scholarly journals The NFL’s Chop-Block Rule Change: Does It Prevent Knee Injuries in Defensive Players?

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 232596711876844 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hayden P. Baker ◽  
Antonios Varelas ◽  
Kevin Shi ◽  
Michael A. Terry ◽  
Vehniah K. Tjong
Keyword(s):  
Relative Risk ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Competitive Game ◽  
Rule Change ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
The Impact

Background: The chop block, a football maneuver in which an offensive player blocks an opponent around the thigh while another offensive player engages the same opponent above the waist, was declared illegal by the National Football League (NFL) before the 2016-2017 season. Chop blocks have been hypothesized to be associated with medial collateral ligament and anterior cruciate ligament injury, especially in offensive/defensive linemen. Purpose: To quantify the impact that the chop-block rule change had on the incidence of knee injuries to defensive players in the NFL over 4 seasons (2014-2018). Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: NFL injury data for all defensive players from regular-season games played from 2014 through 2018 were collected. For this study, all knee injuries were attributed to competitive game play. Injury rates were reported as the number of injuries per 1000 athletic exposures (with 95% CIs). Results: A total of 256 games were played during the 2014-2015, 2015-2016, 2016-2017, and 2017-2018 NFL regular seasons, and all were included in this study. Among defensive players, the relative risk for a knee injury per 1000 athletic exposures was 0.84 (95% CI, 0.75-0.96) for the 2 seasons after the chop-block rule change (2016-2017 and 2017-2018) versus the 2 seasons before (2014-2015 and 2015-2016) ( P = .009). Thus, the relative risk reduction was 16%. The relative risk for a defensive player to be placed on injured reserve per season was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.72-1.13) for the 2 seasons after the rule change versus the 2 seasons before ( P = .39). Conclusion: The NFL’s recent ruling against in-game chop blocks may have reduced the incidence of knee injuries among defensive players.

Performance-Based Outcomes After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Professional Athletes Differ Between Sports

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (10) ◽  
pp. 2226-2232 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harry T. Mai ◽  
Danielle S. Chun ◽  
Andrew D. Schneider ◽  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Ryan D. Freshman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
The Other ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Professional Athletes ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Performance Statistics ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: Excellent outcomes have been reported for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) in professional athletes in a number of different sports. However, no study has directly compared these outcomes between sports. Purpose: To determine if differences in performance-based outcomes exist after ACLR between professional athletes of each sport. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: National Football League (NFL), National Basketball Association (NBA), National Hockey League (NHL), and Major League Baseball (MLB) athletes undergoing primary ACLR for an acute rupture were identified through an established protocol of injury reports and public archives. Sport-specific performance statistics were collected before and after surgery for each athlete. Return to play (RTP) was defined as a successful return to the active roster for at least 1 regular-season game after ACLR. Results: Of 344 professional athletes who met the inclusion criteria, a total of 298 (86.6%) returned to play. NHL players had a significantly higher rate of RTP (95.8% vs 83.4%, respectively; P = .04) and a shorter recovery time (258 ± 110 days vs 367 ± 268 days, respectively; P < .001) than athletes in all the other sports. NFL athletes experienced significantly shorter careers postoperatively than players in all the other sports (2.1 vs 3.2 years, respectively; P < .001). All athletes played fewer games ( P ≤ .02) 1 season postoperatively, while those in the NFL had the lowest rate of active players 2 and 3 seasons postoperatively (60%; P = .002). NBA and NFL players showed decreased performance at season 1 after ACLR ( P ≤ .001). NFL players continued to have lower performance at seasons 2 and 3 ( P = .002), while NBA players recovered to baseline performance. Conclusion: The data indicate that NFL athletes fare the worst after ACLR with the lowest survival rate, shortest postoperative career length, and sustained decreases in performance. NHL athletes fare the best with the highest rates of RTP, highest survival rates, longest postoperative career lengths, and no significant changes in performance. The unique physical demand that each sport requires is likely one of the explanations for these differences in outcomes.

scholarly journals Variables Affecting Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in the National Football League

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (10) ◽  
pp. 232596711667011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel D. Eisenstein ◽  
Nathaniel L. Rawicki ◽  
Nicholas J. Rensing ◽  
Nicholas A. Kusnezov ◽  
Joseph T. Lanzi
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury ◽  
National Football League ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

scholarly journals EPIDEMIOLOGY OF ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT INJURY IN SOCCER PLAYERS IN THE BRAZILIAN CHAMPIONSHIP

2021 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-48
Author(s):  
CONRADO TAZIMA NITTA ◽  
ARTHUR RODRIGUES BALDAN ◽  
LUCAS PLENS DE BRITTO COSTA ◽  
MOISES COHEN ◽  
JORGE ROBERTO PAGURA ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Epidemiological Data ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Online Data ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate and collect epidemiological data on injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in professional soccer players of the Brazilian Championship. Methods: Transversal study, with information extracted from the online data platform www.transfermrkt.com.br (Transfermarkt GmbH & Co. KG), with 5 seasons (2015 - 2019) of the Brazilian championship series A and B being analyzed and revised by 3 researchers. Results: 52 injuries of the anterior cruciate ligament were detected, with a mean age of 26,3 years, time off due to injury of 244.5 ±31.6 days, regardless of the division. Forwarders and defenders had the highest incidences of injury without statistically significant difference, but they had greater chances than goalkeepers, left/right backs and midfielders. Conclusion: The incidence of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee in professional football players in the first and second divisions of the Brazilian soccer championship between 2015 and 2019 is 0.414 per 1,000 hours of play, a value similar to described in the literature. The incidence of the injury varies according to the player’s field position, being the forwarders and defenders the most injured players. Level of Evidence II, Retrospective study.

scholarly journals RETURN TO PLAY AFTER ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 478-486
Author(s):  
Rodrigo A. Goes ◽  
Victor R. A. Cossich ◽  
Bráulio R. França ◽  
André Siqueira Campos ◽  
Gabriel Garcez A. Souza ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Ligament Reconstruction ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Return To Play ◽  
Joint Stability ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Strength Assessment ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

ABSTRACT The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear represents more than half of all knee injuries in sports that involve body rotations and sudden changes of direction. Discharging the athlete for return to play (RTP) post-ACL reconstruction (ACLR) is a difficult task with multidisciplinary responsibility. For many years, a six-month period post-ACLR was adopted as the only criterion for RTP. However, it is now suggested that RTP should not be exclusively time-based, but to clinical data and systematic assessments. Despite the importance of post-ACLR factors for RTP, pre- and peri-ACLR factors must also be considered. Historically, ACLR is performed with the hamstring or autologous patellar tendons, although the choice of graft is still an open and constantly evolving theme. Anterolateral ligament reconstruction and repair of meniscal ramp tear associated with ACLR have recently been suggested as strategies for improving knee joint stability. Subjective questionnaires are easy to apply, and help identify physical or psychological factors that can hamper RTP. Functional tests, such as hop tests and strength assessment by means of isokinetic dynamometers, are fundamental tools for decision making when associated with clinical evaluation and magnetic resonance imaging. Recently, the capacity to generate force explosively has been incorporated into the muscle strength assessment. This is quantified through the rate of torque development (RTD). Due to characteristics inherent to the practice of sport, there is an extremely short time available for produce strength. Thus, RTD seems to better represent athletic demands than the maximum strength assessment alone. This review investigates the pre-, peri- and post-ACLR factors established in the literature, and shares our clinical practice, which we consider to be best practice for RTP. Level of evidence V; Specialist opinion.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction versus Nonoperative Treatment: Better Function and Less Secondary Meniscectomies But No Difference in Knee Osteoarthritis—A Meta-Analysis

Cartilage ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (1_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1658S-1670S
Author(s):  
Marco Cuzzolin ◽  
Davide Previtali ◽  
Stefano Zaffagnini ◽  
Luca Deabate ◽  
Christian Candrian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Nonoperative Treatment ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Knee Oa ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
The Impact

Objectives The impact of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction on knee osteoarthritis (OA) is still unclear. The aim of the current meta-analysis was to compare surgical treatment versus nonoperative management of ACL tears to assess the impact of these approaches on knee OA development at a 5 and 10 years of follow-up. Design A meta-analysis was performed after a systematic literature search (May 2021) was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Both randomized and nonrandomized comparative studies with more than 5 years of follow-up were selected. Influence of the treatment was assessed in terms of knee OA development, subjective and objective clinical results, activity level, and risk of further surgeries. Risk of bias and quality of evidence were assessed following the Cochrane guidelines. Results Twelve studies matched the inclusion criteria, for a total of 1,004 patients. Level of evidence was rated low to very low. No difference was documented in terms of knee OA development, Tegner score, subjective International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), and Lysholm scores. A significant difference favoring the surgical treatment in comparison with a nonsurgical approach was observed in terms of objective IKDC score ( P = 0.03) and risk of secondary meniscectomy ( P < 0.0001). The level of evidence was considered very low for subjective IKDC, low for knee OA development, objective IKDC, number of secondary meniscectomies, and Lysholm score, and moderate for post-op Tegner score. Conclusions The meta-analysis did not support an advantage of ACL reconstruction in terms of OA prevention in comparison with a nonoperative treatment. Moreover, no differences were reported for subjective results and activity level at 5 and 10 years of follow-up. On the contrary, patients who underwent surgical treatment of their ACL tear presented important clinical findings in terms of better objective knee function and a lower rate of secondary meniscectomies when compared with conservatively managed patents. Protocol Registration: CRD420191156483 (PROSPERO)

scholarly journals The Top 100 Most Cited Articles on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Bibliometric Analysis

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 232596712097637
Author(s):  
Ning Tang ◽  
Wenchao Zhang ◽  
Daniel M. George ◽  
Yang Su ◽  
Tianlong Huang
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Acl Reconstruction ◽  
Sports Medicine ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Anatomic Reconstruction ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Background: The concept of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) has become widely accepted, gaining increased attention in recent years and resulting in many research achievements in this field. Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine which original articles on ACLR have been most influential in this field by identifying and analyzing the characteristics of the 100 most cited articles. Study Design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: Articles on ACLR were identified via the Thomson ISI Web of Science database on November 30, 2019. The 100 most cited articles were identified based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. The data extracted from each article for the subsequent analysis included title, date of publication, total citations, average citations per year (ACY), journal name, first author, institutions, themes, level of evidence, and keywords. Results: The total number of citations was 29,629. The date of publication ranged from 1975 to 2015. A majority of the articles originated from the United States (58%) and were published in the 1990s (32%) and 2000s (48%). The mean ACY was 18.43 ± 9.51. Of the selected articles, nearly one-half were published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine (42%). The most prolific co-author and first author were Freddie H. Fu (n = 13) and K. Donald Shelbourne (n = 5), respectively. The most productive institution was the University of Pittsburgh (14%). Material comparison (19%) and technique comparison (16%) were the 2 most popular themes. More than one-quarter of articles were level 4 evidence (37%). Moreover, the keywords ACL, ACL reconstruction, ACL rupture, knee joint, knee injuries, and human showed the highest degree of centrality. Conclusion: By analyzing the characteristics of articles, this study demonstrated that ACLR is a growing and popular area of research, with the focus of research varying through timeline trends. Studies on anatomic reconstruction and biomechanics might be areas of future trends.

scholarly journals Valoración funcional en pacientes intervenidos mediante plastia de LCA con semitendinoso-recto interno y sistema Togglelock.

2020 ◽  
pp. 108-113
Author(s):  
Patricia DESCALZO-PÉREZ ◽  
DAMIAN MIFSUT-MIEDES ◽  
JUAN RAMON RODRIGUEZ-COLLELL ◽  
ANTONIO LOPEZ-SANCHEZ ◽  
Antonio SILVESTRE-MUÑOZ
Keyword(s):  
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Knee Injuries ◽  
Clinical History ◽  
Functional Results ◽  
Subjective Assessment ◽  
Surgical Reconstruction ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Anterior Cruciate ◽  
Minimal Reduction

Introduction: One of the most frequent knee injuries and one that is on the increase, especially in sports, is the anterior cruciate ligament injury. Surgical reconstruction is essential to recover the biomechanics of the knee, provide correct stability and pain-free function, as well as toavoid early degenerative changes. The objective of the present study was to assess the functional recovery of patients undergoing reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament by means of ligamentoplasty with semitendinosus- internal rectus tendon and Toggelock system. Material and methods: A retrospective descriptive observational study was designed, which included 29 patients who underwent a ligamentoplasty with internal semitendinosus-rectum and Togglelock system in our Center, during the years 2017-2018. Variables obtained from the clinical history and the Lysholm scale were studied to assess the patients. Results: In total, a sample of 29 patients was obtained, 26 men and 3 women with a mean age of 31.13 years (range 19-53). The most frequently injured knee was the right knee in 17 patients out of 29, with 65% presenting associated injuries. One patient had suffered a tibial fracture operated with an intramedullary nail that altered the final results. The postsurgical score on the Lysholm subjective assessment scale was 86. The mobility of the operated knee showed a minimal reduction in flexion of 6º compared to the non-operated knee that was statistically significant. Conclusion: The results obtained after ACL reconstruction with this technique, using the semitendinosus- internal rectum plasty and the Togglelock system were good-excellent, with a high degree of patient satisfaction, few complications, and notable functional results.

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