Citation

McCarty EC, Kraeutler MJ, Langner P, Cook S, Ellis B, Godfrey JM. Am. J. Orthop. (Belle Mead NJ) 2016; 45(6): E319-E327.

Affiliation

University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO. matthew.kraeutler@ucdenver.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2016, Quadrant Healthcom)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

27737288

Abstract

We conducted a study to identify and contrast patterns in the treatment of common injuries that occur in National Football League (NFL) players and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I American football players. Orthopedic team physicians for all 32 NFL and 119 NCAA Division I football teams were asked to complete a survey regarding demographics and preferred treatment of a variety of injuries encountered in football players. Responses were received from 31 (97%) of the 32 NFL and 111 (93%) of the 119 NCAA team physicians. Although patellar tendon autograft was the preferred graft choice for both groups of team physicians, the percentage of NCAA physicians who allowed return to football 6 months or less after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction was significantly (P =.03) higher than that of NFL physicians. Prophylactic knee bracing, which may prevent medial collateral ligament injuries, was used at a significantly (P <.0001) higher rate by NCAA teams (89%) than by NFL teams (28%). Ketorolac injections were given by a significantly (P <.01) higher percentage of NFL teams (93%) than of NCAA teams (62%). Understanding the current trends in the management of these injuries is beneficial in designing studies that may help improve the treatment and prevention of injuries in football players.

Language: en