Video Analysis of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries in Male Professional Basketball Players: Injury Mechanisms, Situational Patterns, and Biomechanics

PurposeTo analyse anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture (ACLR) injury mechanisms in competitive judo using systematic video analysis, focusing on contact situations and biomechanics.MethodsSeventeen videos of judo competitions wherein athletes developed ACLRs were included and retrospectively evaluated by five analysts. In all videos, the moment of initial contact and the index frame were defined. The judo techniques leading to the injury; the occurrence of direct contact, indirect contact or noncontact mechanisms; the time interval between the initial contact and index frame; the positions of the hip, knee and foot in relation to the initial contact and index frame; and the balance status during the initial contact and index frame were recorded.ResultsEleven (65%) of ACLRs in judo involved direct contact. The mean time interval between initial contact and index frame was 15 ± 22 ms. Thirteen (77%) athletes were not balanced at initial contact. In the index frame, the hip was abducted in all cases and in combination with internal rotation in 12 (71%) cases. From initial contact to index frame, hip flexion increased in all cases; at index frame, the knee joint was internally rotated relative to the trunk in 12 (71%) cases, and the knee flexion angles increased from the initial contact. In the index frame, the foot was externally rotated relative to the knee in 12 (71%) cases, and severe valgus development of the knee with valgus collapse was observed in 14 (82%) cases.ConclusionsA direct attack on the knee was the most common injury mechanism observed. Valgus distortion appears to be the most important component of the mechanism of injury. With this knowledge, ‘modified defence reactions’ for specific judo techniques can be developed to reduce the injury risk.Level of EvidenceLevel IV.

Direct contact and very rapid valgus distortion characterise the injury mechanism of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures in judo

Akoto,

Mehl,

Diermeyer

et al. 2024

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries in elite badminton athletes: 84% Return to sport, half return to performance

Tan,

Kaldau,

Lumban‐Gaol

et al. 2024

PurposeBadminton requires fast and pivoting movements, putting athletes at risk of sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. The primary purpose is to investigate the return to sport (RTS) and the return to performance (RTP) after an ACL injury in elite badminton athletes. The secondary purpose is to describe ACL injury mechanisms in elite badminton players.MethodsAthletes within the top 200 of the Badminton World Federation World Ranking who sustained an ACL injury between January 2001 and December 2021 were retrospectively included. An anonymous online survey was created in eight languages. RTS, RTP and contributing factors were analysed among athletes aiming to RTP. The injury mechanism was analysed in all participants.ResultsSixty‐six athletes from 32 countries were included. Fifty‐seven athletes (86.4%) aimed to RTP. Forty‐eight out of 57 (84.2%) did RTS. Twenty‐nine (50.9%) managed to successfully RTP. Forty‐nine (74.2%) of ACL injuries occurred during a competition, 14 (21.2%) occured during training. Thirty‐one (49.2%) occurred in the rear court backhand side and 47 (74.6%) occurred during landing after a jump.ConclusionForty‐eight out of 57 (84.2%) athletes managed to RTS. Half of the athletes managed to successfully RTP. Most of the ACL injuries occurred during competition, in the rear court backhand side and during landing after a jump.Level of EvidenceLevel III.

Sport‐specific differences in ACL injury, treatment and return to sports: Basketball

Kocaoglu,

Yozgatli,

Tischer

et al. 2025

Basketball is an intense, fast‐paced game that is physically, highly demanding. Certain aspects of the game, such as the quick pivoting and cutting movements, predispose the players to serious knee injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. While an ACL tear can be a devastating condition for players, multidisciplinary management of the injury can provide the players with a reasonable chance to return to play at the pre‐injury level. This article aims to review the general principles and guidelines for the management of ACL injury in basketball players. The diagnosis, surgical treatment, rehabilitation and return to sports are discussed from European and North American perspectives. With a comprehensive and multidisciplinary approach to this condition, medical professionals can provide injured basketball players with a favourable prognosis for returning to play at the pre‐injury level. To return to normal life and basketball after ACL reconstruction, the proposed approach includes (1) the selection of the appropriate surgical graft and technique, (2) maintaining a healthy and persistent mental state during rehabilitation, and (3) following a scientific rehabilitation programme based on personalized recovery.Level of EvidenceLevel V.