The prevalence of Achilles and patellar tendon injuries in Australian football players beyond a time‐loss definition

Abstract

Little is known about the prevalence and associated of morbidity of tendon problems. With only severe cases of tendon problems missing games, players that have their training and performance impacted are not captured by traditional injury surveillance. The aim of this study was to report the prevalence of Achilles and patellar tendon problems in elite male Australian football players using the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC) overuse questionnaire, compared to a time-loss definition. Male athletes from 12 professional Australian football teams were invited to complete a monthly questionnaire over a 9-month period in the 2016 pre- and competitive season. The OSTRC overuse injury questionnaire was used to measure the prevalence and severity of Achilles and patellar tendon symptoms and was compared to traditional match-loss statistics. A total of 441 participants were included. Of all participants, 21.5% (95% CI: 17.9-25.6) and 25.2% (95% CI 21.3-29.4) reported Achilles or patellar tendon problems during the season, respectively. Based on the traditional match-loss definition, a combined 4.1% of participants missed games due to either Achilles or patellar tendon injury. A greater average monthly prevalence was observed during the pre-season compared to the competitive season. Achilles and patellar tendon problems are prevalent in elite male Australian football players. These injuries are not adequately captured using a traditional match-loss definition. Prevention of these injuries may be best targeted during the off- and pre-season due to higher prevalence of symptoms during the pre-season compared to during the competitive season.

Jump‐landing mechanics in patellar tendinopathy in elite youth basketballers

“…Injury severity data (modified participation or time loss from training and competition) demonstrate that athletes with PT may continue to play despite pain and dysfunction . Injury statistics via a traditional time‐loss definition may therefore not reflect the true prevalence of PT . Morbidity costs of PT can be substantial and include reduced performance and functional capacity, associated disability, and premature ending of careers …”

“…2,3 Injury statistics via a traditional time-loss definition may therefore not reflect the true prevalence of PT. 7 Morbidity costs of PT can be substantial and include reduced performance and functional capacity, associated disability, and premature ending of careers. 8 The exact pathogenesis of PT remains unknown and is not completely understood 9 ; however, it is thought that PT is multifactorial in etiology, resulting from the interaction of a number of intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors.…”

Prevalence Of Achilles Tendinopathy and Associated Selected Intrinsic Risk Factors among Nigerian Footballers

“…It is quite detrimental to an athlete's career because it is associated with factors such as psychological discomfort, poor quality of life, time, and productivity loss (14). It has also been associated with functional limitations generally and ankle dorsiflexion has been reportedly reduced as well (12,15). The quest to identify injury risk factors in sports has been ongoing in the world of sports medicine (10).…”

Mechanisms of Action of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Tendon Disease

“…Tendinopathy is a common cause of recurring pain and long-term impairment in leisure and professional athletes, increased age being an additional risk factor. The prevalence of clinically manifest conditions in risk groups is high: in a cohort of football players, 21% suffered from Achilles tendon problems [1]. Moreover, even in clinically healthy volunteers, ultrasonographic evidence of Achilles tendon alterations was found in 16% [2].…”