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Risk and Prognosis of Hamstring Injuries in the National Football League: A 12-Year Review
Ryne Jenkins1, John Bianchi1, Jeremy Watson1
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, New York, USA.
Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine
|December 9, 2024
Summary
More than a third of NFL players experience hamstring reinjury, often within the same season. While previous hamstring injuries don't lengthen recovery, team-specific injury rates vary, suggesting a need for research into prevention and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Epidemiology
- Orthopedics
Background:
- Hamstring injuries are a significant concern for professional football players, impacting careers and performance.
- These injuries represent the most common lower extremity strain, affecting one in four players.
- High reinjury rates (16-38%) and extended recovery periods contribute to the burden of hamstring injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the progression, duration, and risk factors of hamstring injuries in the National Football League (NFL).
- To determine the probability of reinjury among NFL players.
- To analyze team-specific injury rates and injury timing.
Main Methods:
- A descriptive epidemiological study analyzing data from the official NFL injury database (2008-2020).
- Identification of players with hamstring injuries and tracking their time on the injury report (IR).
- Definition of reinjury as any subsequent hamstring injury post-initial diagnosis; analysis of duration and associated factors.
Main Results:
- A total of 2101 hamstring injuries were recorded among 1354 players, with a mean IR duration of 2.4 weeks.
- 33% of players experienced reinjury, with 27% occurring in the same season; reinjury duration was similar to initial injury.
- Defensive and offensive skill players were most affected; significant variation in team injury rates was observed (0.6% to 5.7%).
Conclusions:
- Over a third of players sustain hamstring reinjury, highlighting the lasting impact on careers.
- Previous hamstring injury does not appear to prolong recovery time, but predisposes players to reinjury.
- Variability in team injury rates warrants further investigation into differing preventive and treatment strategies.
