National Football League Quarterbacks With Ulnar Collateral Ligament Injuries Have High Return-to-Play Rates, but...

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic sports medicine
• Professional football injury epidemiology

Background:

• Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries are significant concerns for quarterbacks in the National Football League (NFL).
• Understanding the patterns, management, and outcomes of these injuries is crucial for player health and team performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiology, injury mechanisms (contact vs. noncontact), and management strategies for NFL quarterbacks with UCL injuries.
• To determine return-to-play (RTP) timelines and assess the impact of UCL injuries on subsequent player performance.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of the Pro Sports Transactions Archive identified NFL quarterbacks with UCL injuries from 1991 to 2023.
• Data collected included age, injury mechanism, management (operative vs. nonoperative), and RTP time.
• Player performance metrics were analyzed using principal component analysis before and after injury.

Main Results:

• Twenty-one UCL injuries were identified in 20 quarterbacks, with a mean age at injury of 28.7 years.
• Noncontact injuries (11) were slightly more common than contact injuries (10). Most injuries (13) were managed nonoperatively.
• Mean RTP was 165.6 days, significantly longer for those undergoing UCL repair or reconstruction (359.0 days vs. 98.25 days). Post-2006 injuries showed improved performance, while older age correlated with diminished performance.

Conclusions:

• NFL quarterbacks are experiencing an increasing rate of noncontact UCL injuries and undergoing surgical repair or reconstruction.
• High RTP rates are achievable, with improved post-injury performance noted for injuries sustained after 2006.
• Older quarterbacks are at greater risk for reduced post-injury performance following UCL injuries.