and with better post-injury performance as compared to the previous two decades. These injuries should still be considered potentially career-altering as 26% of players never return to play after Achilles tendon ruptures and there is still a net decrease in power-ratings by 22% for those who do return. However, these numbers optimistically suggest that advancements in treatment protocol and rehabilitation are resulting in faster recovery and improved performance after Achilles tendon ruptures in NFL players.

scholarly journals Effect of Concussions on National Football League Quarterback Performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 19
Author(s):  
Elizabeth C. Heintz ◽  
Emily F. Foret ◽  
Jeremy J. Foreman
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Field Performance ◽  
American Football ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Career Outcomes ◽  
Neurocognitive Performance ◽  
Player Performance

Background: Sports-related concussion (SRC) rates are higher in American football than any other sport; therefore, the effects of SRCs on professional football players is a prevalent topic. Previous research has shown that sustaining an SRC has negative financial and overall career outcomes for athletes and may cause performance decrements after an athlete returns to play, however, the results of previous research regarding athlete performance after returning from an SRC are mixed. While some studies found that player performance in the National Football League (NFL) was unaffected upon returning from an SRC, evidence also suggests significant scoring reductions in offensive players. Although previous research has found that NFL running backs and wide receivers perform at levels similar to their performance before sustaining an SRC, little is known about quarterback performance after an SRC. There is also evidence that SRCs decrease neurocognitive performance, a quality that is crucial, especially for quarterbacks. Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine changes in NFL quarterback performances upon return to play from an SRC. Method: Quarterback ratings (QBRs) and concussion data from 2012-2015 were used to determine if changes occurred in NFL quarterback performance following an SRC. Results: QBRs decreased by 13.3 points (p = 0.014) after quarterbacks return from an SRC. Conclusions: Changes in on-field performance for NFL quarterbacks after sustaining an SRC could be the result of neurocognitive decrements that impact quick reaction and decision-making skills, which may have greater impacts on quarterbacks than other positions.

Effect of Concussions on the Performance of Running Backs and Wide Receivers in the National Football League

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (11) ◽  
pp. 2717-2722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Toufic R. Jildeh ◽  
Kelechi R. Okoroha ◽  
Kevin A. Taylor ◽  
Patrick Buckley ◽  
Samir Mehta ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Football League ◽  
Individual Performance ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Player Performance

Background: Concussion injuries are common in professional football players; however, their effect on player performance remains unclear. Purpose: To quantify the effect of concussions on the performance of running backs and wide receivers in professional football players. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Concussion data from the National Football League were collected for a period of 4 seasons (2012-2015) for running backs and wide receivers. Age, experience, position, time to return to play, yearly total yards, and touchdowns were recorded. A power rating (total yards divided by 10 plus touchdowns multiplied by 6) was calculated for each player’s injury season as well as for the 3 seasons before and after their respective injury. A control group of running backs and wide receivers without an identified concussion injury who competed in the 2012 season was assembled for comparison. Player performance up to 3 seasons before and after the injury season was examined to assess acute and longitudinal changes in player performance. Results: A total of 38 eligible running backs and wide receivers sustained a concussion during the study period. Thirty-four (89%) players were able to return to competition in the same season, missing an average of 1.5 ± 0.9 games; the remaining 4 players returned in the subsequent season. Power ratings for concussed players were similar to those of controls throughout the study period. Concussed players did not suffer an individual performance decline upon returning within the same season. Furthermore, no significant difference in change of power rating was observed in concussed players in the acute (±1 year from injury; −1.2 ± 4.8 vs –1.1 ± 3.9, P = .199) or chronic (±3 years from injury; –3.6 ± 8.0 vs –3.0 ± 4.5, P = .219) setting compared with controls. All concussed players successfully returned to competition in either the index or next season. Conclusion: A high rate of National Football League running backs and wide receivers are able to return to play after a concussion injury. These players were found to perform at a similar level in both the acute and long-term period after concussion.

scholarly journals Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Exercises: Could a Neuromuscular Warm-Up Improve Muscle Pre-Activation before a Soccer Game? A Proof-of-Principle Study on Professional Football Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 4958
Author(s):  
Alessandro de Sire ◽  
Andrea Demeco ◽  
Nicola Marotta ◽  
Lucrezia Moggio ◽  
Arrigo Palumbo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Activation Time ◽  
Exercise Protocol ◽  
Warm Up ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Proof Of Principle

Neuromuscular warm-up has been shown to decrease the risk of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury improving muscular firing patterns. All preventive training programs described in the literature have a duration of several weeks. To date, no studies have explored the immediate effect of a neuromuscular warm-up exercise on pre-activation time of the knee stabilizer muscles. Thus, this proof-of-principle study aimed at evaluating the acute effects of a neuromuscular warm-up exercises on the electromyographic activation of knee stabilizer muscles’ activation pattern. We included 11 professional football players, mean aged 23.2 ± 4.5 years, from a Southern Italy football team. All of them underwent a standard warm-up exercise protocol at the first day of the evaluation. At 1 week, they underwent a structured neuromuscular warm-up exercise protocol. We assessed as outcome measure the pre-activation time (ms) of rectus femoris (RF), vastus medialis (VM), biceps femoris (BF), and medial hamstrings (MH) upon landing. Outcomes were assessed before and after the standard warm-up and neuromuscular warm-up. Pre-activation time of RF, VM, BF and MH significantly improved only after neuromuscular warm-up (p < 0.05); moreover, there was a significant (p < 0.05) between-group difference in pre-activation time of all muscles after the neuromuscular warm-up compared with the standard warm-up. These findings suggested that physical exercise consisting of a structured injury prevention neuromuscular warm-up might have an immediate effect in improving the activation time of the knee stabilizer muscles, thus potentially reducing the risk of ACL injury.

scholarly journals High rate of second ACL injury following ACL reconstruction in male professional footballers: an updated longitudinal analysis from 118 players in the UEFA Elite Club Injury Study

2021 ◽  
pp. bjsports-2020-103555
Author(s):  
Francesco Della Villa ◽  
Martin Hägglund ◽  
Stefano Della Villa ◽  
Jan Ekstrand ◽  
Markus Waldén
Keyword(s):  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
Injury Rate ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Cox Regression Analysis ◽  
Career Length ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundStudies on subsequent anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ruptures and career length in male professional football players after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) are scarce.AimTo investigate the second ACL injury rate, potential predictors of second ACL injury and the career length after ACLR.Study designProspective cohort study.SettingMen’s professional football.Methods118 players with index ACL injury were tracked longitudinally for subsequent ACL injury and career length over 16.9 years. Multivariable Cox regression analysis with HR was carried out to study potential predictors for subsequent ACL injury.ResultsMedian follow-up was 4.3 (IQR 4.6) years after ACLR. The second ACL injury rate after return to training (RTT) was 17.8% (n=21), with 9.3% (n=11) to the ipsilateral and 8.5% (n=10) to the contralateral knee. Significant predictors for second ACL injury were a non-contact index ACL injury (HR 7.16, 95% CI 1.63 to 31.22) and an isolated index ACL injury (HR 2.73, 95% CI 1.06 to 7.07). In total, 11 of 26 players (42%) with a non-contact isolated index ACL injury suffered a second ACL injury. RTT time was not an independent predictor of second ACL injury, even though there was a tendency for a risk reduction with longer time to RTT. Median career length after ACLR was 4.1 (IQR 4.0) years and 60% of players were still playing at preinjury level 5 years after ACLR.ConclusionsAlmost one out of five top-level professional male football players sustained a second ACL injury following ACLR and return to football, with a considerably increased risk for players with a non-contact or isolated index injury.

scholarly journals Increasing Incidence of Pectoralis Major Ruptures in NFL Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0039
Author(s):  
Patrick Wise ◽  
Robert A. Gallo
Keyword(s):  
Bench Press ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Relative Strength ◽  
Pectoralis Major ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
The Past ◽  
Playing Time ◽  
Performance Enhancing

Objectives: Pectoralis major ruptures are considered an uncommon injury in football. A previous study showing that only 10 compete ruptures occurred in the NFL between the years 2000-2010. The purpose of the study is to report the incidence of pectoralis ruptures in National Football League (NFL) players from 2010-2017 and identify any characteristics that could have contributed. We hypothesized that incidence of pectoralis major ruptures would increase over the past eight years. Methods: Using publicly available reports from websites such as ESPN.com and NFL.com, pectoralis major injuries in professional football players were identified during the years 2010-2017. Details about age, position played, injury setting, performance enhancing drug (PED) suspensions, and combine performance were obtained from NFL Combine and compared to peers at the same workout. Results: During the eight years analyzed 51 separate NFL players suffered a total of 55 pectoralis major ruptures. Defensive players accounted for 82% (42 of 51) of the injured players. The ruptures happened at the average age of 26±1 years, and 76.4% (42 of 55) of them occurred during games. After the rupture, 87.3% (48 of 55) required surgery, while definitive treatment could not be determined for the remaining seven injuries. For athletes that received playing time before injury and had their rupture occur prior to the most recent 2017 season, 85.4% (41 of 48) returned to play in a game. When comparing athletes at the combine who later ruptured their pectoralis major to peers at their position, those who tore their pectoralis major tendon on-average ranked in the 63 rd percentile for bench press (N=40), 50th percentile for arm length (N=14), and 52nd percentile for 20-yard shuttle (N=20). When the NFL suspension records were examined, only 5.9% (3 of 51) of players with a pectoralis major rupture had been suspended for (performance-enhancing drug) PED use before or after the injury. Conclusion: The total number of pectoralis major ruptures has drastically risen from 10 cases between 2000-2010 to 55 cases from 2010-2017. The reason behind this increase remain uncertain but appears to be independent of relative strength, agility, and arm length, and suspension for PED use.

scholarly journals Return to Play and Performance After Primary ACL Reconstruction in American Football Players: A Systematic Review

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 232596712095965
Author(s):  
Bailey J. Ross ◽  
Ian Savage-Elliott ◽  
Symone M. Brown ◽  
Mary K. Mulcahey
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Acl Injury ◽  
Performance Level ◽  
American Football ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Cochrane Central Register ◽  
And Performance

Background: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common sports-related injuries, and they can have a negative impact on players’ ability to return to play (RTP). There is a paucity of literature focused on RTP after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) in collision sports. Purpose: To characterize the impact that an ACL injury has on the ability to RTP and the post-ACLR performance level in American football players. Study Design: Systematic review; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: An electronic search was performed using the following databases: the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, Embase, and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature. Included studies were written in English; were published since the year 2000; examined only American football players; and reported on RTP, performance, and/or career length after primary ACLR. Results: The initial search yielded 442 unique studies. Of these, 427 were removed after screening, leaving 15 studies that met inclusion criteria. An additional 2 studies were identified in these studies’ references, yielding a total of 17. The rate of RTP after ACLR for football players was 67.2% (1249/1859), and the mean time to return was 11.6 months (range, 35.8-55.8 weeks). Although considerable heterogeneity existed in the study design and outcomes measured, in general, a majority of football players experienced greater declines from their preinjury performance level than controls over the same time period. Conclusion: An ACL injury negatively affected football players’ ability to RTP and their post-ACLR performance. The degree of effect varied by several factors, including playing position, preinjury performance level, and National Football League Draft round. These results may be used by physicians and football players to develop reasonable expectations for returning to play and performance after an ACL injury.

MRI characteristics of adductor longus lesions in professional football players and prognostic factors for return to play

2018 ◽  
Vol 108 ◽  
pp. 52-58 ◽  
Author(s):  
G. Pezzotta ◽  
A. Pecorelli ◽  
G. Querques ◽  
S. Biancardi ◽  
C. Morzenti ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prognostic Factors ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Mri Characteristics ◽  
Adductor Longus

scholarly journals Percutaneous needle electrolysis and exercise reduce the time for return to competition after an injury to the hamstrings: Two cases in professional football players

2019 ◽  
Vol 02 (02) ◽  
pp. 121-122 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiménez Rubio S. ◽  
Valera Garrido F. ◽  
Minaya Muñoz F. ◽  
Navandar A.
Keyword(s):  
Combined Treatment ◽  
Exercise Program ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Lower Limbs ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Football Players ◽  
Professional Football ◽  
Intervention Protocol ◽  
Functional Exercise ◽  
Return To Competition

Abstract Background and Aims Percutaneous needle electrolysis has shown to be effective for the treatment of chronic tendinopathies, however, the scientific evidence available regarding acute muscle lesions is scarce. Lesions to the hamstrings caused by indirect mechanisms represent the most common muscle lesion in football (its incidence increases each year) with a high rate of recurrence. The aim was to evaluate whether the application of percutaneous needle electrolysis and a program of functional exercise decreases the times for return to competition after an injury to the hamstrings in athletes, and to compare performance data of subjects during competition before and after the injury. Methods A case series. Two professional football players, belonging to a first league team in Spain with a grade 2 lesion in the semitendinosus muscle on the proximal level. The affected muscle structure was assessed using ultrasound (Logiq GE E9, probe ML6–12) and functionality was evaluated based on data of the Global Positioning System (GPS), comparing the data obtained during the process of re-adaptation with data prior to the lesion. Percutaneous needle electrolysis was performed under ultrasound guidance at 48 hours after the injury following the protocol defined by Valera & Minaya (2:3:5). The indoor recovery of players began 24 hours after the percutaneous needle electrolysis. Initially, the exercise program included activities of mobility and controlled loading. Thereafter, the players completed their readaptation program in the training field with exercises of progressive complexity and intensity (biomechanical patterns and neuromuscular control of the central zone and the lower limbs, sprint). Results Player A returned to competition in 16 days, player B returned in 14 days. No adverse effects were identified during or after the percutaneous needle electrolysis technique. The players only missed one competition game and the process of readaptation allowed them to return to play registering parameters which were similar to the values prior to the lesion, and maintaining the performance during the four matches following the intervention protocol. The players were followed up to eight months after the injury and neither player suffered a relapse during this period, which indicates the complete recovery of the injured muscle both on a structural and functional level. Conclusions The combined treatment using percutaneous needle electrolysis and a functional exercise program reduces the time for return to competition after a grade 2 muscle lesion in the hamstrings, with a level of performance that is similar to prior to the lesion, without relapses, in an 8 month follow up period. The criteria we use to determine when a player can return to train with the team and compete after an acute muscle injury are: the time that has passed since the lesion, structural changes and the ability to perform tasks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document