A new study published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine examined the affect of orthopedic surgery on professional basketball players in the National Basketball Association.
The researchers examined NBA players who underwent ACL reconstruction, Achilles tendon repair, lumbar discectomy, microfracture, meniscus surgery, hand/wrist or foot fracture fixation and shoulder stabilization surgical procedures. There were 348 players included in the study.
The researchers found:
1. NBA players that underwent hand and wrist surgery reported 98.1 percent return-to-play rate, the highest among all surgical procedures.
2. The lowest return-to-play procedures was Achilles tears, with 70.8 percent return-to-play.
3. The factors that affected return-to-play include athletes 30 years or older and those with a body mass index of 27 or higher.
4. The players who underwent Achilles tendon repair and knee arthroscopy reported significantly greater decline in postoperative performance outcomes at one and three years after surgery.
5. The players who underwent Achilles tendon repair and arthroscopic knee surgery reported shorter careers compared with the players undergoing other procedures.