scholarly journals Hamstring Graft Harvest Side Does Not Affect Performance or RTS Rates and Does Not Increase Risk for Future Hamstring Injuries Following UCL Reconstruction in Professional Baseball Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0037
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Christopher S. Ahmad ◽  
...  

Objectives: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a successful procedure in professional baseball players. It is unclear if hamstring tendon harvest side for UCLR alters a player’s risk of subsequent hamstring injuries. The purpose of this study was to compare, performance, return to sport (RTS) rate, and injury rates between professional baseball players with a history of UCLR using an ipsilateral (drive leg) hamstring autograft to those with UCLR using contralateral (landing leg) hamstring autograft. The authors’ hypothesized that players with prior UCLR using ipsilateral (drive leg) hamstring autograft will have the same RTS rate and performance upon RTS, but higher number of subsequent lower extremity injuries than those using contralateral (landing leg) hamstring autograft. Methods: All players between 2010-2015 who underwent UCLR using hamstring autograft were included. Surgical details of their procedure were recorded using operative reports. Players with a hamstring UCLR were compared within group to compare grafts taken from the drive leg vs. landing leg. Results: Overall, 191 players underwent UCLR using hamstring autograft (58 [30%] landing/contralateral and 133 [70%] ipsilateral/drive leg). The docking technique was more common in the contralateral/landing leg group while the figure-of-8 technique was more common in the ipsilateral/drive leg group (p>0.001). More patients in the ipsilateral/drive leg group underwent concomitant treatment of the ulnar nerve than the contralateral/landing leg group (p<0.001). No difference existed in return to sport (RTS) rates, or timing of RTS between groups. No differences in subsequent ipsilateral or contralateral hamstring injuries between players who underwent UCLR using hamstring from the ipsilateral/drive leg or contralateral/landing leg was seen (p=1.000; p=0.460 respectively). No difference in overall upper or lower extremity injury rates existed between groups. Conclusion: No difference in RTS rate, performance upon RTS, or subsequent hamstring, lower extremity, or upper extremity injury rates existed between players who underwent UCLR using hamstring autograft from the ipsilateral/drive or contralateral/landing leg.

2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 1111-1116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter N. Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Christopher S. Ahmad ◽  
...  

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a successful procedure among professional baseball pitchers. It is unclear if hamstring tendon harvest side for UCLR affects the outcome or alters the risk for subsequent hamstring injury. Hypothesis: Players with prior UCLR with ipsilateral (drive leg) hamstring autograft will have the same return-to-sport (RTS) rate and performance upon RTS but a higher number of subsequent lower extremity injuries than those with contralateral (landing leg) hamstring autograft. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All players between 2010 and 2015 who underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft were included. Surgical details of their procedures were recorded from operative reports. Outcomes for UCLR with hamstring autograft harvested from the drive leg were compared with UCLR with the graft harvested from the landing leg. Results: Overall, 191 players underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft (drive leg, n = 58, 30%; landing leg, n = 133, 70%). The docking technique was more common in the drive leg group, while the figure-of-8 technique was more common in the landing leg group ( P > .001). More patients in the landing leg group underwent concomitant treatment of the ulnar nerve than the drive leg group ( P < .001). No difference existed in RTS rates or timing of RTS between groups. No differences in subsequent ipsilateral or contralateral hamstring injuries occurred between players who underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft from the drive leg or the landing leg ( P≥ .999 and P = .460, respectively). No difference in overall upper or lower extremity injury rates existed between groups (all P > .05), and no difference in performance metrics existed between groups upon RTS. Conclusion: No difference in RTS rate, performance upon RTS, or subsequent injury rates (hamstring, lower extremity, or upper extremity) existed between players who underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft whether the graft came from the drive or the landing leg.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (6) ◽  
pp. 1473-1479 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter N. Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Joshua S. Dines ◽  
...  

Background: Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) is a successful procedure in professional baseball players. It is unclear whether graft choice affects results. Purpose: Determine performance and rate of return to sport (RTS) in professional baseball players after UCLR and compare performance and RTS rate, as well as injury rates, between players who underwent UCLR with hamstring versus palmaris autograft. Hypothesis: A high RTS rate exists in professional baseball players after UCLR, with no significant difference in injury rates, RTS rates, or performance specifically related to primary outcome performance variables—WHIP ([walks + hits]/innings pitched), fielding independent pitching (FIP), and wins above replacement (WAR)—between those who undergo UCLR with palmaris versus hamstring autograft. Study Design: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft between 2010 and 2015 were included. Surgical details were gathered from operative reports. Players with hamstring UCLR were compared with a matched control group of players who underwent UCLR with palmaris autograft. Results: Overall, 195 players underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft. No differences in RTS rates or timing to RTS were found between the hamstring and palmaris groups. Significantly more subsequent injuries to the contralateral lower extremity were seen in the hamstring group versus the palmaris group (25 vs 13, respectively) ( P = .040). More subsequent injuries to the upper extremity were found in the palmaris group versus the hamstring group (73 vs 55, respectively), although this difference was not significant ( P = .052). No consistent differences in performance metrics upon RTS existed between hamstring and palmaris groups, although both groups significantly declined in many performance metrics after surgery. Both hamstring and palmaris groups showed a decline postoperatively in WAR (0.86 vs 0.35 and 1.23 vs 0.34, respectively) and WHIP (1.33 vs 1.44 and 1.36 vs 1.51, respectively); FIP did not decline (4.56 vs 5.27 and 4.51 vs 4.53, respectively). No significant difference in WAR, WHIP, or FIP existed between groups postoperatively. Conclusion: Baseball players who underwent UCLR with hamstring autograft were more likely to sustain a subsequent lower extremity injury, whereas those who underwent UCLR with palmaris autograft had a trend toward sustaining more upper extremity injuries. No difference in performance or RTS rates existed between groups. Both groups significantly declined in WAR and WHIP after UCLR.


2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (10) ◽  
pp. 2489-2498
Author(s):  
Kristi Hultman ◽  
Patrick F. Szukics ◽  
Adrienne Grzenda ◽  
Frank C. Curriero ◽  
Steven B. Cohen

Background: Gastrocnemius injuries are a common lower extremity injury in elite baseball players. There are no current epidemiological studies focused on gastrocnemius injuries in professional baseball players that provide information on the timing, distribution, and characteristics of such injuries. Hypothesis: Gastrocnemius injury in professional baseball players is a common injury that is influenced by factors such as age, player position, and time of season. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiological study. Methods: Based on Major League Baseball’s (MLB’s) Health and Injury Tracking System (HITS) database, gastrocnemius injuries that caused time out of play for MLB and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players during the 2011-2016 seasons were identified. Player characteristics, including age, level of play, and position at time of injury, were collected. Injury-specific factors analyzed included date of injury, time of season, days missed, and activity leading to injury. Results: A total of 402 gastrocnemius injuries (n = 145, MLB; n = 257, MiLB) occurred during the 2011-2016 seasons. MLB players were significantly older at the time of injury (30.1 years, MLB; 23.9 years, MiLB; P < .001). Base running (36.1%) was the most common activity causing the injury, followed by fielding (23.6%), with 50.3% of base-running injuries sustained on the way to first base. In MLB players, gastrocnemius injuries were most common in infielders (48.3%), followed by pitchers (27.6%) and then outfielders (17.9%), while for MiLB players the injuries were more evenly distributed (33.5%, 28.8%, and 30.7%, respectively). The frequency of injuries in MLB players dropped off after the start of the regular season, whereas MiLB players had a consistent injury rate throughout the year. Conclusion: Gastrocnemius injuries are a common cause of lower extremity injury in professional baseball players, resulting in significant time out of play. Base running, particularly to first base, was the most common activity during injury. Outfielders had the fewest injuries; however, they required the longest time to recover. This study provides the first investigation to date with the HITS database to examine the characteristics and distribution of gastrocnemius injuries in professional baseball players, offering insight into risk factors, injury prevention, and recovery expectations.


2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (7_suppl4) ◽  
pp. 2325967118S0016
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Anthony A. Romeo

Background: Isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition is an uncommon surgery amongst professional baseball players. Purpose: To determine the rate of return to sport (RTS) and performance upon RTS in professional baseball players following isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition, including those who required an ulnar nerve transposition/decompression following ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR), and to determine if outcomes differ between players with isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition and matched controls. Hypothesis: There is a high rate of RTS in professional baseball players undergoing isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition with no significant difference in RTS rate or performance (specifically related to the primary outcome performance variables of earned run average (ERA), WHIP ((walks +hits)/innings pitched), wins above replacement (WAR), and on base + slugging percentage (OPS)) between cases and controls. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent isolated ulnar nerve decompression/transposition between 2010-2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (pre and post surgery) for each player was recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and a group of matched controls. Results: Overall 52 players, 83% pitchers (14 who underwent prior UCLR) were included. Most surgeries (92%) were anterior subcutaneous transpositions. Overall, 62% of players were able to successfully RTS and 56% returned to the same or a higher level. There was no significant difference between cases and controls in the majority of performance metrics pre-operative or post-operatively, specifically ERA, WHIP, WAR, and OPS. When players who had a UCLR prior to their ulnar nerve transposition/decompression were compared to controls with a history of a UCLR but who did not go on to have an ulnar nerve transposition/decompression, the only performance difference of all the recorded metrics was cases allowed more walks per 9 innings (4.4 vs. 2.8; p=0.011). Conclusion: Anterior subcutaneous transposition is the most common surgery in professional baseball players to address ulnar nerve compression. Players have a 62% rate of RTS. Upon RTS, players performance compared to matched controls remains the same in the majority of performance metrics including ERA, WHIP, WAR, and OPS. Post-operatively, pitchers with a UCLR prior to ulnar nerve transposition/decompression performed the same as matched controls with prior UCLR.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 232596712110525
Author(s):  
Ali S. Farooqi ◽  
Alexander Lee ◽  
Eric Abreu ◽  
Divya Talwar ◽  
Kathleen J. Maguire

Background: Baseball and softball are popular sports in the United States and are responsible for a large number of youth sports injuries each year. Purpose: To investigate recent differences in youth baseball and softball injuries evaluated in nationwide emergency departments. Study Design: Descriptive epidemiology study. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database was examined for softball and baseball injuries in pediatric patients (age, 7-21 years) from 2010 through 2019. Patients were classified as children (age, 7-13 years), adolescents (age, 14-18 years), or young adults (age, 19-21 years). Case narratives were used to categorize injuries as contact injuries (hit by bat or ball), field injuries (sliding into base, collision with another player, catching, or running), throwing injuries, or other. Results: An unweighted total of 24,717 baseball injuries and 13,162 softball injuries were recorded. A nationwide estimate of 861,456 baseball injuries and 511,117 softball injuries were sustained during the studied time period, with estimated respective injury rates of 86,146 and 51,112 per year. Injured softball players were most commonly adolescent (47%) and female (92%), while injured baseball players were most commonly children (54%) and male (90%). There was a greater proportion of baseball-related injuries involving the head/neck (41%) as compared with softball-related injuries (30%) ( P < .01). Conversely, a greater proportion of softball-related injuries involved the lower extremity (32%) as compared with baseball-related injuries (19%) ( P < .01). When comparing diagnosis, softball injuries were more often sprains/strains (28%) than baseball injuries (18%) ( P < .01). When comparing mechanisms of injury, baseball athletes were more likely to be evaluated with contact injuries than were softball athletes (49% vs 40%, P < .01). Conclusion: Youth baseball athletes were more likely to be injured through contact mechanisms and had a higher proportion of injuries related to the head/neck/face, whereas softball injuries more frequently involved the lower extremity and resulted in a sprain/strain. League guidelines should focus on reducing contact injuries within youth baseball, and injury-prevention programs should focus on reducing lower extremity injuries in youth softball.


2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 481-487
Author(s):  
Justin M. Chan ◽  
John Zajac ◽  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
David W. Altchek ◽  
Christopher Camp ◽  
...  

Background: Loss of upper and lower extremity range of motion (ROM) is a significant risk factor for injuries in professional baseball players. Purpose/Hypothesis: The purpose was to determine changes in ROM in professional baseball players over the course of a single season and their careers. We hypothesized that pitchers and position players would lose ROM, specifically total shoulder motion (total ROM [TROM]) and hip internal rotation (IR), over the course of a season and their careers. Study Design: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. Methods: Upper and lower extremity ROM measurements were recorded during pre-, mid-, and postseason on all professional baseball players for a single organization between 2011 and 2018. ROM measurements were compared for pitchers and position players over the course of the season and their careers. Also, ROM measurements over the pre-, mid-, and postseason were compared between pitchers and position players. Results: A total of 166 professional baseball players (98 pitchers, 68 position players) were included. Pitcher hip external rotation (ER; P < .001), IR ( P = .010), and TROM ( P < .001) for lead and trail legs decreased over the course of the season. Pitcher shoulder ER ( P = .005), TROM ( P = .042), and horizontal adduction ( P < .001) significantly increased over the course of the season. Position player shoulder flexion ( P = .046), hip ER ( P < .001, lead leg; P < .001, trail leg), and hip TROM ( P = .001; P = .002) decreased over the course of the season. Position player shoulder ER ( P = .031) and humeral adduction ( P < .001) significantly increased over the course of the season. Over the course of pitchers’ careers, there was decreased shoulder IR ( P = .014), increased shoulder horizontal adduction ( P < .001), and hip IR ( P = .042) and hip TROM ( P = .027) for the lead leg. Position players experienced loss of hip TROM ( P = .010, lead leg; P = .018, trail leg) over the course of their careers. Pitchers started with and maintained more shoulder ER and gained more shoulder TROM over a season as compared with position players. Conclusion: Pitchers and position players saw overall decreases in hip ROM but increases in shoulder ROM over the course of the season and career.


2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (7_suppl5) ◽  
pp. 2325967119S0037
Author(s):  
Brandon J. Erickson ◽  
Peter Nissen Chalmers ◽  
John D’Angelo ◽  
Kevin Ma ◽  
Anthony A. Romeo

Objectives: The results of open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of stress reactions and fractures of the olecranon in professional baseball players with regards to return to sport (RTS) are unknown. The purpose was to determine the RTS rate and performance in professional baseball players following ORIF of acute, displaced olecranon fractures and olecranon stress fractures, and to compare RTS rate and performance to matched controls. The authors hypothesized that there is a high rate of RTS in professional baseball players following ORIF of acute, displaced olecranon fractures and olecranon stress fractures with no significant difference in rate of RTS or performance, specifically related to the primary outcome performance variables of win-loss percentage (W-L%), WHIP ((walks +hits)/innings pitched), fielding independent pitching (FIP), and wins above replacement (WAR)) between cases and controls between cases and controls. Methods: All professional baseball players who underwent ORIF of the olecranon between 2010-2016 were included. Demographic and performance data (pre and post surgery) for each player was recorded. Performance metrics were then compared between cases and a group of matched controls. Results: Overall, 52 professional baseball players (average age 22.6 +/- 3.6 years) underwent ORIF of an olecranon fracture. The majority of players sustained a primary olecranon stress fracture (73%), that was fixed with one screw (60%), with a RTS rate of 67.5%. No difference in RTS rate existed between matched controls and the players. No significant difference existed between the primary preoperative and postoperative performance (change in performance) metrics for pitchers who underwent ORIF of an acute, displaced olecranon fracture or ORIF of a primary olecranon stress fracture. No significant difference existed between pitchers who underwent ORIF of a primary olecranon stress fracture and matched controls in any of the primary performance metrics. Conclusion: Professional baseball players who undergo ORIF of an olecranon fracture (either acute, displaced or stress fracture) have a RTS rate of 67.5%, which is no different than natural attrition from matched controls. No decline in performance metrics is seen in players who are able to RTS when compared to their preoperative performance, or to the performance of matched controls.


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