Prevalence of laceration injuries in professional and amateur rugby union: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

BackgroundStudded footwear can cause severe lacerations in rugby union; the prevalence of these injuries is currently unknown.ObjectiveTo summarise the skin and laceration injury prevalence in published epidemiological studies and to investigate any differences in skin injury risk between amateur and professional players.DesignSystematic literature review and meta-analysis of epidemiological studies.Data sourcesPubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and Ovid.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesProspective, epidemiological studies published in English after 1995, measuring a minimum of 400 match or 900 training exposure hours. Participants should be adult rugby union players (amateur or professional). The study should report a separate skin or laceration injury category and provide sufficient detail to calculate injury prevalence within this category.ResultsTwelve studies were included. Mean skin injury prevalence during matches was 2.4 injuries per 1000 exposure hours; during training sessions, the prevalence was 0.06 injuries per 1000 exposure hours. Skin injuries accounted for 5.3% of match injuries and 1.7% of training injuries. Skin injury risk was similar for amateur compared with professional players during matches (OR: 0.63, p=0.46.), but higher during training sessions (OR: 9.24, p=0.02).ConclusionsThe skin injury prevalence of 2.4 injuries per 1000 exposure hours is equivalent to one time-loss injury sustained during matches per team, per season. Amateur players are more likely to sustain skin injuries during training sessions than professional players. There is a need for more studies observing injuries among amateur players.Trial registration numberPROSPERO CRD42015024027.

Injury Risk in New Zealand Rugby Union: A Nationwide Study of Injury Insurance Claims from 2005 to 2017

“…The rate of laceration injuries [27] is much higher among male players than among female players (over 2.7 times as high when compared across all age groups), which may indicate differences between the genders in the perceived acceptability of intentional acts of illegal play such as striking, kicking or trampling on opponents, and/or a more aggressive approach in going into contact situations. Although male players had higher rates of injuries to all body regions when considered across all age groups, the differences were greater for injuries to the shoulder and head/face and smaller for injuries to the knee and ankle.…”

Pull-Up Palms (PUP): A Case of Exercise-Associated Palmar Callosities and Review of Sports-Related Hand-Associated Skin Conditions in Athletes

“…The dermatologic disorders that may develop in athletes can be a direct consequence of the actions involved by the participant or an indirect sequelae of infection or allergy. Similar to our patient with pull-up palms, the designation of specific sports-associated dermatosis has been created by linking the athletic activity and the affected location [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…They include not only infections, but also dermatoses from trauma and contact allergies. Several sports have unique skin conditions that may be observed in participants [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

“…They include sports with balls, racquets, or both. In addition, they include athletic activities requiring firm gripping of mobile or stationary bars such as gymnastics and weight lifting [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20].…”

Padded rugby clothing to prevent laceration and abrasion injuries from stud raking: a method of assessment

“…A recent survey study found that 71% of rugby players have received a laceration injury caused by a rugby stud resulting in them having to leave the field of play [2]. Although laceration and skin injury is generally uncommon in Rugby Union, (approximately 5% of the total incidence of all injuries [3]) players will frequently require stitching and be exposed to infections [4,5]. There is, therefore, a potential benefit of wearing padded clothing if its ability to prevent these types of injuries can be proven.…”