Musculoskeletal lower limb injuries in Major League Baseball

Abstract

ObjectivesTo explore the epidemiological patterns and musculoskeletal characteristics of lower limb injuries in Major League Baseball (MLB). DesignDescriptive epidemiological study. SettingThe MLB was screened for injuries between 2010 and 2016, inclusive. ParticipantsPlayers that were placed on the Disabled List (DL) and had lower limb injuries. Main outcome measuresOur database entailed the player's position, injury location, injury cause, and time spent on the DL. Analysis of characteristics and mean incidence rates (MIR) were conducted, and P values<0.05 were considered significant (CI 95%). ResultsA total of 3546 injuries were recorded; 1053 injuries (29.7%) affected the lower limbs (n = 1053). On average, 150.4 players per season were placed on the DL for a mean of 45.7 days. Thighs were the most common site of injury, whereas hip injuries had the highest average days on DL (62 days). Fielders had a significantly higher MIR of lower leg injuries when compared to pitchers (P = 0.007) and catchers (P = 0.024), and a significantly higher MIR of foot injuries than that of pitchers (P = 0.035). April was the month with the highest number of injuries (224 injuries, 21.3%). Only 43(4%) injuries required surgical intervention. ConclusionLower limb injuries are increasing in the MLB. Understanding the neuromuscular patterns of injuries will help in extrapolating better prevention policies.