Professional football players sidelined as a result of ACL injuries are not likely to experience a full recovery or return to play (RTP), especially if the players are less experienced or drafted after the fourth round, according to research published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine.
Vishal Michael Shah, MD, of the Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic in Sugarland, Texas, conducted the study which examined 49 NFL players who underwent surgery for ACL replacement. Of those players, 31 were able to return to the field for slightly less than one year before ending their careers.
The study found that players who had played for four years before the surgery were more likely to return to the field than newer team members. Additionally, the research found that players selected within the first four rounds of the NFL draft were significantly more likely to return to play than later round picks.
Read the abstract for "Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in National Football League Athletes."
Read other coverage on ACL injuries:
- Study: Gender Could Influence Likelihood of Dominant Leg ACL Injury
- Study: Young Patients May Not Need Surgery For a Torn ACL
- AOSSM Study: In-Office Method Identifies ACL Damage Risk
Vishal Michael Shah, MD, of the Richmond Bone and Joint Clinic in Sugarland, Texas, conducted the study which examined 49 NFL players who underwent surgery for ACL replacement. Of those players, 31 were able to return to the field for slightly less than one year before ending their careers.
The study found that players who had played for four years before the surgery were more likely to return to the field than newer team members. Additionally, the research found that players selected within the first four rounds of the NFL draft were significantly more likely to return to play than later round picks.
Read the abstract for "Return to Play After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in National Football League Athletes."
Read other coverage on ACL injuries:
- Study: Gender Could Influence Likelihood of Dominant Leg ACL Injury
- Study: Young Patients May Not Need Surgery For a Torn ACL
- AOSSM Study: In-Office Method Identifies ACL Damage Risk