Predictive Value of Prior Injury on Career in Professional American Football is Affected by Player Position

Abstract

The significant injuries and diagnoses appear congruent with the position-specific demands placed on the athletes. This information is useful to physicians and athletic trainers caring for college football athletes as well as those assessing these athletes at the National Football League Combine.

Management of spondylolysis and low-grade spondylolisthesis in fine athletes. A comprehensive review

“…Among the general population, low back pain (LBP) is a common symptom seen in 50-80 % at any given time [9]. Published rates of low back pain in athletes range from 1 to [30 % and are influenced by sport type, gender, training intensity, training frequency, player position and technique [10][11][12][13][14]. Lysis and olisthesis must be early diagnosed and appropriately treated by means of conservative and/or operative treatment according to the athlete's demands and professional obligations and contracts.…”

Common Injuries in Professional Football Quarterbacks

“…Of all quarterbacks with instability, 16 athletes required surgical stabilization with 8 of those eventually playing in the NFL. Albeit a small sample size, the authors concluded that there was no significant relationship between shoulder instability and/or surgical stabilization on career length [11]. Kaplan and colleagues also reported on a similar population [4].…”

“…Conversely, anterior instability is fairly common among all elite football players, particularly linebackers and defensive backs, with an overall prevalence of approximately 20% [4]. Brophy and colleagues [11] evaluated athletes from the NFL Combine and noted that only 27/322 quarterbacks reported a history of shoulder instability, 13 of which went on to play in the NFL. Of all quarterbacks with instability, 16 athletes required surgical stabilization with 8 of those eventually playing in the NFL.…”

“…Upper extremity fractures can potentially impact the ability of the quarterback to play at the professional level. Brophy and colleagues [11] reported on 11 quarterbacks at the NFL Combine with a history of forearm fractures. Of the quarterbacks included, only one went on to play in the NFL [11].…”

Management of Carpal Instability in Athletes

“…3 A recent review of 870 prospective professional football offensive linemen evaluated at the National Football League combine found 18 players had a history of carpal fractures with a range of severity and treatment modalities. 4 Carpal fractures, ligament injury, and resulting carpal instability represent a spectrum of injuries to the wrist in the athletic patient, both in the acute traumatic setting and in the more chronic overuse syndromes.…”