Citation

Takazawa Y, Nagayama M, Saita Y, Kawasaki T, Kaneko K. Phys. Sportsmed. 2015; 44(1): 53-58.

Affiliation

a Department of Orthopaedics , Juntendo University School of Medicine , Tokyo , Japan.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

10.1080/00913847.2016.1116362

PMID

26559443

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: Over an 11-year period, we investigated the incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and the clinical outcomes after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts in two homogenous cohorts of rugby players.

METHODS: Two teams, including those in elite (94 players) and high school (290 players) clubs, were followed.

RESULTS: Isolated ACL injuries occurred in 28 players (12 elite, 16 high school). The incidence during match play was 1.26 per 1000 player-hours (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.48-2.05) among elite players and 0.97 per 1000 player-hours (95% CI, 0.30-1.64) among high school players. After ACL reconstruction, 26 players (12 elite, 14 high school) were successfully contacted for follow-up at a mean of 71.9 months. None (0%) of the elite and 4 (29%) of the high school players experienced graft ruptures. Seven (58%) elite and 10 (91%) high school players were fearful of re-injury; the mean time to overcome this fear was 6.1 ± 4.9 months among elite players and 17.5 ± 26.0 months among high school players.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion, young rugby players experienced inferior outcomes after ACL reconstruction with hamstring autografts compared with their older counterparts.

Language: en