Facial Fractures and the National Basketball Association: Epidemiology and Outcomes

Abstract

Objectives/Hypothesis: To identify the epidemiology and impact of facial fractures on player performance and return to play (RTP) in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Study Design: Retrospective case-control series Methods: Fifty-three NBA players who sustained facial fractures between 1984 and 2018 were identified. Players with pre-and postinjury statistics were included in the performance analysis. A control group was matched by age, body mass index (BMI), position, NBA experience, and player efficiency rating. Fisher exact tests and Student t tests were performed to analyze player demographics and performance variables. Results: At the time of injury, the average player's age was 26.17 years, BMI was 24.80 kg/m 2 , and NBA experience was 4.97 years. Players missed an average of 3.77 games and 18.21 days prior to RTP. Forty-eight players (90.6%) did RTP the subsequent season, whereas 43 of those players (81.1%) met inclusion criteria for performance analysis. There was no significant change in performance between pre-and postinjury seasons. Players managed operatively missed significantly more games (8.15 vs. 1.85; P = .034) and days (51.08 vs. 5.53; P = .003) than players managed nonoperatively, whereas performance was not impacted. Average career length following facial fracture was significantly shorter compared to controls (5.14 vs. 6.42 years; P = .010) and a decrease in three-pointer percentage (P = .004) was observed. Conclusions: The majority of players who suffer facial fractures RTP in the NBA and do not experience significant decline in performance following injury. These results should aid physicians caring for basketball players at any level, and may help inform future guidelines for treatment and injury prevention.

A Thirteen-Year Analysis of Facial Fractures among Professional Soccer Players

“…Data from other professional contact sports are consistent with this finding, such as in the management of craniofacial injuries among professional basketball players. 29 Most players (56%) did not undergo surgery, which is contrary to findings from past studies on the management of sports-related maxillofacial fractures. 15,30 However, the subjects in those studies were mostly amateur sports players, and Secanho et al admit that amateur games played without yellow/red cards are often played more violently, possibly leading to more severe fractures.…”

Effects of COVID‐19 on Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Fellowship Training and Director Practices

“…This supports our hypothesis that the pandemic would have a lesser effect on these cases, as many of these operations are medically necessary and time-sensitive. 5 Numerous studies demonstrate the need for timely reconstruction in patients with acute or chronic facial palsy, 5 head and neck cancer reconstruction, 23 , 24 and facial trauma 25 - 28 to maximize long-term patient outcomes. Albeit in a small sample size (n = 8), we found that half of all respondents reported a decrease in patient willingness to undergo congenital/craniofacial surgery, as well as a decline in operative volumes.…”

Frailty, Age, ASA Classification, and BMI on Postoperative Morbidity in Mandibular Fracture ORIF

“…Within the field of OHNS, studies highlighting the association between increased BMI and complication rates have been somewhat mixed to date. 1,47,48 Further, there are some who propose a "BMI paradox," as some studies have shown BMI to actually be a protective factor for complications. As BMI is a weaker indicator of a patient's health status versus stronger indicators such as comorbidities, BMI does not seem to be a good standalone prognostic indicator and must be used in conjunction with other prognostic tools.…”

“…This analysis revealed no association of obesity (BMI > 30) with any endpoints on univariate analysis, though it was associated with a decreased rate of prolonged hospitalization in a multivariate analysis. Within the field of OHNS, studies highlighting the association between increased BMI and complication rates have been somewhat mixed to date 1,47,48 . Further, there are some who propose a “BMI paradox,” as some studies have shown BMI to actually be a protective factor for complications.…”

“…andible fractures are common facial bone fractures that are usually a result of trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents (MVAs), physical altercations, falls, or contact sports. 1,2 The most common cause is MVA, making up 49.5% of fractures, followed by physical altercations at 21%. 3 The incidence of mandible fracture is highest within the 25 to 34 age group and overwhelmingly occurs in males (86.8%).…”