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Int J Sports Med 2017; 38(10): 791-798
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-114862
Orthopedics & Biomechanics
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Subsequent Injuries and Early Recurrent Diagnoses in elite Rugby Union Players

Sean Williams
1   Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Grant Trewartha
2   Health, Bath, University of Bath, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Simon Kemp
3   Rugby Football Union, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Twickenham, London
,
Matthew J. Cross
4   Medical department, Rugby Football Union, Twickenham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
John H. M. Brooks
5   The Population Health Research Institute, St. George’s University of London, London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Colin W. Fuller
6   Colin Fuller Consultancy, Research, Sutton Bonington, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Aileen E. Taylor
7   Karabati Limited, Nottingham, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Keith A. Stokes
1   Department for Health, University of Bath, Bath, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 02 June 2017

Publication Date:
31 July 2017 (online)

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Abstract

An eight-season (2005/06–2012/13) prospective cohort design was used to record time-loss injuries in 15 English Premiership teams. Data pertaining to a total of 1 556 players and 9 597 injuries (8 180 subsequent) were included in the analysis. Injuries subsequent to an index injury were classified as (1) New: different site; (2) Local: same site (and different type); or (3) Recurrent: same site and type. The severity of subsequent injuries (days missed) was compared with their related index injury. The proportions of early (<2 months), late (2–12 months) and delayed (>12 months) subsequent injuries were compared across injury classifications and diagnosis groupings. The majority of subsequent injuries (70%) were classified as new injuries, with 14% local and 16% recurrent. A large proportion of recurrent subsequent injuries (42%) occurred within two months of return-to-play. Subsequent injuries were not more severe than their corresponding index injury (effect sizes <0.20). Specific local and recurrent subsequent injury diagnoses with the highest risk of occurring within two months of return-to-play were: ‘neck muscle strain’, ‘ankle joint capsule sprain’, and ‘cervical nerve root’ injuries. These findings may be used to drive targeted secondary prevention efforts, such as reconsideration of return-to-play protocols for neck muscle strain injuries.

Key words

secondary injury prevention - subsequent injury classification - recurrent injury - re-injury - return to play

Supplementary Material

 

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