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Craniofacial Injuries in Rugby: A US National Database Analysis
Cody Suh1, Garv Bhasin2, Thor S Stead3
1Lawrenceville School, Lawrence Township, NJ.
The Journal of Craniofacial Surgery
|February 26, 2025
Summary
Rugby players sustain over 35,000 craniofacial injuries, primarily head and face lacerations and concussions. Implementing protective gear and better tackling techniques can reduce these rugby injuries.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Orthopedics
- Public Health
Background:
- Rugby, unlike American football, lacks protective padding, increasing craniofacial injury risk.
- Research on head and neck injuries in rugby is extensive, but intracranial injury data is limited.
- This study analyzes patterns and differences in rugby-related craniofacial injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze patterns and differences in rugby-related craniofacial injuries.
- To identify common injury sites and diagnoses in rugby players.
- To inform prevention strategies for rugby-related head and face injuries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) data from 2014-2023.
- Analyzed demographic and injury data for rugby players with facial and neck injuries.
- Included ear, mouth, and eye injuries in the craniofacial scope.
Main Results:
- Estimated 35,583 craniofacial injuries occurred during the study period.
- Males accounted for 77.8% of injuries; common sites were head (51.4%), face (35.4%), and neck (5.6%).
- Most frequent diagnoses included lacerations (25.8%), internal injuries (24.9%), and concussions (22.5%).
Conclusions:
- Annual rugby injury rates show a downward trend, from 5033 in 2014 to 2862 in 2023.
- Internal injuries, lacerations, and concussions are the most common diagnoses.
- Enhanced focus on prevention, recovery time, protective equipment, and technique education is crucial for rugby players, especially youth and amateurs.
