Abstract
BackgroundCurrently, it is not known how the combined osseous and ligamentous injury of a traumatic elbow dislocation in a National Football League (NFL) athlete affects management and return to play. In this study, we aimed to describe the epidemiology, management, and return to play for elbow dislocations in NFL athletes.MethodologyThis is a descriptive observational study. A retrospective review of all elbow dislocations between 2000 and 2014 (15 seasons) was performed using the NFL Injury Surveillance System (NFLISS).ResultsOver 15 NFL seasons, 82 elbow dislocations were recorded in the NFLISS. Among players who reported surgery (n = 5), players missed an average of 73.8 days of play. Among those who did not report surgery, players missed an average of 36.1 days. The overall incidence was 0.26 dislocation events per 10,000 athlete exposures. The majority of these injuries occurred during regular-season games, in defensive linebackers and linemen, during tackling contact with another player, and most commonly on a running play.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates that an elbow dislocation is not a career-ending or season-ending injury in an NFL cohort. Information regarding incidence, positions affected, whether surgical management is utilized, and return to play will help players who sustain and physicians who treat these injuries in elite football athletes understand the impact of their injuries.
Highlights
This study demonstrates that an elbow dislocation is not a career-ending or season-ending injury in an National Football League (NFL) cohort
In active National Football League (NFL) athletes, elbow dislocations account for 5% of all upper extremity injuries and 17.6% of all elbow injuries [1]
The purpose of our study is to determine the incidence of elbow dislocations among NFL athletes; to determine the rates of surgical and nonsurgical management of these injuries; and to compare the time missed for injuries treated nonoperatively versus the time missed for injuries requiring surgical intervention
Summary
In active National Football League (NFL) athletes, elbow dislocations account for 5% of all upper extremity injuries and 17.6% of all elbow injuries [1]. Very little is known regarding the characteristics and management of elbow dislocations in any professional athletic cohort [6]. The main secondary stabilizers include the radiocapitellar joint, the joint capsule, and the extensor and flexor musculotendinous masses [7]. It is not known how the combined osseous and ligamentous injury of a traumatic elbow dislocation in a National Football League (NFL) athlete affects management and return to play. We aimed to describe the epidemiology, management, and return to play for elbow dislocations in NFL athletes
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