Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in the National Football League:​ epidemiology and current treatment trends among team physicians

Bradley, James P.<sup>1</sup>; Klimkiewicz, John J.<sup>2</sup>; Rytel, Michael J.<sup>3</sup>; Powell, John W.<sup>4</sup>

Affiliations

¹Burke Bradley Orthopedics, University of Pittsburgh Department of Sports Medicine, Pittsburgh PA

²Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington DC

³Greater Pittsburgh Orthopaedic Associates, Pittsburgh PA

⁴MED Sports Systems, Inc., Iowa City, Iowa

Abstract and keywords

Purpose: To review the epidemiology of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in the National Football League (NFL) and current treatment trends within this population.

Type of Study: Descriptive.

Methods: Part 1 of this study reviews the data collected in the NFL Injury Surveillance System from 1986 to 1995 with respect to these injuries. Included in this review are the specifics surrounding these injuries such as exposure type (game versus practice), position, mechanism, and playing surface on which the injury occurred. Part 2 of this analysis focuses on present treatment performed on these high-level athletes through a survey that was sent to and completed by all 31 NFL team orthopaedic surgeons.

Results: The total number of ACL injuries in this select population has remained constant over the period analyzed.

Conclusions: Current preferred treatment technique favors endoscopic patellar tendon autograft reconstruction.

Keywords: Anterior cruciate ligament; Epidemiology; Treatment; Professional athlete

Links

DOI: 10.1053/jars.2002.30649

PubMed: 11987061

WoS: 000175490600009

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